Tübingen Center for Digital Education

Luisa Wellert

In my research, I focus on how adaptive teaching and learning can be supported through Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) and LLM-based tutors. Advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) make it possible to design more accessible and effective adaptive learning environments for schools. Yet, theory, real-world classroom practice, and technology development often remain disconnected. I aim to address this gap with my work.

I combine perspectives from the learning sciences, teacher practice, and machine learning to design and study student-centered adaptive learning tools. My approach is theory-based, practice-informed, and grounded in authentic classroom contexts through close collaboration with teachers.

Through this interdisciplinary approach, I aim to strengthen the connection between research and practice and to advance adaptive technologies that foster learning and educational equity.

If you are interested in collaborating on projects related to adaptive and AI-based tutoring, with a focus on classroom studies or co-design in research–practice partnerships, I am happy to connect.

since 09/2023
PhD student and research assistant at TüCeDE

Tübingen Center for Digital Education (TüCeDE)

10/2022 - 08/2023
Project Manager Educational Research

mmb Institut GmbH, Essen

04/2021 - 09/2022
Research assistant

mmb Institut GmbH, Essen

11/2020 - 09/2022
Master of Arts in Intermedia and General Educational Science

University of Cologne

10/2019 - 03/2020
Media education officer

mecodia GmbH, Aichtal

03/2018 - 08/2018
Student assistant at the Chair of Empirical Media Research

to Prof. Dr. Guido Zurstiege, University of Tübingen

09/2016 - 10/2019
Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies and Educational Science

University of Tübingen

Publications

Journal articles

Sibley, L., Fabian, A., Plicht, C., Pagano, L., Ehrhardt, N., Wellert, L., Bohl, T., & Lachner, A. (2025). Adaptive teaching with technology enhances lasting learning. Learning and Instruction, 99, 102141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2025.102141

Conference contributions

Wellert, L., Becker, S., Frick, P., Sibley, L., Aleven, V., Lachner, A. (2025, August). When Adaptivity Is not Enough: Challenging Tasks may Matter More Than Adaptive Pathways. Conference of the European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction (EARLI) 2025. Realising Potentials through Education: Shaping the Minds and Brains for the Future. Graz. [Talk]

Wellert, L., Braun, A., Becker, S., Brendel, W., Lachner, A. (2025, March). Automating Qualitative Coding of AI Tutoring Dialogs Using Large Language Models (LLMs). LEAD Research Meeting 2025. Tübingen. [Poster]

Wellert, L., Becker, S., Frick, P., Sibley, L., Aleven, V., Lachner, A. (2025, January). ‘Do-it-yourself’ and adaptive? An implementation study on the effectiveness of self-developed adaptive systems in the school context. 12th GEBF Conference of the Society for Empirical Educational Research, Mannheim. [Talk]

Wellert, L., Becker, S., Sibley, L., Aleven, V., Lachner, A. (2024, October). “Do-It-Yourself” and Adaptive? An Implementation Study on the Effectiveness of Self Developed Adaptive Learning Systems in a School Context. Retreat of the LEAD (Learning, Educational Achievement, and Life Course Development) Graduate School & Research Network. Schwäbisch Gmünd. [Poster]

Wellert, L., Becker, S., Sibley, L., Aleven, V., Lachner, A. (2024, August). Comparing Performance-based versus Cognitive Load-based Assessment in Adaptive Learning Systems. EARLI SIG 6/7. Tübingen. [Talk]

Becker, S., Wellert, L., Lachner, A., Brendel, W., Braun, A.  (2024, June). OSATI. Open and Scalable AI-based Tutoring Initiative. AI symposium of the Centre for School Quality and Teacher Training (ZSL) Baden-Württemberg, Regional Office Tübingen. Tübingen. [Poster]

Wellert, L., Becker, S., Sibley, L., Aleven, V., Lachner, A. (2024, April). Comparing Performance-based versus Cognitive Load-based Assessment in Adaptive Learning Systems. Doktorand:innenkonvent des Nachwuchsförderprogramms TüNaProDoc der Tübingen School of Education (TÜSE). Tübingen. [Poster]

Wellert, L. (2024, April). Supporting Students Using Adaptive Learning Systems and AI-based Tutoring. Retreat of the LEAD (Learning, Educational Achievement, and Life Course Development) Graduate School & Research Network. Bad Boll. [Talk]

Wellert, L., Becker, S., Sibley, L., Aleven, V., Lachner, A. (2024, April). Comparing Performance-based versus Cognitive Load-based Assessment in Adaptive Learning Systems. Retreat of the LEAD (Learning, Educational Achievement, and Life Course Development) Graduate School & Research Network. Bad Boll. [Poster]

Wellert, L., Becker, S., Braun, A., Brendel, W., Lachner, A. (2023, December). AI-based Adaptive Support for Students. Digital Education Day 2023 of the Tübingen Center for Digital Education (TüCeDE). Tübingen. [Poster]

Science communication

Wellert, L. & Lachner, A. (2025, July). KI in der Grundschule: Herausforderungen, Reflexionen, Zukunftsvisionen. 3. KI-Fachtag Tübingen. [Barcamp]

Hochstetter, G., Wellert, L., Roth, R., Lachner, A., Gerjets, P., Maiero, J. (2025, July). Reflexionen zu einem sokratischen Tutormodell. 3. KI-Fachtag Tübingen. [Barcamp]

Wellert, L. (2025, April). AI and adaptive learning systems in schools: differentiated teaching with digital tools. Pedagogical day at the Josef-Schwarz School Erlenbach. [Workshop]

Wellert, L. (2024, February). AI in practice. What is ChatGPT and how can artificial intelligence be used in school practice? Pedagogical day at Hölderlin-Gymnasium Nürtingen. [Workshop]

Other publications

Goertz, L., & Wellert, L. (2024). Erfolgsfaktoren öffentlicher Förderprogramme: Wie gelingt der Transfer in den Markt?  [Studie im Auftrag der Founders Foundation]. mmb Institut GmbH. https://foundersfoundation.de/startup-network/edtech-next-report/

Hochbauer, M., Goertz, L., Buntins, K., Blanc, B., & Wellert, L. (2022). Berufsorientierung im digitalen Wandel: Herausforderungen und Perspektiven in der Jugendhilfe. In S. Enssen, E. Klaudy, & S. Stöbe-Blossey (Hrsg.), IAQ-Forschung (Bd. 2022). DuEPublico: Duisburg-Essen Publications online, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany. https://doi.org/10.17185/DUEPUBLICO/77039

Goertz, L., Hense, J., Georgi, M. & Wellert, L. (2022): Digitalisierung in Schulen. Wie Schulen, Politik und Verwaltung besser zusammenarbeiten können. [Studie im Auftrag der Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit]. mmb Institut GmbH. https://shop.freiheit.org/#!/Publikation/1230