Sang Won Yoon

About me

I am a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Knowledge Centre for Education (KSU), University of Stavanger, with a Ph.D. in Special Needs Education from the University of Oslo. Drawing on 15 years as a special educator and lecturer in Korea, my research focuses on Learning Analytics and Systematic Reviews in math and literacy for students with learning difficulties. I specialize in evaluating measurement tools using the COSMIN (COsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments) methodology. As a board member of SeeD (Speical Education Edutech and Digital education) and a research lead of SeedLab, I bridge the gap between academic research and inclusive EdTech.

My research

Imagine a classroom where a digital system knows exactly when a student is struggling with a math fraction or reading comprehension, and immediately offers the right help. That is the promise of Learning Analytics—using educational data to optimize how kids learn.

However, there is a catch. While we hear a lot about how these AI and data-driven tools work for university students , we actually don't know enough about how effective they are for younger students (K-12) learning foundational subjects like mathematics and language arts. Furthermore, the results of existing studies are often mixed, meaning a tool that works in one classroom might not work in another.

To solve this, my research takes a step back to look at the big picture. I am conducting two massive, highly structured reviews of existing research:

1. Crunching the numbers (Meta-Analysis): I am synthesizing the data from previous studies to definitively answer: Do these digital interventions actually improve students' learning achievements? And if so, what specific factors make them work?
2. Mapping the landscape (Mapping Review): I am creating a comprehensive "map" of how Learning Analytics is currently being used in real classrooms—looking at what kind of data is collected, how it is analyzed, and how it personalizes tasks for students.

Ultimately, my goal is to cut through the hype of "EdTech." I want to provide teachers, policymakers, and developers with clear, evidence-based guidelines to ensure that digital tools are not just fancy gadgets, but genuinely effective and equitable aids for diverse learners.

Academic background

• 2022 | Ph.D. in Special Needs EducationUniversity of Oslo, Norway
• 2013 | MPhil in Special Needs EducationUniversity of Oslo, Norway
• 2005 | Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Special Education (Triple Major: Secondary Special Education & Physical Education)Daegu University, South Korea