Amanda Barany

I am the Assistant Research Director Penn Center for Learning Analytics (PCLA) at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education.

My research interests include:

1. The design and implementation of play-based experiences (games, digital learning platforms) to support achievement, motivation and identity development in learners using approaches that expand on traditional educational pedagogy.

2. Refining approaches to automate qualitative data analysis procedures, including the use of large language models for automated qualitative coding and codebook development. 

3. Quantitative Ethnographic techniques for exploring and understanding complex data. 

I earned my PhD from the Educational Leadership and Learning Technologies program at Drexel University, working in the Games and Learning for Interactive Digital Environments lab to design targeted game-based learning interventions to support student success.