Research

My research focuses on improving computing education by preparing students for real-world software development, creating inclusive learning environments, and studying how new technologies affect education. By using both quantitative and qualitative methods, I aim to connect research with practice, ensuring that my findings lead to effective strategies and resources that benefit students and educators.

Collaborative Approach

My research thrives on collaboration. I work closely with faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students across multiple institutions, including but not limited to the University of California San Diego (UCSD), University of Wisconsin-Madison, College of Engineering Guindy (in India), Cornell University, and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. These partnerships are essential to my research philosophy: each collaborator brings unique perspectives and expertise that strengthen our collective work. The projects described here represent true team efforts, and I am grateful for the insights and contributions of every collaborator.

Current Research Focus

I am the Principal Investigator (PI) for multiple research projects funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). My current research (as of fall 2025) focuses on three main areas:

1. Improving Students’ Program Comprehension while Working with Large Code Bases

This project addresses the academia-industry gap by developing a high-impact course designed to teach students how to work on large, existing code bases, grounding the approach in Cognitive Apprenticeship and Information Foraging Theory to advance understanding of how students acquire program comprehension skills. The project aims to prepare students for careers in software development by imparting essential program comprehension and code navigation skills.

Selected Publications

🏆 Best Paper Award at ICER 2025

Anshul Shah, Thomas Rexin, Anya Chernova, Gonzalo Allen-Perez, William G. Griswold, and Adalbert Gerald Soosai Raj. Needles in a Haystack: Student Struggles with Working on Large Code Bases. In Proceedings of the 2025 ACM Conference on International Computing Education Research (ICER 2025).

Link to the paper: https://doi.org/10.1145/3702652.3744218

2. Generation and Evaluation of Culturally Relevant Computing Resources for Introductory Programming

This Broadening Participation in Computing Demonstration Project involves generating and evaluating multi-cultural computing resources, such as a new textbook, for undergraduate Computer Science (CS) students. The project evaluates the efficacy of these resources regarding student learning, retention, sense of belonging, self-efficacy, and attitudes towards computing in a CS1 course, ultimately aiming to develop and disseminate models for building inclusive computing curricula that create opportunities for all students.

NOTE: This initiative is open to all eligible members and does not discriminate against, or grant preferential treatment to, any individual or group on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories.

Selected Publications

🏆 Best Student Paper Award at CompEd 2025

Ismael Villegas Molina, Emma Hogan, Nawab Mulla, Josue Martinez, William G. Griswold, Leo Porter, and Adalbert Gerald Soosai Raj. Faculty Identities and Their Effects on Implementing Culturally Relevant Pedagogies at Hispanic-Serving Institutions. In Proceedings of the ACM Global on Computing Education Conference 2025 (CompEd 2025).

Link to the paper: https://doi.org/10.1145/3736181.3747163

3. Student Learning and Engagement in Computing Courses in the Age of Generative AI

This research investigates the dynamic challenges and opportunities presented by Generative AI to understand how to maintain and enhance student learning and engagement within computing education. As AI tools become increasingly prevalent, understanding their impact on learning and engagement is critical for designing effective computing courses.

Additional Research Projects

Effectiveness of Open Educational Resources in Computing Education

Anya Chernova (co-first author), Audria Montalvo (co-first author), Vinod Vairavaraj, Liam Hardy, and Adalbert Gerald Soosai Raj. Students’ Evaluation of a Free and a Paid Interactive eTextbook for Computing Education. In Proceedings of the 57th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education V.1 (SIGCSE TS 2026), February 18–21, 2026, St. Louis, MO, USA.

Link to the paper: https://doi.org/10.1145/3770762.3772540

📚 Research Publications

See my latest publications on Google Scholar →

Past Research Projects

I have previously worked on several research projects in computing education that are now completed. These projects have contributed to my current research focus and have provided valuable insights into various aspects of computing education.

1. Determining the Effectiveness of Live Coding on Student Learning in Introductory Programming

This project investigated the impact of live coding as a teaching method on student learning outcomes in introductory programming courses. The study aimed to determine the impact of live coding (when compared to static code examples) on students’ conceptual understanding and programming skills. The research involved observations and analysis of IDE-generated process data to assess how different teaching methods influence student learning and programming processes (e.g., incremental development).

Selected Publications

🏆 Best Paper Award at ACE 2020

Adalbert Gerald Soosai Raj, Pan Gu, Eda Zhang, Arokia Xavier Annie R, Jim Williams, Richard Halverson, and Jignesh M. Patel. Live-coding vs Static Code Examples: Which is better with respect to Student Learning and Cognitive Load? In Proceedings of the Twenty-Second Australasian Computing Education Conference (ACE’20).

Link to the paper: https://doi.org/10.1145/3373165.3373182

2. Understanding and Aiding Non-Native English Speakers in Learning Computer Programming

This project focused on understanding the unique challenges faced by non-native English speakers in learning computer programming. The programming education landscape is predominantly English-centric, which can create barriers for students whose first language is not English. For example, programming languages, documentation, and learning resources (e.g., Stack Overflow) are primarily in English, which can hinder comprehension and engagement for non-native speakers. The research aimed to identify specific barriers and develop strategies to support these students in overcoming language-related obstacles in programming education. The study involved qualitative and quantitative analyses to explore the experiences of non-native English speakers in programming courses.

Selected Publications

Adalbert Gerald Soosai Raj, Kasama Ketsuriyonk, Jignesh M. Patel, and Richard Halverson. Does Native Language Play a Role in Learning a Programming Language? In Proceedings of the 49th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE ‘18).

Link to the paper: https://doi.org/10.1145/3159450.3159531

3. Enhancing Secure Programming Knowledge and Skills Among Students

This project aimed to identify gaps in the secure programming knowledge and skills of students. As cybersecurity becomes increasingly important, it is essential for computer science students to acquire secure programming practices. The research involved assessing students’ understanding of secure coding principles and identifying areas where they may lack knowledge or skills. The findings from this study informed the development of educational interventions to enhance students’ secure programming capabilities.

Selected Publications

Jessica Lam, Elias Fang, Majed Almansoori, Rahul Chatterjee, and Adalbert Gerald Soosai Raj. Identifying Gaps in the Secure Programming Knowledge and Skills of Students. In Proceedings of the 53rd ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education - Volume 1 (SIGCSE 2022).

Link to the paper: https://doi.org/10.1145/3478431.3499391