Personal sensing and education

Jordany Roman-Gonzalez

Personal sensing, also known as digital phenotyping, is the collection of a person’s daily data through their mobile device. My topic is on the use of personal sensing in the education field. One of the current studies used Fitbits and college students to monitor their mental health. The college students also had to fill out an Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) questionnaire when a stressful event occurred. Another study also used the EMA questionnaire for college students to learn about their Fitbits and smartwatches. The last study used wearable devices, smartphone features, and the PSS and MCS questionnaires to understand college students’ mental health. This research could impact our lives because this information can help students become self-aware of how their interactions with their mobile devices may impact their mental health. It can also help their parents understand and help their child’s mental well-being. I will pursue the Ingenuity Innovation Practicum and hope to work with a mentor in the Information Systems Department at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, so I can learn more about the connection between machine learning and mental health.