Troy Abel
Assistant Professor of Communication Design, College of Visual Arts and Design (CVAD)
Dr. Troy Abel is an Assistant Professor of Communication Design in the College of Visual Arts and Design (CVAD) at University of North Texas (UNT). He received his PhD in Human Computer Interaction and MFA in Graphic Design both from Iowa State University. Previously, he was a User Research Manager and Senior Strategists for Key Lime Interactive, a usability consultancy. Prior to that, he was an Assistant Professor of Visual Communication Design at Virginia Tech and the director of the new Eye Tracking and Usability Testing lab (ETUT) at VT. He previously was the Graduate Program Director for the Individualized Ph.D. in Human Centered Design.
Research projects:
- Flexible classrooms in UX learning
The impact of flexible physical spaces on collaboration, active learning, and student assessment in UX design education
Contact Info:
Jacqueline DeMeritt
Associate Professor of Political Science, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Jacqueline DeMeritt is Associate Professor of Political Science and in the Castleberry Peace Institute. She specializes in reasons and remedies for repression. Current research focuses on how state leaders choose among repressive tools (torture, killing, disappearance, etc.) and on why low-level perpetrators participate in government-ordered slaughter. Other research interests include the application of quantitative methodology and formal theory to social scientific processes, and the use of artificial intelligence in education. Her work has appeared in such journals as the American Journal of Political Science, the Journal of Conflict Resolution, and the Journal of Peace Research. She received her BA from Binghamton University (SUNY) in 2003 and her MS and PhD from Florida State University in 2005 and 2009, respectively.
Research projects:
- AI-driven online discussions
Investigating the Impact of an AI-Driven Platform on Discussion Quality and Instructor Workflow
Contact Info:
Aleshia Hayes
Assistant Professor of Learning Technologies, College of Information
Dr. Aleshia Hayes is new faculty in University of North Texas’ Department of Learning Technology in the College of Information. Dr. Hayes is passionate about developing, evaluating, and iterating on technology used for learning in formal and informal environments. Previously Dr. Aleshia Hayes was founding Director of SURGE (Simulation Research and Game Experience) VR lab at Purdue University in Fort Wayne where she led design, development, testing and implementation of Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Mixed Reality, Serious Games and gamified Learning Technology tools for commercial and military partners. In addition to a passion for the effective implementation of emerging technology for learning, Dr. Hayes works tirelessly to encourage students at all levels to pursue STEM education and STEM careers with the explicit goal of expanding and diversifying STEM education and the STEM workforce. Her efforts to recruit students into STEM range from public exhibits of Virtual Reality, to K12 classroom visits, to app development camps for middle and high school aged students to hosting interdisciplinary game development events. Dr. Hayes leverages her research funded by NSF, NIH, the Department of Defense and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to inform Learning Technology design and implementation across learners from K12 and university levels to the workforce.
Research projects:
- Technology and pedagogy in virtual spaces
Coming soon: VR/AR and inclusion
Contact Info:
Lin Lin
Professor of Learning Technologies, College of Information
Dr. Lin Lin is a professor of learning technologies and learning sciences at the College of Information, UNT. Lin received her doctoral degree in instructional technology and media at Teachers College, Columbia University. Lin’s research looks into intersections of mind, brain, and technology. Specifically, she has published in areas such as virtual reality, media multitasking, multimedia design, CSCL, and learning in virtual spaces. Lin currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the journal Educational Technology Research and Development (Development Section, http://www.springer.com/11423) and plays several other leadership roles in affiliated professional associations.
Research projects:
- AI-driven online discussions
Investigating the Impact of an AI-Driven Platform on Discussion Quality and Instructor Workflow
Contact Info:
J. Michael Spector
Professor of Learning Technologies, College of Information
Dr. Spector is Professor and Former Chair of Learning Technologies at the University of North Texas. His recent research is in the areas of intelligent support for instructional design, system dynamics based learning environments, assessing learning in complex domains, distance learning, and technology integration in education. Dr. Spector served on the International Board of Standards for Training, Performance and Instruction (IBSTPI) as Executive Vice President; he is on the Executive Committee of the IEEE Learning Technology Technical Committee and is Past-President of the Association for Educational and Communications Technology (AECT). He was also the editor of the ETR&D, and serves on numerous other editorial boards. He co-edited the third and fourth editions of the Handbook of Research on Educational Communications and Technology, as well as the Encyclopedia of Educational Technology, and has more than 125 journal articles, book chapters and books to his credit.
Research projects:
- Technology and gaming apps in critical thinking
Technology-enabled applications to promote the development of inquiry and critical thinking skills
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Ruthanne "Rudi" Thompson
Associate Professor of Biology, College of Science
Dr. Rudi Thompson is a UNT Distinguished Teaching Professor, faculty member in the department of Biological Sciences, and is the Executive Director of the Center for Learning Experimentation, Application, and Research (CLEAR) at UNT. She has been in the teaching realm for more than 30 years, with experience teaching learners from PreK through Grey. Her research focuses on the space and/or the barriers between teaching and learning in science.
Research projects:
- AI-driven online discussions
Investigating the Impact of an AI-Driven Platform on Discussion Quality and Instructor Workflow - AR in biology learning
The effect of virtual reality and immersive spaces on collaboration, active learning, and student assessment in Biology education