Bio

B.S. ​University of Virginia, 2008M.S. University of Massachusetts, 2010​Ph.D. ​University of Massachusetts, 2013

"I study the ways in which artificial intelligence, games, and other sub-areas of computing can improve education for all."

Mark Richard Floryan, Assistant Professor

 

Research interests include:

Algorithms, Machine Learning

 

I focus on computer science education and the ways in which computing can improve education more generally. I teach core computer science courses (e.g., Data Structures, Algorithms) as well as electives related to my field (e.g., Game Design, Artificial Intelligence, HCI). As a researcher, I strive to get undergraduate students involved in research activities and to continue to investigate the ways in which games, artificial intelligence, and human centered design can create more personalized educational experiences for all.

Awards

  • Hartfield Jefferson Scholars Teaching Prize 2016-2017
  • ACM Professor of the Year, UVa 2013-2014
  • Best Paper Award Nomination; ASEE Zone 1 Conference 2014
  • Best Poster Award; 16th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Education 2013

Research Interests

  • Algorithms
  • Machine Learning

Selected Publications

  • “The Model of Gamification Principles for Digital Health Interventions: Evaluation of Validity and Potential Utility”. Journal of Medical Internet Research 22.6. https://doi.org/10.2196/1 Mark Floryan, Philip I. Chow, Lee M. Ritterband, Stephen Schueller
  • “Principles of gamification for Internet interventions”. Translational Behavioral Medicine, ibz041. https://doi.org/10.1093/tbm/ibz041 (2019). Mark Floryan, Philip I. Chow, Lee M. Ritterband.
  • "Experience, Experiment, Evaluate: A Framework for Assessing Experiential Games". International Journal of Serious Games 4.1 (2017): 15-30. Nicholas Lytle*, Mark Floryan, David Amin*.
  • “Achievement Unlocked: Investigating Which Gamification Elements Motivate Students”. 123rd Annual ASEE Conference and Exposition. New Orleans, LA (2015). Mark Sherriff, Mark Floryan, David Wert*.
  • “A Design Framework for Experiential Educational Games”. Proceedings of the Games and Learning Alliance (GALA) Conference. Rome, Italy (2015). Nicholas Lytle*, Mark Floryan.
  • “Who Needs Help? Automating Student Assessment within Exploratory Learning Environments”. Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Education. Madrid, Spain (2015). Mark Floryan, Toby Dragon, Nada Basit, Suellen Dragon, Beverly Park Woolf.

Courses Taught

  • CS 4730: Computer Game Design
  • CS 4710: Artificial Intelligence
  • CS 4102: Algorithms
  • CS 3205: HCI in Software Development
  • CS 2190: Computer Science Seminar
  • CS 2150: Program and Data Representation
  • CS 2501: Introduction to Game Design
  • CS 1501: Neural Networks in Application *Student Taught Class
  • CS 1501: Cracking the Coding Interview *Student Taught Class