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Advancing Evidence-Based Video Instruction in STEM Learning

Andrea Horsman on December 11, 2025

 

 

Logan Fiorella, OIBR Distinguished Scholar and associate professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Georgia, is advancing our understanding of how instructional videos can more effectively support student learning—particularly in STEM education. His newest project builds directly on earlier findings showing that students often learn better when they watch an instructor draw diagrams during a lesson rather than viewing fully completed visuals. What remains unknown, however, is why this advantage occurs and under what conditions it is most impactful.

A Research Partnership Rooted in Shared Interests

To answer these questions, Fiorella teamed up with Dr. Deborah Barany in the Department of Kinesiology at UGA. Barany specializes in the neuroscience of motor control and learning through action observation using methods such as fMRI and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Together, they are examining whether attentional and action-observation networks in the brain play a role in how students learn from watching an instructor draw.

Their partnership began several years ago while studying how drawing affected learning among medical students. Because their interests naturally intersect—Fiorella’s work on learning through drawing and Barany’s expertise in action observation—the current project became a seamless continuation of their earlier collaboration. Fiorella gains the opportunity to investigate the neural mechanisms behind effective instruction, while Barany extends her work into applied educational contexts.

Why This Project Matters

Instructional videos are used widely across education, yet many are created based on intuition rather than research. Fiorella’s project is part of a growing effort to identify evidence-based principles for designing engaging, effective video lessons. Observing an instructor create drawings is a promising strategy because it may help guide students’ attention, break complex ideas into manageable steps, and tap into humans’ natural tendency to learn from others’ actions.

Through a series of controlled experiments—including a culminating fMRI study—the team aims to distinguish between two explanations for why instructor drawing aids learning: Are the benefits primarily related to how the drawings guide attention? Or do learners absorb information more effectively because they are watching human movement unfold?

Surprises and Challenges in Studying Learning

Fiorella notes that even seemingly simple learning tasks become surprisingly complex once experiments are designed. Learning outcomes can be influenced by prior knowledge, motivation, cognitive abilities, material difficulty, structure, and the type of outcome being measured. Aligning these elements is essential—and often far more intricate than expected.

Another major challenge is balancing experimental control with real-world application. While research requires carefully controlled conditions, the goal is also to develop recommendations that work in authentic classroom settings. Designing studies that meet both goals remains a persistent challenge.

What Makes the Work Most Rewarding

For Fiorella, the most meaningful aspect of his research is mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. He enjoys guiding them through developing questions, designing studies, and building their own research programs. He also finds it rewarding to share findings with educators, frequently presenting work to UGA faculty and students interested in evidence-based teaching.

The Impact of Collaboration

Fiorella credits much of his progress to collaborations across disciplines. Working with colleagues such as Dr. Paula Lemons and Dr. Erin Dolan in Biochemistry, and Dr. Allison Jaeger in Cognitive Psychology at Mississippi State University, has allowed him to examine instructional questions in context-rich environments. These partnerships ensure that psychological mechanisms are paired with deep disciplinary expertise.

Looking Ahead: The Role of Habit in Learning

Over the next five years, Fiorella plans to focus more on how students’ habits affect their self-regulation of learning. Many students intend to use effective learning strategies but rely instead on familiar, less-productive routines. His undergraduate course on the Psychology of Habit explores how these habits form, how they shape study behavior, and how habit-focused interventions may help students adopt more beneficial learning practices.

Written by: Andrea Horsman
December 12, 2025

Harnessing AI to Advance Maternal Health

Andrea Horsman on October 13, 2025

Two people stand back to back outdoors, arms crossed and smiling, with greenery and a brick building in the background.
Soroya McFarlane (left) and Ishtiaque Fazlul (right)

When Dr. Soroya McFarlane, OIBR Grant Development Program Graduate and assistant professor in Communication Studies, first began exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) could intersect with her maternal health research, she wasn’t aiming to create just another digital tool. Instead, she imagined a way to transform how critical, often lifesaving, information is shared with women and their families. That vision is now coming to life through THRIVE AI, a groundbreaking project supported by the NIH AIM-AHEAD Program for Artificial Intelligence Readiness (PAIR).

From the THRIVE Project to THRIVE AI

McFarlane’s earlier initiative, the THRIVE Project, focused on empowering families during childbirth with accessible, evidence-based resources. As she looked for ways to expand its reach, she identified natural language processing (NLP) as a promising tool to simplify complex scientific information into everyday language.

