Yvonne Kao is a computer science, data science, and mathematics education researcher who focuses on the design and evaluation of instructional materials and educational technology for all age groups. She is most energized by working directly with teachers, teacher leaders, and product developers through research-practice partnerships that address significant problems of educational practice. Her research uses a range of approaches from large-scale cluster-randomized trials to smaller behavioral studies. Kao also regularly participates in statewide and national committees to improve computer science, data science, and mathematics education and the use of educational technology. Most recently, she was a member of the National Academies working group on data science assessment. In 2020 she served as the chair of the Vision for Teaching and Learning working group for the EdTech Genome Project sponsored by the EdTech Evidence Exchange. From 2017 to 2019, she was a writer for the California state computer science standards and strategic implementation plan.
Dr. Kao received her BS in Computer Science, Mathematics, and Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her PhD in Cognitive Psychology from Carnegie Mellon University.
- Grades K–2
- Grades 3–5
- Grades 6–8
- Grades 9–12
- Computer Science and Technology
- Mathematics
- Research, Data, and Assessments
- Randomized controlled trials
- Federal Agency