Publications

2020s

2010s

* means students of Dr. Rahimi.

In Progress

Shute, V. J., & Rahimi, S. (in press). Evidence-centered foundations of stealth assessment. [preprint] In Robert Mislevy tribute. Study Group.
Esmaeiligoujar*, S. & Rahimi, S. (under review). Digital games’ impact on K-12 students’ 21st century skills: A systematic review. [Preprint] Submitted to the Gaming & Simulation journal.
Rahimi, S., Esmaeiligoujar*, S., Ercan*, D., & Shute, V. J. (under review). Stealth assessments in technology-rich learning environments: A systematic review of implementation, modeling, and psychometric quality. [preprint] Submitted to Review of Educational Research.
Rahimi, S., Babaee*, M., Esmaeiligoujar*, S., & Dede, C. (in press). Using Generative AI in K–12 Classrooms to Assess and Support Students’ Creativity: A Scoping Review. In R. Beghetto (Ed.), Oxford Handbook of Human Creativity × Generative AI in Education.
Rahimi, S., Shute, V. J., & Almond, R. G. (in press). Stealth assessments in digital learning environments: Current trends, new directions, and ethical considerations. [preprint] Journal of Research on Technology in Education (JRTE).
Rahimi, S., Esmaeiligoujar*, S., Ercan*, D., Gao*, R., Keawphonkrang*, S. (under review). Promoting growth mindset game-based learning: A systematic review of the literature. Submitted to the Gaming & Simulation journal.
Weiss, S., Beaty, R. E., Acar, S., Baas, M., Barbot, B., Doebler, P., Dumas, D., Goecke, B., Green, A. E., Jaggy, A.-K., Kenett, Y. N., Kyllonen, P. C., Lebuda, I., Miroshnik, K. G., Organisciak, P., Rafner, J., Rahimi, S., Reiter-Palmon, R., Salvi, C., Saretzki, J., Sherson, J., Silvia, P. J., Steger, D., Stella, M., Urban, K., Urban, M., Viskontas, I., Volle, E., Wilhelm, O., & Benedek, M. (in press). COCA 2026: Consensus on creativity assessment. Nature Reviews Psychology.
Rahimi, S., Esmaeiligoujar*, S., Gao*, R., & Ercan*, D. (under review). Generative AI for productive failure task design: A design-based research study and human-in-the-loop validation framework. Submitted to Computers & Education.
Rahimi, S., Abduli, S., Mervarz, M., & McLaren, B. (in preparation). How to integrate learning supports in educational games to maximize learning without sacrificing the fun: A systematic review of the literature.

2026

Sherson, J. F., Rafner, J., Reiter-Palmon, R., Lebuda, I., Söllner, M., Kenett, Y. N., Emruli, B., Rindle, M., Weiss, S., Goecke, B., Vinchon, F., Mao, Y., Dellermann, D., Rahimi, S., Marler, J. H., Nguyen, A., Bjerring, J. C., & DiPaola, S. (2026). Ensuring human authorship in the age of generative AI: The FERC framework for governed human–AI collaboration. Research Gate. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.26276.03208/1
Rahimi, S., Li, C., Esmaeiligoujar*, S., Ercan*, D., & Botelho, A. (2026). A Rubric-Guided Multimodal Approach Using High-Capacity LLMs Provides the Most Psychometrically Sound Creativity Assessment in a Learning Game. Creativity Research Journal. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400419.2026.2638384
Yang, X., Rahimi, S. (2026). Prompting self-explanation in different gameplay contexts: effects on response quality and content learning. Education Tech Research Dev. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-026-10672-5
Ercan*, D., & Rahimi, S. (2026). How generative AI is used in learning games: A systematic scoping review in K–12 settings. In B. K. Litts, D. DeLiema, C. Lee, S. Krist, A. Mawasi, L. Martin, & K. Kumpulainen (Eds.), Proceedings of the 20th International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS 2026) (pp. 2935–2937). International Society of the Learning Sciences. https://doi.org/10.22318/icls2026.107684
Rahimi, S., Babaee*, M., Esmaeiligoujar*, S., & Dede, C. (2026). Generative AI for creative learning in K–12 education: Insights from a systematic scoping review. In B. K. Litts, D. DeLiema, C. Lee, S. Krist, A. Mawasi, L. Martin, & K. Kumpulainen (Eds.), Proceedings of the 20th International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS 2026) (pp. 1253–1257). International Society of the Learning Sciences. https://doi.org/10.22318/icls2026.109766
Rahimi, S., Mehrvarz, M., Abdoli, S., Esmaeiligoujar*, S., & McLaren, B. (2026). Maximize learning and fun: How to integrate in-game learning supports into digital learning games. In Proceedings of the 20th International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS 2026) (pp. 1213–1217). https://doi.org/10.22318/icls2026.100521
Rahimi, S., Esmaeiligoujar*, S., Ercan*, D., Babaee*, M., & Gao*, R. (2026). Small vs large language models: Comparing language models in generating productive failure math problems. In Proceedings of the 20th International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS 2026) (pp. 1223–1227). https://doi.org/10.22318/icls2026.113185
Rahimi, S., Li, H., Esmaeiligoujar*, S., & Ercan*, D. (2026). Rubric-guided generative AI for scalable creativity assessment in educational games. In Proceedings of the 20th International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS 2026) (pp. 2828–2830). https://doi.org/10.22318/icls2026.756846
Leite, W. L., Kumar, K. S., Magnan, J., Hammerschmidt-Snidarich, S., Rahimi, S., & Liu, Z. (2026). Automated scoring of oral reading fluency: An examination of validity evidence. In Proceedings of the Artificial Intelligence in Measurement and Education Conference (AIME-Con): Full Papers (pp. 472–482). National Council on Measurement in Education. https://aclanthology.org/2026.aimecon-main.53/
Rahimi, S., & Shute, V. J. (2025). Personalized learning in educational games using stealth assessment. In M. L. Bernacki, C. Walkington, A. Emery, & L. Zhang (Eds.), Handbook of personalized learning (pp. 77–93). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781032719467-7
Rahimi, S., Dede, C., Esmaeiligoujar, S., & Babaee, M. (2026). Augmenting human creativity with responsible and ethical use of generative AI. In M. J. Worwood & J. C. Kaufman (Eds.), Generative artificial intelligence and creativity: Possibilities, precautions, and perspectives (pp. 87–99). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-34073-4.00010-1

