Smart Thermostats, Code-Switching, Video Help for Patients: Recent Research from the Ivan Allen College

Posted January 13, 2025

Here are a few quick summaries of recently produced research from faculty and students in the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts.

Smart Thermostats Cut Energy Use During Peak Hours

A study co-authored by the School of Economics’ Casey Wichman found that smart thermostats with automation can help households significantly cut energy use during peak electricity pricing hours, without making residents feel too uncomfortable. Published in the American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, the research evaluated the Eco+ feature on Ecobee thermostats, which adjusts cooling based on electricity prices. The randomized study of Ontario households found the feature reduced air conditioning use by 88% during peak times. The savings were modest, less than a quarter per day in U.S. currency. But the researchers say the widespread adoption of such technology could significantly reduce peak electricity demand and reduce the need for more power plants. They say the findings underscore automation’s potential to improve energy efficiency.

Video Tool Could Help Exercisers, Patients

Georgia Tech researchers — including one from the School of Literature, Media, and Communication — have developed a free, easy-to-use toolkit to analyze human movements in real time using video. The tool, called StreamPoseML, can be used to solve movement analysis problems and provide instant feedback on whether movements are executed successfully. As the researchers, report in their paper recently published in the Journal of Open Source Software, it works by identifying key points on the body, such as joints, and labeling them to understand different actions. It was created by LMC Research Scientist Milka Trajkova; Nathaniel Green, a former Georgia Tech student and independent researcher; and Minoru Shinohara, an associate professor at Georgia Tech’s College of Sciences and Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering. The researchers say their tool could be helpful in numerous contexts, including ballet and other artistic sports, physical therapy, and fitness programs — especially for people who want to do exercises at home.

Study Explores How Gen Z Japanese Americans Blend Languages in Texts

A new study from the School of Modern Languages researcher Hongchen Wu and recent graduate Ema Goh reveals how Gen Z Japanese Americans seamlessly switch between English and Japanese in text messages, showcasing a unique "bilingual texting style." In a paper recently published in Linguistics Vanguard, the researchers reported that participants mixed languages within and between sentences, used Romanized Japanese, and creatively combined writing scripts. The findings suggest that code-switching in digital communication reflects cultural identity and linguistic proficiency, rather than language gaps. The study highlights how digital spaces allow bilinguals to express both linguistic fluency and cultural heritage. This adds new insights to how technology shapes modern multilingual communication.

Study Finds Students Struggle with Project Time Management in Technical Communications Classes

A study co-authored by Rebecca E. Burnett, professor emerita in the School of Literature, Media, and Communication; Andy Frazee, director of the Writing and Communication Program; and Olga Menagarishvili, former Brittain Postdoctoral Fellow and now associate professor at Metro State University, found that computer science students in technical communication courses consistently misjudged the time and work needed for assignments. In their paper published recently in IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication, the authors reported that most students overestimated the amount of time needed to complete assignments while underestimating the number of revisions required, exposing gaps in their project management skills. The study also revealed little difference in estimation accuracy between in-person and hybrid learning formats. The researchers say the findings suggest a need for educators to teach time management and planning strategies, which are critical skills for workplace success.