#1198: How AI Can Improve Student Learning Motivation and Engagement While Reducing Faculty and Admin Burden

My Learning Coach (MLC) is an AI-powered software application designed to enhance student engagement by providing real-time, data-driven guidance. MLC addresses persistent student disengagement and the need for durable human skills (critical thinking, resilience, agency) in the age of AI. Grounded in learning science, including Expectancy-Value-Cost (EVC) Theory and Bloom’s Taxonomy, MLC detects learning motivation via biweekly "State of Mind" (SOM) check-ins and correlates this affective data with behavioral metrics such as Learning Management System (LMS) data. This demo session showcases the MLC workflow: from a student completing a check-in to receiving personalized guidance, and how faculty utilize the same tool to make in situ pedagogical adjustments. Early randomized controlled trials at UC Irvine demonstrated an increase of 2.1 study hours per week and 11.2% more LMS pageviews among MLC users compared to their peers. MLC directly aligns with the National Academies' recommendations for transforming undergraduate STEM education.