2025

Toofaninejad, E., Bagheri, S., Kalantarion, M., & Rahimi, S. (2025). Unlocking knowledge or trapped in distraction? Use of escape room to enhance medical education. Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences, 20(3), 332–334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtumed.2025.05.001
Mehrvarz, M., Abdoli, S., Kahveci, E. N., Rahimi, S., & McLaren, B. M. (2025). The Impact of Hint Modality in Digital Game-Based Learning: A Systematic Literature Review. In Rajala, A., et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 19th International Conference of the Learning Sciences – ICLS 2025 (pp. 2939-2941). https://repository.isls.org//handle/1/11646
Walker, J. T., Rahimi, S., Barany, A., & Lin-Lipsmeyer, L. (2025). Generative Inquiry: Creativity Assessments of Youth Epistemic Agency and in a Computational Data Science Workshop. In Rajala, A., et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 19th International Conference of the Learning Sciences – ICLS 2025 (pp. 538-546). https://repository.isls.org//handle/1/11775
Leite, W. L., Hammerschmidt-Snidarich, S., Huggins-Manley, A. C., Karakis, H. K., Lane, H., Rahimi, S., Shen, Q., Tai, X., & Schmidt, M. (2025). Storiza: A Platform to Support Children’s Oral Reading Fluency Development With Generative Ai. In Rajala, A., et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 19th International Conference of the Learning Sciences – ICLS 2025 (pp. 1574-1578). https://repository.isls.org//handle/1/11320
Rahimi, S., Esmaeiligoujar*, S., Gao*, R., Ercan*, D., & Keawphonkrang*, S. (2025). The Effects of Digital Games on Pre-K-12 Students’ Growth Mindset: A Systematic Review. In Rajala, A., et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 19th International Conference of the Learning Sciences – ICLS 2025 (pp. 476-483). https://repository.isls.org//handle/1/11768
Ercan*, D., Esmaeiligoujar*, S., & Rahimi, S. (2025). Improving Pre-K–12 students’ executive functions using digital games: A systematic review. In Proceedings of the International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS 2025) (pp. 826–834). International Society of the Learning Sciences.
Rahimi, S., Ercan*, D., Gao*, R., Esmaeiligoujar*, S., Babaee*, M., et al. (2025). ProductiveMath: A Generative-AI-Powered App to Support Productive Failure Teaching. AIED 2025, 344–351. Springer.

