John Hines

With nearly three decades of experience as an educator, national champion debate coach and curriculum innovator, I'm leading transformative research at the intersection of AI, debate education, and learning science. As Principal Investigator of an NSF-SBIR-funded project at DebaterHub, I'm spearheading the development of Augmented Debate-Centered Instruction (ADCI). This novel approach leverages AI to strengthen sophisticated cognitive capacities and communication skills vital for student success. Our research introduces breakthrough applications of Multi-Agent Language Systems (MALS) in education. We create AI-enhanced learning environments that provide adaptive guidance for knowledge construction, evidence evaluation, and persuasive argumentation. Through DebaterHub's innovative platform, we're replacing traditional assessments with interactive, debate-based learning experiences that develop the durable skills essential for an AI-integrated future. My expertise spans debate pedagogy, AI ethics, and educational technology. Recent publications have advanced new frameworks for responsible AI integration in education. Our work, presented at the AAAI'24 Workshop on AI in Education, demonstrates how AI-augmented debate instruction can dramatically improve learning outcomes while ensuring equitable access across diverse student populations.