Her path forward became clear when she discovered the AIM-AHEAD PAIR program, which offered both advanced AI training and funding. “It was the perfect opportunity,” McFarlane explains. “PAIR gave me the tools to deepen my expertise in AI while also supporting my mission to provide resources for birth companions and families.”

Collaboration Sparked at OIBR

The seeds of this project were planted during an OIBR working group meeting on social science and computational methods. There, McFarlane connected with Dr. Ishtiaque Fazlul, Co-PI, and OIBR affiliate and assistant professor in the College of Public Health and School of Public & International Affairs. Their shared interests—maternal health communication and computational approaches—made collaboration a natural fit. Together, they bring complementary expertise: McFarland in communication science, Fazlul in causal inference and machine learning.

OIBR has been a key connector throughout this journey, helping McFarlane navigate UGA’s research ecosystem and build the infrastructure needed to secure funding and launch the project.

Addressing Black Maternal Health Disparities

In the U.S., Black women are three to five times more likely to die from childbirth-related causes than their white counterparts—regardless of education, geography, or pre-existing conditions.

For McFarlane, many of these inequities are rooted in fundamental communication problems: women not being heard, medical information shared in inaccessible ways, and misaligned or inappropriate treatments.

“Communication science gives us theories and strategies to contribute to solutions,” she says. “By applying AI thoughtfully, we can create interventions that ensure Black women and their families feel informed, supported, and heard.” 

Community at the Center

One of the most rewarding aspects of the THRIVE project, McFarlane emphasizes, is its community-engaged approach. From the earliest proposal stages, community partners have been active collaborators, helping shape the project’s direction and ensuring that the tools being built reflect real-world needs.

“The most gratifying part,” she shares, “is having communities as experts by experience, not just as research subjects. That validation keeps us focused on creating solutions with real-world impact.”

Navigating Surprises and Challenges

Even with UGA’s nearly 50-year history of artificial intelligence research, McFarlane’s team discovered they were the first on campus to attempt direct procurement with OpenAI. “It was surprising to realize how new some aspects of this work still are within our institution,” she notes.

Another ongoing challenge is the fast pace of the AI field. While academic research is methodical by design, AI evolves daily. “We’re learning as we go—building expertise and conducting studies—while also making sure our results aren’t outdated by the time they’re complete,” McFarlane says.

Building a National Network

Through the PAIR program, McFarlane has gained access to a national network of scholars working at the intersection of AI and health equity. Partnerships with institutions like Meharry Medical College are opening doors for collaboration with computer science faculty and students tackling similar projects. These connections not only expand the scope of THRIVE AI but also enhance its potential to positively impact maternal health outcomes on a national scale.

Looking Ahead

Over the next five years, McFarlane envisions the THRIVE platform becoming a widely adopted resource across hospitals nationwide. The goal is not only to improve clinical outcomes but also to transform the birthing experience, reducing fear, increasing satisfaction, and helping underserved communities take an active role in their care.

“The real measure of success,” McFarlane reflects, “is when research moves off the page and into tools that directly support families.”

Learn More

The Thrive Project

The Conchus Lab

 

Written by: Andrea Horsman. Oct. 10, 2025

2026 OIBR Pivot Fund

Andrea Horsman on March 13, 2025

The OIBR Pivot Fund 2026 allows researchers to continue to conduct important work, while responding to the current funding climate. Funds can be used to collect data, purchase data sets or equipment, or for other needs, as identified by the investigator, to facilitate submission of an external grant proposal. Funds cannot be used for conference travel or personnel funding (faculty or student). The budget cannot exceed $5,000.

The application should contain: 1) one paragraph describing your current research; 2) one to two sentences explaining how you are pivoting your research; 3) one page describing the project for which you are seeking funding, your qualifications for conducting the proposed research, and intended external grant mechanism(s); 4) budget, budget justification, and timeline; and 5) a current CV.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis by the OIBR Leadership Team. Send applications (as a single pdf in the order listed above) to oibr@uga.edu, with the subject line “Pivot Funds.”

Foundation Funding

Andrea Horsman on February 7, 2025

Alzheimer’s Association
https://www.alz.org
The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.

American Association for Cancer Research
https://www.aacr.org/
Through its programs and services, the AACR fosters research in cancer and related biomedical science; accelerates the dissemination of new research findings among scientists and others dedicated to the conquest of cancer; promotes science education and training; and advances the understanding of cancer etiology, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment throughout the world.

American Council of Learned Societies
https://www.acls.org/
ACLS supports the creation and circulation of knowledge that advances understanding of humanity and human endeavors in the past, present, and future, with a view toward improving human experience.