2024

Habibi, A., Toofaninejad, E., Rahimi, S., & Kalantarion, M. (2024). The Transformative Impact of Stealth Assessment on Medical Education. Journal of Advances in Medical Education & Professionalism, 12(3), 208-210. https://doi.org/10.30476/jamp.2024.101479.1931
Rahimi, S., Almond, R., Weisberga*, L., Ramírez-Salgadoa*, A., Lua*, J., Myersa*, T., Song*, Y., Wanga*, X., Christine*, W., Francoisa*, M., Wanga*, B., Mosesa*, J., & Wrighta*, E. (2024). Competency model development: The backbone of successful stealth assessments. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning (JCAL). https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.13025
Rahimi, S., & Shute, V. J. (2024). Stealth assessment: A theoretically grounded and psychometrically sound method. Educational Technology Research & Development, 72(5), 2417–2441. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-023-10232-1
Rahimi, S., Smith, J. B., et al. (2024). An automated, unobtrusive, formative assessment of creativity in a computer science and music remixing learning environment. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts. https://doi.org/10.1037/aca0000683
Esmaeiligoujar*, S., Rahimi, S., & Babaee*, M. (2024). Using Digital Games to Enhance 21st-Century Skills Development in K-12 Education: A Systematic Review. In Lindgren, R., et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 18th International Conference of the Learning Sciences – ICLS 2024 (pp. 2197-2198). https://repository.isls.org//handle/1/10933
Babaee*, M., Rahimi, S., & Esmaeiligoujar*, S. (2024). Fostering K-12 Students’ Computational Thinking Skills Using Collaborative Technology-rich Learning Environments: A Systematic Review. In Lindgren, R., et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 18th International Conference of the Learning Sciences – ICLS 2024 (pp. 786-792). https://repository.isls.org//handle/1/11170
Rahimi, S., Esmaeiligoujar*, S. (2024). UF’s Artificial Intelligence in Education Workshop: A State-of-the-Art Perspective from Academia and Industry. Institute of Advance Learning Technologies (IALT), University of Florida. https://ialt.education.ufl.edu/ai-in-education-workshop/
Rahimi, S., & Esmaeiligoujar*, S. (2024). UF’s AI in Education Workshop: A Perspective from Academia and Learning Industry. Digital Promise & ISLS Rapid Community Report Series, 1–20.

2023

Rahimi, S., Walker, J., Lin, L., & Shin, J. (2023). Toward defining and assessing creativity in sandbox games. Creativity Research Journal, 36(2), 194–212. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400419.2022.2156477
Rafner, J., Wang, Q. J., et al. (2023). Towards game-based assessment of creative thinking. Creativity Research Journal, 35(4), 763–782. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400419.2023.2198845
Rahimi, S. (2023). Going beyond the brick: Assessing and supporting creativity using AI-powered digital games. Creativity Research Journal, 37(2), 275–283. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400419.2023.2241779
Rahimi, S., Shute, V., Khodabandelou, R., Kuba, R., Babaee*, M., & Esmaeiligoujar*, S. (2023). Stealth assessment: A systematic review of the literature. In Blikstein, P., et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 17th International Conference of the Learning Sciences – ICLS 2023 (pp. 1977-1978). https://repository.isls.org//handle/1/10118
Rahimi, S. (2023, November 3). I decide to be creative and study it creatively [Blog post]. Messier Website’s Blog Posts on Creativity. https://www.messier.co/post/i-decide-to-be-creative-and-study-it-creatively
Rahimi, S., Smith, J. B., Truesdell, E. J.K., Vinay, A., Boyer, K. E., Magerko, B., Freeman, J., & Mcklin, T. (2023). Validity and Fairness of an Automated Assessment of Creativity in Computational Music Remixing. CEUR Workshop Proceedings at AI in Education 2023 Conference: Automated Assessment and Guidance of Project Workshop.
Shute, V. J., Fulwider, G. C., Liu, Z., & Rahimi, S. (2023). Machine Learning. In R. Tierney, F. Rizvi, & K. Ercikan (Eds.), International encyclopedia of education (4th Edition) (pp. 83-91). Oxford, UK: Elsevier Publishers. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-818630-5.14013-8
Smith, G., Shute, V. J., Rahimi, S., Kuba, R., & Dai, C.-P. (2023). Stealth assessment and digital learning game design. In M. P. McCreery, & S. K., Krach (Eds.), Games as stealth assessments (pp. 81-100). Hershey, PA: IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-0568-3.ch004
Rahimi, S., Almond, R., Shute, V. (2023). Stealth assessment’s technical architecture. In M. P. McCreery, & S. K., Krach (Eds.), Games as stealth assessments (pp. 61-80). Hershey, PA: IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-0568-3.ch003
Rahimi, S., Almond, R., Shute, V., Sun, C. (2023). Getting the first and second decimals right: Psychometrics of stealth assessment. In M. P. McCreery, & S. K., Krach (Eds.), Games as stealth assessments (pp. 125-153). Hershey, PA: IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-0568-3.ch006

