Episode 31 - Brave New Reality: Exploring Research into Virtual Environments

Oct 21 2021 • 33 mins

Dr. Aleshia Hayes is an assistant professor in UNT’s Department of Learning Technologies and director of the SURGE XR Lab, which is dedicated to advancing research in virtual, augmented, mixed and extended realities. As a kid, a desire to be better at Ms. Pac-Man – and an unexpected Christmas gift from her parents – jumpstarted her love of technology. “If you get the sense that you can explore technology without any fear, then you can do all kinds of things,” she says. And that’s exactly what she does in her lab, where she investigates not just emerging technologies, but human-computer interactions. One of her biggest questions centers around user experience and design thinking: Is a particular digital tool an engaging and effective device for learning, and if not, can it be reconfigured to become one? On this episode, we delve into Hayes’ research, as well as her commitment to diversifying the STEM field through her Girls SURGE into STEM XR camp, which introduces underrepresented female students in grades 6-12 to design thinking.

In this episode, we discuss:

● The differences between AR/XR/MR/VR

● Emerging technologies as learning tools and vehicles for empathy

● Representation in avatars

● Diversifying the STEM field

Featured in this episode is:

● Dr. Aleshia Hayes, assistant professor of learning technologies

Helpful links:

● Learn more about the Girls SURGE into STEM XR Camp