American Heart Association
https://pages.heart.org/
When you donate, you drive innovation. Since 1949, your generosity has helped fuel a $5.7 billion investment in research, funding over 47,000 projects—including the work of 14 Nobel Prize-winning scientists. In 2022 alone, we enabled 868 new projects with $178 million in grants, accelerating discoveries like cholesterol inhibitors and drug-coated stents. Be part of the next breakthrough by donating today.

American Psychological Foundation
https://ampsychfdn.org/
We leverage the power of philanthropy to advance psychological knowledge by investing in innovative research and applications that prioritize people and their well-being.

American SIDS Institute
https://sids.org/
Research is being conducted all over the world to better understand sleep related sudden infant deaths. The American SIDS Institute is involved in research looking at the tissue of infants who have died suddenly and with research studying live infants. This dual approach will hopefully help us understand more about vulnerabilities that make infants more likely to die suddenly.

Arthur W. Page Center for Integrity
https://pagecenter.psu.edu
The Arthur W. Page Center for Integrity in Public Communication is a research center at the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State dedicated to the study and advancement of ethics and responsibility in all forms of public communication.

 Athens Area Community Foundation
https://athensareacf.org/
We envision a community with sufficient philanthropic resources, harnessed to enhance civic engagement, a vibrant regional economy, a nimble workforce, effective schools, affordable housing, accessible healthcare, efficient public transportation, supportive services for the most vulnerable, strong cultural amenities, and environmental sustainability.

Best Buy Foundation
https://www.bestbuyfoundation.org
The Best Buy Foundation™ conducts its work via a strategic grant portfolio, in partnership with nonprofit organizations across the country that share our focus on supporting young people in building brighter futures through tech access, career training and the cultivation of vibrant communities.

Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
https://bbrfoundation.org/
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation is committed to alleviating the suffering caused by mental illness by awarding grants that will lead to advances and breakthroughs in scientific research.

Center for the Science of Moral Understanding
https://www.moralunderstanding.com/
The Center harnesses a key insight—that much political disagreement is moral disagreement. To increase tolerance and civility, we need to understand the nature of moral judgment and the interpersonal processes that transform divergent moral judgments into conflict. The Center therefore connects moral and social psychology with related disciplines of neuroscience, political science, sociology, history, philosophy, economics, and legal studies.

Foundation for Child Development
https://www.fcd-us.org/
Our Mission is to harness the power of research to ensure that all young children benefit from early learning experiences that affirm their individual, family, and community assets, fortify them against harmful consequences arising from poverty, racism, prejudice, and discrimination, and strengthen their developmental potential.

Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation
https://www.hfg.org/
The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation examines enduring and urgent problems of violence, such as war, crime, and human aggression. Through basic and applied research, we aim to understand the causes, manifestation, and control of violence. We spread this knowledge to inform policy, practice, and public discourse and to advance scholarship.

Health Foundation for Western and Central NY
https://hfwcny.org/
Our mission is to improve the health and health care of the people and communities of western and central New York.

Heterodox Academy
https://heterodoxacademy.org/
Heterodox Academy (HxA) is the leading membership organization for faculty, staff, and students who want to ensure that our universities are places where intellectual curiosity thrives.

Hilton Foundation
https://www.hiltonfoundation.org/
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation invests in organizations tackling some of the world’s toughest challenges. We think big about solutions, working in partnership with local communities to improve lives, strengthen systems and advocate for change. Our approach is rooted in our values and inspired by the resilience of the communities with whom we work worldwide, with a special focus on Africa, South America and the United States, including our home in Los Angeles.

Howard Hughes Medical Institute
https://www.hhmi.org/
Our scientists pursue bold ideas to make breakthroughs in our fundamental understanding of biology and human health.

Institute for Healthcare Advancement
https://www.iha4health.org/
As experts in health literacy, communications, and community health needs, we know that improved health starts with understanding and equity. IHA empowers, educates, and supports health professionals and organizations through world-class learning tools, conferences, resources, and consulting. Professionals engaging in our initiatives see significant improvements in professional development, workplace effectiveness, and health equity for all they serve.

Jacobs Foundation
https://jacobsfoundation.org/
Our work is dedicated to giving every child a quality education. We believe this can only be achieved if education policy and practice are supported by evidence of what works best for children. We therefore invest in the world’s premier research to discover how children learn, promote the use of evidence in teaching and learning, and support countries to shape and implement education policies based on evidence.