2022

Bainbridge, K., Shute, V. J., Rahimi, S., Liu, Z., Slater, S., Baker, R. S., & D’Mello, S. (2022). Does embedding learning supports enhance transfer during game-based learning? A case study with Physics Playground. Learning and Instruction, 77, Article 101547. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2021.101547
Yang, X., Rahimi, S., et al. (2022). Exploring students’ behavioral patterns when playing educational games with learning supports at different timings. Educational Technology Research and Development, 70(4), 1441–1471. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-022-10125-9
Rahimi, S., Shute, V. J., et al. (2022). Timing of learning supports in educational games can impact students’ outcomes. Computers & Education, 190, 104600. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2022.104600
Rahimi, S., Fulwider, C., Jiang, S. & Shute, V. J. (2022). Predicting learning gains in an educational game using feature engineering and machine learning. In C., Chinn, E., Tan, C., Chan, & Kali, Y. (Eds.), International Collaboration toward Educational Innovation for All—the ICLS proceedings (pp. 2124-2125).
Rahimi, S., Walker, J., Lin, L., & Shin, J. (2022). In pursuit of creativity in Minecraft: A mixed-method approach. In C. A. Chinn, E. Tan, C. Chan, & Y. Kali (Eds.), International collaboration toward educational innovation for all: Proceedings of the 16th International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS 2022) (pp. 1397–1400).
Shute, V. J., & Rahimi, S. (2022). Stealth assessment: A primer. Digital Promise & International Society of the Learning Sciences.

2021

Yang, X., Rahimi, S., Shute, V. J., Kuba, R., Smith, G., & Alonso Fernández, C. (2021). The relationship among prior knowledge, accessing learning supports, learning outcomes, and game performance in educational games. Educational Technology Research and Development. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-021-09974-7
Rahimi, S., Shute, V. J., & Zhang, Q. (2021). The effect of game difficulty and conceptual difficulty on student persistence in a learning game: a hierarchical linear modeling approach. International Journal of Technology in Education & Science. 5(2), 141-165. https://doi.org/10.46328/ijtes.118
Rahimi, S., Shute, V. J., Kuba, R., Dai, C-P., Yang. X., Smith, G., & Alonso Fernández, C. (2021). The use and effects of incentive systems on learning and performance in educational games. Computers & Education. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2021.104135
Kuba, R., Rahimi, S., Smith, G., Shute, V., Dai, C-P. (2021). Using the first principles of instruction and multimedia learning principles to design and develop in-game learning support videos. Educational Technology Research and Development. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-021-09994-3
Rafner, J., Biskjær, M. M., Zana, B., Langsford, S., Bergenholtz, C., Rahimi, S., Carugati, A., Noy, L., & Sherson, J. (2021). Digital games for creativity assessment: Strengths, weaknesses and opportunities. Creativity Research Journal, 1–27. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400419.2021.1971447
Shute, V. J., & Rahimi, S. (2021). Stealth assessment of creativity using video games. Computers in Human Behavior, 116, 106647. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2020.106647
Rahimi, S., & Shute, V. J. (2021). First inspire, then instruct to improve students’ creativity. Computers & Education, 174, 104312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2021.104312
Shute, V. J., Lu, X., & Rahimi, S. (2021). Stealth assessment. In J. M. Spector (Ed.), The Routledge Encyclopedia of Education (pp. 1-9). London, UK: Taylor & Francis group. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781138609877-REE58-1
Rahimi, S., & Shute, V. (2021). The Effects of Video Games on Creativity. In S. Russ, J. Hoffmann, & J. Kaufman (Eds.), The Cambridge Handbook of Lifespan Development of Creativity (pp. 368-392). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108755726.021
Rahimi, S., & Shute, V. J. (2021). Learning analytics dashboards in educational games. In Sahin & Ifenthaler (Eds.), Visualizations and Dashboards for Learning Analytics, pp. 527–546. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-81222-5_24

2020

Shute, V. J., Smith, G., Kuba, R., Dai, C-P., Rahimi, S., Liu, Z., & Almond, R. G. (2020). The design, development, and testing of learning supports for the Physics Playground game. International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40593-020-00196-1
Shute, V. J., Rahimi, S., et al. (2020). Maximizing learning without sacrificing the fun: Stealth assessment, adaptivity, and learning supports in educational games. Journal of Computer-Assisted Learning, 37(1), 127-141. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12473
Rahimi, S. (2020, June 22). The inspirational silver lining for learning in Iran [Blog post]. Silver Lining for Learning Initiative Blog. https://silverliningforlearning.org/the-inspirational-silver-lining-for-learning-in-iran/
Rahimi, S. (2020). Virtual Reality in education. The Iranian encyclopedia of curriculum and instruction (9 pages). Talaei, E. (Ed.). Tehran, Iran. www.daneshnamehicsa.ir.
Almond, R. G., Shute, V. J., Tingir, S., & Rahimi, S. (2020). Identifying observable outcomes in game-based assessments. In R. Lissitz & H. Jiao (Eds.), Applications of artificial intelligence to assessment. Information Age Publishing.

