
Sai Gattupalli
Hello and namasté.
I am Sai and I am a Research Assistant in the College of Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. My interests lie in the fields of intelligent tutoring systems, math learning dis/abilities in adult learners, remote instruction, behavioral inquiry into web-mediated learning and communication, computational thinking, web design and accessibility.
Affiliations
My Work
Although my research portfolio covers several topics, my core focus lies in math education. Here is what I think about it.
Why is math important?
Math is a life-skill. It is applied overwhelmingly in several domains and disciplines. Math helps us quantify and organize our daily habits. Broader cognitive abilities, problem solving and logic are associated with math solving skills. These qualities have direct implications in the workplace and therefore drive STEM innovation.
What is the current state of math education?
With the COVID-19 pandemic further propelling remote learning and hybrid models as our primary medium of classroom content delivery, K12 (and higher ed) math instruction is being delivered in ways more fragmented than ever before. This contributes to an even wider gap between learning gains vs student interest in math education. Meaning, the core essence of math is being delivered unevenly and inequitably than ever before.
What am I doing about it?
It is important that we understand there is a severe lack of STEM workforce in the US, to start with. My research focuses on various intersections where Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) are used to address math problem solving issues in adult learners (and Grade 6+ learners). ITS are advanced programs that instantly adapt to learner's math solving behavior and math performance. They provide "scaffolding" and encouragement, and help deliver positive learning outcomes.
I work on these measurements, and quantify math learning ability and achievement among "at-risk" adult learners. I make improvements that yield new positive outcomes, develop core math content, find new patterns, educate teachers and the community.
Under guidance from my advisors -
Ivon Arroyo, Ed.D., Torrey Trust, Ph.D. and Elizabeth McEneaney, Ph.D.
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Work Experience
Research Assistant
Advanced Learning Technologies Lab, UMass Amherst
2019 - Present
Assess "at-risk" adult learners' affective states and learning performance through Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS)Analyze relationship between learning technologies and affect and gritInvestigate and predict learners' math learning outcomes using deep learning for facial featuresImprove student computational thinking ability through technology and embodied game play. Read more....
3D Printing Assistant
Digital Media Lab, UMass Amherst
2019 - 2019
Assess and offer advise to patron-designed 3D modelsDetect build issues using slicing softwareMaintain individual device print schedule and prioritize job queuesProvide projected completion of printsMonitor and troubleshoot 3D printing equipment for errorsPrepare and load material into production equipment
Instructional Technology Specialist
Merrimack College
2018 - 2019
Provide leadership in maintaining high quality technology integration into teaching and learningWork closely with the CETL Department (Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning) and design useful teaching resources for faculty and staffOversee transition and provide support for pilot learning management systems (LMS)Research use of newer technologies for in-person and remote instructionProject Manager for campus-wide digital signage systemRecommend hardware and software for uninterrupted instructional delivery
Graduate Assistant | Digital, Web and Social Media Assistant
The Girard School of Business, Merrimack College
2016 - 2017
Manage school's official online social portfolio Analyze student performance data and create reportsCommunicate with student body using weekly newsletterAssist in event planning and communication strategy
Graphic Design and Social Media Intern
The School of Liberal Arts, Merrimack College
2016 - 2017
Manage school's online social portfolioResponsible for remote setup and maintenance of Windows IOT clients running digital signage softwareProcure hard- and softwareTest and evaluate new releases
Mobile App Developer, User Experience & Design Intern
Merrimack College
2016 - 2017
Identify features and design prototypesDesign interfaces to improve user experienceFind and fix bugs, test, deploy and maintain production assets Work closely with academic departments to constantly innovate app functionality and designEnsure the best app performance and user experience of the app Use and adapt existing web applications for apps
People Manager - Critical Incident, Problem and Change Management
Global Datacenter Operations/NOC
HCL Technologies
2012 - 2015
Manage Critical Incident and Problem Manager personnel across NA, EMEA and APAC geosResponsible for avoiding data center outages through proactive measures, both hybrid and cloud infraLead support tracks during outages; notify C-level stakeholders Host Chance Advisory Board (CAB) meetings with business and IT stakeholdersExpertise in Incident Management, Change Management, Problem Management and Asset ManagementExpertise in tools such as ServiceNow, SolarWinds, Nimsoft, XYMon and OpManagerExpertise in Incident Management, Change Management, Problem Management and Asset ManagementAnalyze event logs for postmortem reportsCreate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for technical tracks
Senior Technical and Systems Specialist
IBM
2010 - 2012
Provide IT assistance to staff and customersUpdate, maintain and monitor all aspects of computer networksMaintain domino databases and ensure overall IT-Sec adherenceComply with IBM Global Delivery Framework (GDF) and Lean quality standards
User Xperience Designer
Messenger Pilot Deployment
2009 - 2010
Evaluate application design for user experience effectivenessPerform usability testingDesign mock-ups, sitemaps and task flowsTranslate ideas into production application featuresConduct competitor and customer analysis
Indie Web Developer
2008 - 2009
Create website designs meeting customer requirementsMaintain web servers and monitor uptime using Parallels
Education
PhD, in progress
Learning Technologies
University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst MA
Master of Management Sciences
Instructional Technology Management and Leadership
Merrimack College, Andover MA
2018
Bachelors of Science in Computer Technologies
Minor: Mathematics and Physics
Osmania University, India
2008
Volunteer
Project బడి (Project Badi)
Telangana State, India
2020 - Present
Founder of nonprofit providing classroom and instructional supplies for KG-10th government school teachers in Telangana State, India.
Guest Speaker - Education and Workforce Training
Just-A-Start, Cambridge, MA
2017 - Present
Share insider knowledge with the IT cohort while providing support and guidance in the job market. Demonstrate worked-examples from the industry and help reinforce individual confidence.
Student Volunteer
Lazarus House, Lawrence, MA
2017 - 2018
Student-led program serving the homeless and low-income families in Lawrence, Massachusetts, including offering emergency shelter, food and clothing to people in crisis and providing transitional housing, advocacy and work preparation.
After-School Volunteer
Atkinson Elementary School, Andover, MA
2016 - 2018
Help the lead teacher in providing one-on-one or group assistance to students in grades K-5. Assist students with homework, independent reading, or read aloud and help develop key literacy skills.
Host - Blood Donations Camps
HCL Technologies, India
2014 - 2016
Supervise the venue and inspect pre-donation, donation and post-donation areas as per health regulatory standards. Support and liaise with voluntary organizations supporting children suffering from Leukemia.
Host - Parent Counseling
HCL Technologies, India
2014 - 2016
Provide counseling and support services to parents with children suffering from Leukemia.
Host - Catalyst for Social Change
HCL Technologies, India
2014 - 2016
Host corporate-level events focusing on educating and supporting disadvantaged children suffering from HIV/AIDS, abandoned by one or both parents and from poor socio-economic conditions, under HCL Technology's corporate social responsibility initiative "The Power of One".
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Challenge #1
Crack the code.
The Spenserians
Assyrian Calendar
Miles from Delhi
Linear regression leads to next clue. Good luck.
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July 9, 2020