James S McDonnell Foundation
https://www.jsmf.org/
The James S. McDonnell Foundation (JSMF) envisions a thriving St. Louis region where inclusive growth elevates shared prosperity and quality of life. Our mission is to invest in organizations and initiatives working to improve economic mobility for St. Louisans facing the starkest disparities.

Louisville Institute
https://louisville-institute.org/
Funded by the Religion Division of Lilly Endowment, Louisville Institute awards grants and fellowships to those who lead and study North American religious institutions, practices, and movements, advancing scholarship to strengthen church, academy, and wider society.

Mental Research Institute
https://mri.org/
At the Mental Research Institute (MRI) we explore and support the development of innovative interactional systemic approaches to understanding and improving human relationships.

National Center for Problem Gaming – Now ICRF (International Center for Responsible Gaming) – https://www.icrg.org/
Since its founding in 1996, the ICRG has launched a thriving field of study to explore gambling disorder and responsible gambling and has funded some of the most important research in the United States and around the world.

National MS Society
https://www.nationalmssociety.org/
As the largest MS organization in the world and the global leader of the MS movement, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is the best investment to reach MS cures. We’ve achieved more advances in MS than have been achieved for any other neurological condition — and we’re not done yet.

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
https://www.pcori.org/
The (PCORI) is an independent, nonprofit research funding organization that seeks to empower patients and others with actionable information about their health and healthcare choices.

Patty Brisben Foundation – Now SHE+ Foundation
https://www.sheplusfoundation.com/
SHE+ serves to enhance women’s sexual health and well-being through research and education. By focusing on eight key areas that have a dramatic impact on women’s sexual health, we’re able to provide support and fund research where it is needed most, to help improve the lives of the highest number of women.

Pfizer
https://www.pfizer.com/about/responsibility/global-impact/the-pfizer-foundation
The Pfizer Foundation’s mission is to help build healthier communities around the world. We invest in community-led partnerships and solutions to address today’s complex global health challenges, respond to urgent health needs, and empower Pfizer colleagues to make an impact where they live, work, and beyond.

Public Health Institute
https://www.phi.org/
PHI and its programs improve health, equity and wellness by discovering new research, strengthening key partnerships and programs, and advancing sound public health policies. Our hundreds of programs have impacted millions of people, creating an architecture that will continue to impact communities for generations to come.

Public Health Management Corp, Formerly Treatment Research Institute -TRI
https://www.phmc.org/site/index.php
PHMC is a nonprofit public health institute that builds healthier communities through partnerships with government, foundations, businesses and community-based organizations. It fulfills its mission to improve the health of the community by providing outreach, health promotion, education, research, planning, technical assistance, and direct services.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
https://www.rwjf.org/
RWJF, fellow philanthropies, non-profits, and grantee organizations are working together to transform inequitable systems and social practices that uphold inequity. Our vision is to build a future where everyone has a fair and just opportunity to achieve their fullest health and wellbeing. This vision and the strategic framework designed to advance it were created in collaboration with community voices, equity thought leaders, and researchers.

Russel Sage Foundation
https://www.russellsage.org/
It dedicates itself to strengthening the methods, data, and theories of the social sciences in order to better understand societal problems and develop informed responses.

Society for Research in Child Development
https://www.srcd.org/
The Society for Research in Child Development advances the developmental sciences and promotes the use of developmental research to improve human lives.

Spencer Foundation
https://www.spencer.org/
We believe education research is integral to improving education, making education systems more equitable, and increasing opportunities to learn across the lifespan.

Templeton Foundation
https://www.templeton.org/
We support interdisciplinary research and catalyze conversations that enable people to pursue lives of meaning and purpose.

USAA Educational Foundation
https://usaaef.org
The USAA Educational Foundation offers free financial education resources from experts in personal finance and military life.

Vera Institute of Justice
https://www.vera.org/
Vera’s mission is to end the overcriminalization and mass incarceration of people of color, immigrants, and people experiencing poverty. We pilot real-world programs developed with community members and the government.

William T Grant Foundation
https://wtgrantfoundation.org/
The William T. Grant Foundation invests in high-quality research focused on reducing inequality in youth outcomes and improving the use of research evidence in decisions that affect young people in the United States.

Williams Syndrome Association
https://www.williams-syndrome.org/
The Williams Syndrome Association (WSA) works to advance the interests of all individuals with Williams syndrome throughout their lifespan by providing programming and resources, supporting research, promoting partnerships and connections, and ensuring that the infrastructure of the organization has the capacity to lead our community toward its goals.