2019

Spann, C. A., Shute, V. J., Rahimi, S., & D’Mello, S. K. (2019). The productive role of cognitive reappraisal in regulating affect during game-based learning. Computers in Human Behavior, 100, 358–369. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2019.03.002
Shute, V. J., Rahimi, S., & Lu, X. (2019). Supporting learning in educational games: Promises and challenges. In P. Díaz, A. Ioannou, K. K. Bhagat, & J. M. Spector (Eds.), Learning in a Digital World. New York, NY: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-8265-9_4
Shute, V. J., Rahimi, S., & Smith, G. (2019). Game-based learning analytics in Physics Playground. In M. Chang, & A. Tlili (Eds.), Data analytics approaches in educational games and gamification systems (26 pages). New York: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-32-9335-9_4
Shute, V. J., Ke, F., Almond, R. G., Rahimi, S., et al. (2019). How to increase learning while not decreasing the fun in educational games. In R. Feldman (Ed.), Learning Science: Theory, Research, and Practice. McGraw-Hill.

2018 & Earlier

Binti Mat Sin, N., Ab Aziz, A., Othman, H., Rahimi, S. A., & Woods, P. (2011). E-learning Islamic studies for form four students. Computer Technology and Application, 2(6), 439–448. https://doi.org/10.17265/1934-7332/2011.06.004
Shute, V. J., & Rahimi, S. (2017). Review of computer-based assessment for learning in elementary and secondary education. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 33(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12172
Agharazidermani, M., Song, H., & Rahimi, S. (2011). Microblogging as an educational tool to advance learning: case studies and recent reports. In EDULEARN11 Proceedings (pp. 6181-6190). IATED. July 2011, Barcelona, Spain.
Rahimi, S., Song H., & Agharazidermani M. (2011). Perception and experiences of undergraduate students on using second life as a learning tool. In EDULEARN11 Proceedings (pp. 6181-6190). IATED. July 2011, Barcelona, Spain.
Rahimi, S., & Shute, V. J. (2016). Designing the class as a game to promote active learning in K–12 education. AECT 2016 Proceedings, 109–117.
Karumbaiah, S., Rahimi, S., Baker, R. S., Shute, V. J., & D’Mello, S. (2018). Is student frustration in learning games more associated with game mechanics or conceptual understanding? In Proceedings of the International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS 2018). International Society of the Learning Sciences.
Shute, V. J., Rahimi, S., & Sun, C. (2017). Measuring and supporting learning in educational games. In M. F. Young & S. T. Slota (Eds.), Exploding the castle: Rethinking how video games and game mechanics can shape the future of education. Information Age Publishing.
Shute, V. J., Rahimi, S., & Emihovich, B. (2018). Assessment for learning in immersive environments. In D. Liu, C. Dede, R. Huang, & J. Richards (Eds.), Virtual, augmented, and mixed realities in education. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-5490-7_5

Publications

In Progress

Shute, V. J., & Rahimi, S. (in press). Evidence-centered foundations of stealth assessment. [preprint] In Robert Mislevy tribute. Study Group.

Esmaeiligoujar*, S. & Rahimi, S. (under review). Digital games’ impact on K-12 students’ 21st century skills: A systematic review. [Preprint] Submitted to the Gaming & Simulation journal.

Rahimi, S., Esmaeiligoujar*, S., Ercan*, D., & Shute, V. J. (under review). Stealth assessments in technology-rich learning environments: A systematic review of implementation, modeling, and psychometric quality. [preprint] Submitted to Review of Educational Research.

Rahimi, S., Babaee*, M., Esmaeiligoujar*, S., & Dede, C. (in press). Using Generative AI in K–12 Classrooms to Assess and Support Students’ Creativity: A Scoping Review. In R. Beghetto (Ed.), Oxford Handbook of Human Creativity × Generative AI in Education.

Rahimi, S., Shute, V. J., & Almond, R. G. (in press). Stealth assessments in digital learning environments: Current trends, new directions, and ethical considerations. [preprint] Journal of Research on Technology in Education (JRTE).

Rahimi, S., Esmaeiligoujar*, S., Ercan*, D., Gao*, R., Keawphonkrang*, S. (under review). Promoting growth mindset game-based learning: A systematic review of the literature. Submitted to the Gaming & Simulation journal.

