Anne Ottenbreit‐Leftwich

Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana University

Papers

Total Citations

102

H-Index

About

Anne Ottenbreit-Leftwich is a leading voice in K-12 computer science education, with a focused expertise on how young learners conceptualize and learn about Artificial Intelligence. Her research critically examines the "naive conceptions" students bring to the classroom, particularly around AI, and how these ideas evolve with instruction. Her most influential work, "Exploring middle school students’ common naive conceptions of Artificial Intelligence concepts" (2023), has garnered 79 citations, highlighting its foundational role in shaping modern AI curricula. She has also pioneered work with elementary students, as seen in her 2021 study on how they conceptualize AI, which is essential for designing age-appropriate learning tools. Ottenbreit-Leftwich’s contributions are vital as nations like China integrate AI into mandatory curricula; her findings help educators worldwide anticipate and address student misconceptions. Through her research, she provides a critical bridge between emerging technology and pedagogical practice, ensuring that the next generation builds a robust, accurate understanding of the AI systems that increasingly shape their world.