Austin Cory Bart

Austin Cory Bart is an Associate Professor at the University of Delaware specializing in Computer Science Education and Learning Sciences. With expertise spanning both software development and educational theory, he creates technological tools to support diverse learning experiences across multiple educational levels.

Education:

• PhD in Computer Science (2017), Virginia Tech
• Certification in Learning Sciences (2015), Virginia Tech
• Honors Bachelor with Distinction (2012), University of Delaware

Bart's research centers on Digital Education, which integrates Computer Science Education and Learning Sciences. In Computer Science Education, he develops methods to improve student performance through better feedback systems and classroom tools, with special attention to increasing diversity in computing fields. His Learning Sciences work investigates how people learn and how to design effective educational software. He explores structuring learning experiences with clear expectations, providing targeted feedback to address misconceptions, and designing materials that support students' agency, self-efficacy, and motivation.

He has created numerous educational technologies including BlockPy (a dual block/text Python environment), Pedal (a Python feedback analysis toolset), Bakery (Python curriculum for CS1), and the CORGIS project (educational datasets). His work emphasizes addressing challenges of teaching introductory computer science to students with diverse backgrounds and skill levels.

Bart is committed to supporting education and diversity in computer science. He recognizes that effective digital education requires integrating knowledge from software engineering, learning sciences, data science, and cognitive science. His goal is to create technical scaffolding that supports educational experiences from kindergarten through undergraduate levels.