Rahimi, S., Esmaeiligoujar*, S., Gao*, R., & Ercan*, D. (under review). Generative AI for productive failure task design: A design-based research study and human-in-the-loop validation framework. Submitted to Computers & Education.

Rahimi, S., Abduli, S., Mervarz, M., & McLaren, B. (in preparation). How to integrate learning supports in educational games to maximize learning without sacrificing the fun: A systematic review of the literature.

2026

Rahimi, S., Li, C., Esmaeiligoujar*, S., Ercan*, D., & Botelho, A. (2026). A Rubric-Guided Multimodal Approach Using High-Capacity LLMs Provides the Most Psychometrically Sound Creativity Assessment in a Learning Game. Creativity Research Journal. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400419.2026.2638384

Yang, X., Rahimi, S. (2026). Prompting self-explanation in different gameplay contexts: effects on response quality and content learning. Education Tech Research Dev. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-026-10672-5

Rahimi, S., Li, H., Esmaeiligoujar*, S., & Ercan*, D. (2026). Rubric-guided generative AI for scalable creativity assessment in educational games. In Proceedings of the 20th International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS 2026) (pp. 2828–2830). https://doi.org/10.22318/icls2026.756846

Rahimi, S., & Shute, V. J. (2025). Personalized learning in educational games using stealth assessment. In M. L. Bernacki, C. Walkington, A. Emery, & L. Zhang (Eds.), Handbook of personalized learning (pp. 77–93). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781032719467-7

2025

Toofaninejad, E., Bagheri, S., Kalantarion, M., & Rahimi, S. (2025). Unlocking knowledge or trapped in distraction? Use of escape room to enhance medical education. Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences, 20(3), 332–334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtumed.2025.05.001

Ercan*, D., Esmaeiligoujar*, S., & Rahimi, S. (2025). Improving Pre-K–12 students’ executive functions using digital games: A systematic review. In Proceedings of the International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS 2025) (pp. 826–834). International Society of the Learning Sciences.

Rahimi, S., Ercan*, D., Gao*, R., Esmaeiligoujar*, S., Babaee*, M., et al. (2025). ProductiveMath: A Generative-AI-Powered App to Support Productive Failure Teaching. AIED 2025, 344–351. Springer.

2024

Habibi, A., Toofaninejad, E., Rahimi, S., & Kalantarion, M. (2024). The Transformative Impact of Stealth Assessment on Medical Education. Journal of Advances in Medical Education & Professionalism, 12(3), 208-210. https://doi.org/10.30476/jamp.2024.101479.1931

Rahimi, S., & Shute, V. J. (2024). Stealth assessment: A theoretically grounded and psychometrically sound method. Educational Technology Research & Development, 72(5), 2417–2441. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-023-10232-1

Rahimi, S., Smith, J. B., et al. (2024). An automated, unobtrusive, formative assessment of creativity in a computer science and music remixing learning environment. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts. https://doi.org/10.1037/aca0000683

Rahimi, S., Esmaeiligoujar*, S. (2024). UF’s Artificial Intelligence in Education Workshop: A State-of-the-Art Perspective from Academia and Industry. Institute of Advance Learning Technologies (IALT), University of Florida. https://ialt.education.ufl.edu/ai-in-education-workshop/

Rahimi, S., & Esmaeiligoujar*, S. (2024). UF’s AI in Education Workshop: A Perspective from Academia and Learning Industry. Digital Promise & ISLS Rapid Community Report Series, 1–20.

2023

Rahimi, S., Walker, J., Lin, L., & Shin, J. (2023). Toward defining and assessing creativity in sandbox games. Creativity Research Journal, 36(2), 194–212. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400419.2022.2156477

Rafner, J., Wang, Q. J., et al. (2023). Towards game-based assessment of creative thinking. Creativity Research Journal, 35(4), 763–782. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400419.2023.2198845

Rahimi, S. (2023). Going beyond the brick: Assessing and supporting creativity using AI-powered digital games. Creativity Research Journal, 37(2), 275–283. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400419.2023.2241779

Rahimi, S. (2023, November 3). I decide to be creative and study it creatively [Blog post]. Messier Website’s Blog Posts on Creativity. https://www.messier.co/post/i-decide-to-be-creative-and-study-it-creatively

Shute, V. J., Fulwider, G. C., Liu, Z., & Rahimi, S. (2023). Machine Learning. In R. Tierney, F. Rizvi, & K. Ercikan (Eds.), International encyclopedia of education (4th Edition) (pp. 83-91). Oxford, UK: Elsevier Publishers. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-818630-5.14013-8

