FPS’ keynote lecture explores AI’s role in keeping MOOC learners motivated

The Faculty of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (FLASS) hosted the Faculty Postgraduate Seminar (FPS) for the first semester of the 2025/26 academic year on 5 November 2025. Professor Li Wai-keung, Dean of FLASS, delivered the opening remarks and welcomed Professor Alexandra Cristea from Durham University as the keynote speaker. Professor Cristea is a globally recognised leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and educational technologies, with a career dedicated to advancing science for social good. Following the keynote, both poster and oral presentation sessions were organised, providing research postgraduate (RPg) students an opportunity to share their findings and exchange ideas.

In her keynote address, “Data-driven evaluations of engagement theories’ applicability in e-learning”, Professor Cristea noted that while Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have made education globally accessible, student engagement remains an underexplored area. “Online learning platforms experience high dropout rates, presenting a challenge in identifying early, measurable indicators of student engagement. For a long time, there has been insufficient integration of psychological theory with behavioural data, and motivational theories have been under-evaluated in MOOC studies,” Professor Cristea explained.

She added that her research aims to bridge this gap by combining data analytics and machine learning techniques with psychological frameworks. “My project has achieved four key outcomes. First, we developed a methodology for using the Engage Taxonomy—specifically the Self-Determination Theory (SDT) mapping—to identify and semantically label student clusters, which can enhance course design and enable personalised, adaptive interventions.”

“Secondly, the study represents the first large-scale evaluation of SDT in the context of online learning and MOOCs, measured by success indicators. Thirdly, it offers a new set of metrics for quantifying engagement in MOOCs, including measures for autonomy, relatedness, and competence. Finally, by applying machine learning techniques to SDT constructs extracted during the first week of learning, our team successfully predicted active and non-active students in the subsequent week,” Professor Cristea continued.

After the keynote, eight RPg students presented their research posters outside the lecture hall, engaging with the EdUHK community through discussion and feedback. In the afternoon, an oral presentation session took place, featuring five FLASS RPg students and Ms Pan Ziqi, a PhD student supervised by Professor Cristea at Durham University.

Based on the assessments from adjudicators using set judging criteria, the Best Poster Presenter title was awarded to Mr Lo Shing-him from the Department of Science and Environmental Studies (SES) for his presentation, “Harmful pathogens and algae functional databases to empower environmental DNA biomonitoring in coastal waters.” Ms Jaclyn Tsang Hei from the Department of Health and Physical Education (HPE) received the Best Speaker title for her presentation, “The role of cheat meals in dieting: a scoping review of physiological and psychological responses”. Both winners will receive their certificates at the Faculty Assembly cum Awards Presentation Ceremony in July 2026.

Professor Li expressed his gratitude, saying, “We thank Professor Cristea for sharing her valuable insights. Over the years, FPS has invited many renowned scholars, both locally and abroad, to present their research and experiences. The seminar provides postgraduate students with a platform to share ideas, acquire new knowledge, and explore collaborative opportunities. We also appreciate the continued support from our dedicated researchers and staff, whose effort has made FPS a longstanding success.”

Professor Daniel Chow Hung-kay, Associate Dean (Research & Postgraduate Studies) of FLASS, encouraged postgraduate students to take full advantage of the financial and academic support available through the faculty. He also acknowledged the faculty’s organisation of social and cultural activities—such as BBQ gathering, aromatherapy workshop, Legislative Council visit, and Yum-cha session—which have been well received by RPg students.

“Through these activities, RPg students can strengthen their sense of community. Academic research can be demanding and sometimes isolating, so it is vital to connect with peers who can offer both intellectual and emotional support throughout their journey,” Professor Chow added. He also thanked Ms Pan Ziqi for sharing her research on immersive learning in virtual environments and Dr Nicole Yang Yin from the Department of Mathematics and Information Technology (MIT) for moderating the oral presentation session.

Participants of poster presentation:

Participants of oral presentation: