BETHMEHEM, PA — Dr. Juan Zheng, assistant professor in the Teaching, Learning, and Technology program at Lehigh University’s College of Education, has been awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation to support her groundbreaking project, “Meta-Partner: Hybrid Intelligence for Self-Regulated Learning.”
Over the next two years, Dr. Zheng and her research team will develop Meta-Partner, an artificial intelligence (AI) system designed to help students set learning goals, adjust strategies, monitor progress, and reflect on their educational journeys—all while building critical AI literacy and self-regulation skills.
The project addresses a pressing national need: preparing a diverse and inclusive workforce for the rapidly evolving AI-driven future. “Millions are already using AI, but few people know how to use it in an informed and strategic way,” Dr. Zheng explained. “Our goal is to teach students not just the concepts of AI, but how to approach problems, think critically, and regulate their learning, skills that are essential for success in any field that will use AI as a tool.”
Meta-Partner will be integrated into AIResolver, an existing online problem-based learning platform. The system will guide students through complex problem-solving scenarios, such as designing classification systems for scientific research, by providing real-time, personalized support. As students interact with the platform, Meta-Partner will generate initial learning goals, create automated notes, visualize progress, and compose reflections, all of which students can review and refine. This iterative, human-AI collaboration is designed to deepen metacognitive engagement and foster independent learning.
The research will focus on high school and undergraduate students from non-computer science backgrounds, particularly in rural areas, to ensure the benefits of AI education reach underserved communities. Through a robust evaluation involving both quantitative and qualitative methods, the project will examine how Meta-Partner impacts students’ cognitive, motivational, and emotional engagement with AI problem-solving.
“We believe that by making AI education more accessible and engaging, we can help bridge the digital divide and empower students who might otherwise be left behind,” said Dr. Zheng.
Beyond teaching the technical concepts of AI, the project aims to equip students with software skills, critical thinking abilities, and the self-regulation strategies needed to thrive in a workforce where AI is ubiquitous. Dr. Zheng emphasized the importance of learning to use AI strategically and responsibly: “Just as the internet and online learning brought both opportunities and risks, AI will reshape how we learn and work. Our research will help students navigate these changes and use AI as a partner in their learning.”
Meta-Partner’s open-source design ensures that its impact will extend far beyond the initial study, allowing other educational institutions and platforms to adopt and adapt the technology. By pioneering the integration of hybrid intelligence into self-regulated learning, Dr. Zheng’s work has the potential to transform AI education practices and prepare the next generation for a future where human and artificial intelligence work in tandem.
ABOUT LEHIGH UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Lehigh’s College of Education offers premier graduate-level programs focused on high-impact research, interdisciplinary applications, evidence-based practices, and partnerships at the local, national, and international level.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.