Smith, G., Shute, V. J., Rahimi, S., Kuba, R., & Dai, C.-P. (2023). Stealth assessment and digital learning game design. In M. P. McCreery, & S. K., Krach (Eds.), Games as stealth assessments (pp. 81-100). Hershey, PA: IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-0568-3.ch004

Rahimi, S., Almond, R., Shute, V. (2023). Stealth assessment’s technical architecture. In M. P. McCreery, & S. K., Krach (Eds.), Games as stealth assessments (pp. 61-80). Hershey, PA: IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-0568-3.ch003

Rahimi, S., Almond, R., Shute, V., Sun, C. (2023). Getting the first and second decimals right: Psychometrics of stealth assessment. In M. P. McCreery, & S. K., Krach (Eds.), Games as stealth assessments (pp. 125-153). Hershey, PA: IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-0568-3.ch006

2022

Yang, X., Rahimi, S., et al. (2022). Exploring students’ behavioral patterns when playing educational games with learning supports at different timings. Educational Technology Research and Development, 70(4), 1441–1471. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-022-10125-9

Rahimi, S., Shute, V. J., et al. (2022). Timing of learning supports in educational games can impact students’ outcomes. Computers & Education, 190, 104600. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2022.104600

Shute, V. J., & Rahimi, S. (2022). Stealth assessment: A primer. Digital Promise & International Society of the Learning Sciences.

2021

Rahimi, S., Shute, V. J., & Zhang, Q. (2021). The effect of game difficulty and conceptual difficulty on student persistence in a learning game: a hierarchical linear modeling approach. International Journal of Technology in Education & Science. 5(2), 141-165. https://doi.org/10.46328/ijtes.118

Rahimi, S., Shute, V. J., Kuba, R., Dai, C-P., Yang. X., Smith, G., & Alonso Fernández, C. (2021). The use and effects of incentive systems on learning and performance in educational games. Computers & Education. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2021.104135

Kuba, R., Rahimi, S., Smith, G., Shute, V., Dai, C-P. (2021). Using the first principles of instruction and multimedia learning principles to design and develop in-game learning support videos. Educational Technology Research and Development. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-021-09994-3

Rafner, J., Biskjær, M. M., Zana, B., Langsford, S., Bergenholtz, C., Rahimi, S., Carugati, A., Noy, L., & Sherson, J. (2021). Digital games for creativity assessment: Strengths, weaknesses and opportunities. Creativity Research Journal, 1–27. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400419.2021.1971447

Shute, V. J., & Rahimi, S. (2021). Stealth assessment of creativity using video games. Computers in Human Behavior, 116, 106647. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2020.106647

Rahimi, S., & Shute, V. J. (2021). First inspire, then instruct to improve students’ creativity. Computers & Education, 174, 104312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2021.104312

Shute, V. J., Lu, X., & Rahimi, S. (2021). Stealth assessment. In J. M. Spector (Ed.), The Routledge Encyclopedia of Education (pp. 1-9). London, UK: Taylor & Francis group. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781138609877-REE58-1

Rahimi, S., & Shute, V. (2021). The Effects of Video Games on Creativity. In S. Russ, J. Hoffmann, & J. Kaufman (Eds.), The Cambridge Handbook of Lifespan Development of Creativity (pp. 368-392). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108755726.021

Rahimi, S., & Shute, V. J. (2021). Learning analytics dashboards in educational games. In Sahin & Ifenthaler (Eds.), Visualizations and Dashboards for Learning Analytics, pp. 527–546. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-81222-5_24

2020

Shute, V. J., Smith, G., Kuba, R., Dai, C-P., Rahimi, S., Liu, Z., & Almond, R. G. (2020). The design, development, and testing of learning supports for the Physics Playground game. International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40593-020-00196-1

Shute, V. J., Rahimi, S., et al. (2020). Maximizing learning without sacrificing the fun: Stealth assessment, adaptivity, and learning supports in educational games. Journal of Computer-Assisted Learning, 37(1), 127-141. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12473

Rahimi, S. (2020, June 22). The inspirational silver lining for learning in Iran [Blog post]. Silver Lining for Learning Initiative Blog. https://silverliningforlearning.org/the-inspirational-silver-lining-for-learning-in-iran/

Rahimi, S. (2020). Virtual Reality in education. The Iranian encyclopedia of curriculum and instruction (9 pages). Talaei, E. (Ed.). Tehran, Iran. www.daneshnamehicsa.ir.

Almond, R. G., Shute, V. J., Tingir, S., & Rahimi, S. (2020). Identifying observable outcomes in game-based assessments. In R. Lissitz & H. Jiao (Eds.), Applications of artificial intelligence to assessment. Information Age Publishing.

