Dirk Ifenthaler

Southern Illinois University Carbondale, University of Mannheim, Curtin University

Papers

Total Citations

290

H-Index

About

Dirk Ifenthaler is a leading scholar in learning analytics, educational technology, and AI in higher education. His research fundamentally explores how digital tools—from serious games to generative AI—can enhance learning processes and outcomes. A major contribution is his work on serious games analytics, where he developed frameworks to assess and optimize learning within game-based environments, as evidenced by his highly cited 2015 publication (166 citations). More recently, Ifenthaler has been at the forefront of investigating students' AI competence, demonstrating in a 2024 study (105 citations) how first-year students' proficiency with AI tools predicts their actual use for learning, a critical insight for curriculum design. He has also contributed to the emerging field of robot-assisted learning, editing a special issue on the topic (2020) and exploring creative applications like dancing humanoids to support STEAM education (2017). With over 100 publications and thousands of citations, Ifenthaler’s work directly informs how educators and institutions can ethically and effectively integrate AI and digital technologies to foster deeper, more personalized learning.