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I am Ph.D. student in the Dept. of Teaching, Learning and Culture at Texas A&M University, USA. My research interest lies at the intersection of engineering education, computing education, and use of technology in education. I (co-)design tech/non-tech interventions to enhance learning experiences.
Research interests: Technology enhanced learning, computing education, learning sciences, engineering education, co-design.
Academic Background
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Curriculum & Instruction (pursuing) Fall 2024 - till date
Texas A&M University, USA
Master of Technology (M. Tech.) in Educational Technology 2020 - 2023
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, India
Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) in Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering 2013 - 2017
Vidyalankar Institute of Technology (affiliated to University of Mumbai), India
Research Experience
Graduate Assistant Research August 2024 - till date
Teaching, Learning, and Culture, Texas A&M University, USA
Project Research Engineer (at Affectbots, a TIH-IoT IITB funded project) October, 2023 - June, 2024
IDP in Educational Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, India
Sr. Project Technical Assistant (at e-Yantra, a Ministry of Education funded project) August, 2017 - August, 2023
Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, India
Publications
Aldemir, T., Moon, J., Bicer, A., Byun, G., Perez, C. M., & Sabanwar, V. (2025). How Non-CS preservice teachers conceptualize and engage with computational thinking through 3D game design: Insights from an XR-enhanced maker experience. Computers & Education: X Reality, 6, 100099.
Selected Peer-reviewed Conference Proceedings
Sabanwar, V., Aldemir, T., Kilinc, S., Bicer, A., & Song, D. (2026). How Middle School Students Engage in Computational Literacies in an Agricultural Class. Proceedings of the 20th International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS). International Society of the Learning Sciences.
Kilinc, S., Aldemir, T., Sabanwar, V., Bicer, A., & Song, D. (2026). Planners and Tinkerers: A Comparative Case Study of K-12 Students’ Engagement with Data Practices in an Ag-STEM. Proceedings of the 20th International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS). International Society of the Learning Sciences.
Aldemir, T., Kilinc, S., Sabanwar, V., Bicer, A., & Song, D. (2026). Disciplinary Computational Thinking in AI-Mediated Problem Framing: A Rural Ag-STEM Context. Proceedings of the 20th International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS). International Society of the Learning Sciences.
Jadhav, S., Sabanwar, V., & Patil, D. (2025). Fostering Engineering Design Self-Efficacy and Problem-Solving Skills in the Era of Generative AI: Insights from an Exploratory Workshop. To appear in the proceedings of the International Conference on Technology 4 Education (T4E 2025).
Sabanwar, V. (2025). Co-Designing With Teachers: A Student-Centered Approach to Integrating Computational Thinking in Non-CS K–12 Classrooms. In Proceedings of the 2025 ACM Conference on International Computing Education Research V. 2 (pp. 38-39).
Sabanwar, V., Trimukhe, P., Gudla, A., Kamone, I., & Arya, K. (2023). Improving learning experience to teach FPGA design at scale. Proceedings of the 16th Annual ACM India Compute Conference (COMPUTE '23), 31-36.
Sabanwar, V., Dasgupta, C., & Arya, K. (2023). Reflective prompts for productive uncertainty management: Enabling shift in positional framing. Proceedings of the International Conference on Technology 4 Education (T4E 2023), 265-268.
Sabanwar, V., Dasgupta, C., & Arya, K. (2023). Fostering productive uncertainty management in engineering problem-solving through reflective prompts. Proceedings of the 17th International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS 2023), 1912-1913. International Society of the Learning Sciences.
Sabanwar, V., Trimukhe, P., Gudla, A., Kamone, I., & Arya, K. (2022). The learning must go on: Experience of keeping participants engaged in online robotics competition during COVID-19 lockdown. Proceedings of the 16th International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS 2022), 448-455. International Society of the Learning Sciences.
(Best paper award nomination) Nishane, I., Sabanwar, V., Lakshmi, T. G., Singh, D., & Rajendran, R. (2021). Learning about learners: Understanding learner behaviours in software conceptual design TELE. 2021 International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies (ICALT), 297-301. IEEE.
Under Review/In Progress*
[J] (Under Review: Revise and Resubmit) Aldemir, T., Kilinc, S., Misiejuk, K., Kaliisa, R., Sabanwar, V., Bicer, A., Song, D., & Yalvac, B. A Mixed-Methods Analysis of AI Scaffolding Patterns and Student Inquiry Profiles in a Middle-School Agriculture-STEM Classroom.
[J] (Under Review) Sabanwar, V. et al. A Systematic Review of Empirical Research on AI in K-12 STEM Education (2020-2025) through a Sociotechnical Lens.
[J] (Draft) Sabanwar, V. et al. XR Technologies in Undergraduate Engineering Education: A Scoping Review (2020-2026).
[J] (Draft) Sabanwar, V. & Dasgupta, C. Uncertain? Reflect And Act: The Interplay Between Uncertainty and Actions for Productive Engineering Design.
*J = Journal, C = Conference Proceedings, P = Conference Poster/Presentation
Academic service (Peer Reviewer/ PC Member)
ISLS (2022 - '25), CogSci (2025), AERA (2024, 2026), ICCE (2023 - '25), T4E (2023 - '25), COMPUTE (2023 - '24), ITiCSE (2022 - '23), SIGCSE TS (2022), IEEE FIE (2020).
Awards & Recognition
Graduate Student Travel Award 2025-26, Texas A&M University ($1000).
TLAC Grad Student Travel Award 2025-26, Texas A&M University ($2800).
TLAC Grad Student Travel Award 2024-25, Texas A&M University ($1200).
ICER 2025 DC Travel Award (equivalent to $1300).
Lechner Graduate Grant 2024, Texas A&M University ($875).
(Best paper award nomination) Nishane, I., Sabanwar, V., Lakshmi, T. G., Singh, D., & Rajendran, R. (2021). Learning about learners: Understanding learner behaviours in software conceptual design TELE. 2021 International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies (ICALT), 297-301. IEEE.
IITB Conference Travel Grant (2019) of INR 140,000 (approx. $1600).
Outstanding Volunteer Service, ISLS Annual Meeting 2026.
Exceptional Volunteer Service (2024, 2025, 2026), EdTech Society.
Professional milestones
Co-taught 80+ middle school students in basics of data collection and analysis with arduino and sensors.
Co-mentored over 4200 students in embedded systems, robotics and engineering design thinking through e-Yantra robotics competition. Details here.
Conducted 18 professional development sessions (180+ colleges, 600+ teachers) across India on introduction to robotics as a part of the e-Yantra Lab Setup Initiative; including 2 sessions conducted for corporate clients. Details here.
Mentored over 15 interns.
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