2019

Spann, C. A., Shute, V. J., Rahimi, S., & D’Mello, S. K. (2019). The productive role of cognitive reappraisal in regulating affect during game-based learning. Computers in Human Behavior, 100, 358–369. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2019.03.002

Shute, V. J., Rahimi, S., & Lu, X. (2019). Supporting learning in educational games: Promises and challenges. In P. Díaz, A. Ioannou, K. K. Bhagat, & J. M. Spector (Eds.), Learning in a Digital World. New York, NY: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-8265-9_4

Shute, V. J., Rahimi, S., & Smith, G. (2019). Game-based learning analytics in Physics Playground. In M. Chang, & A. Tlili (Eds.), Data analytics approaches in educational games and gamification systems (26 pages). New York: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-32-9335-9_4

Shute, V. J., Ke, F., Almond, R. G., Rahimi, S., et al. (2019). How to increase learning while not decreasing the fun in educational games. In R. Feldman (Ed.), Learning Science: Theory, Research, and Practice. McGraw-Hill.

2018 & Earlier

Binti Mat Sin, N., Ab Aziz, A., Othman, H., Rahimi, S. A., & Woods, P. (2011). E-learning Islamic studies for form four students. Computer Technology and Application, 2(6), 439–448. https://doi.org/10.17265/1934-7332/2011.06.004

Shute, V. J., & Rahimi, S. (2017). Review of computer-based assessment for learning in elementary and secondary education. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 33(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12172

Agharazidermani, M., Song, H., & Rahimi, S. (2011). Microblogging as an educational tool to advance learning: case studies and recent reports. In EDULEARN11 Proceedings (pp. 6181-6190). IATED. July 2011, Barcelona, Spain.

Rahimi, S., Song H., & Agharazidermani M. (2011). Perception and experiences of undergraduate students on using second life as a learning tool. In EDULEARN11 Proceedings (pp. 6181-6190). IATED. July 2011, Barcelona, Spain.

Rahimi, S., & Shute, V. J. (2016). Designing the class as a game to promote active learning in K–12 education. AECT 2016 Proceedings, 109–117.

Shute, V. J., Rahimi, S., & Sun, C. (2017). Measuring and supporting learning in educational games. In M. F. Young & S. T. Slota (Eds.), Exploding the castle: Rethinking how video games and game mechanics can shape the future of education. Information Age Publishing.

Shute, V. J., Rahimi, S., & Emihovich, B. (2018). Assessment for learning in immersive environments. In D. Liu, C. Dede, R. Huang, & J. Richards (Eds.), Virtual, augmented, and mixed realities in education. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-5490-7_5

Rahimi, S., Esmaeiligoujar, S., Ercan, D., & Shute, V. J. (under review). Stealth assessments in technology-rich learning environments: A systematic review of implementation, modeling, and psychometric quality. [preprint] Submitted to Review of Educational Research.

Rahimi, S., Babaee, M., Esmaeiligoujar, S., & Dede, C. (in press). Using Generative AI in K–12 Classrooms to Assess and Support Students’ Creativity: A Scoping Review. In R. Beghetto (Ed.), Oxford Handbook of Human Creativity × Generative AI in Education.

Rahimi, S., Esmaeiligoujar, S., Ercan, D., Gao, R., Keawphonkrang, S. (under review). Promoting growth mindset game-based learning: A systematic review of the literature. Submitted to the Gaming & Simulation journal.

Rahimi, S., Esmaeiligoujar, S., Gao, R., & Ercan*, D. (under review). Generative AI for productive failure task design: A design-based research study and human-in-the-loop validation framework. Submitted to Computers & Education.

Rahimi, S., Li, C., Esmaeiligoujar, S., Ercan, D., & Botelho, A. (2026). A Rubric-Guided Multimodal Approach Using High-Capacity LLMs Provides the Most Psychometrically Sound Creativity Assessment in a Learning Game. Creativity Research Journal. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400419.2026.2638384

Rahimi, S., Li, H., Esmaeiligoujar, S., & Ercan, D. (2026). Rubric-guided generative AI for scalable creativity assessment in educational games. In Proceedings of the 20th International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS 2026) (pp. 2828–2830). https://doi.org/10.22318/icls2026.756846

Ercan, D., Esmaeiligoujar, S., & Rahimi, S. (2025). Improving Pre-K–12 students’ executive functions using digital games: A systematic review. In Proceedings of the International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS 2025) (pp. 826–834). International Society of the Learning Sciences.

Rahimi, S., Ercan, D., Gao, R., Esmaeiligoujar, S., Babaee, M., et al. (2025). ProductiveMath: A Generative-AI-Powered App to Support Productive Failure Teaching. AIED 2025, 344–351. Springer.