Teaching

Creativity and critical thinking are core values that are central to my teaching practice. Technology is constantly evolving and students need to adapt to current trends in order to adjust to the changing artistic, cultural, and social climate. My creative research revolves around contemporary art and interactive design, and I have been teaching for more than 16 years in the areas of UX/UI, multimedia, graphics, and fine arts. Teaching basic skills and techniques, while drawing upon historical and theoretical examples, provides students with a strong foundation for developing their own ideas. As an educator, the main challenge for me is to teach technical mastery while encouraging and nurturing a creative and critical mind.

Courses taught 2014 – 2022

Research & Thesis

“Game Based Learning and Teaching Children  Mindfulness”
– MS Thesis Chair – Lexi Mitchel – (2019 Fall)

“The Use of Non-Speech Audio to Enhance Online Learning Experience”
– co-author – Edu Psych PhD Co-Chair – Yun  Li – (2019 Spring) 

This project included 2 undergraduate teams in a course called Vertical Studio and involved development in Audio Web API. The research was presented AREA Conference April 2019.

“An Interactive VR Experience With A Bifurcated Perspective ”
– Undergraduate Scholar Program – BFA Thesis Chair – Sarah Brown – (2018 Fall)

This included 1 undergraduate team in a course called Vertical Studio along with development in three.js and voice synthetics.

“Exploring new training applications for educators teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorder”
– MS Thesis Chair – Alyssa Besly – (2018 Summer) 

Awards, Student Awards, & Publications

2021 Using Sound to Enhance Interactions in an Online Learning Environment co-authored a chapter in the book with Yun Li, a PhD in online Education Technologies Titled “Learning Technologies and User Interaction” which is coming out on Routledge. Edited by Kay K. Seo and Scott Gibbons.

2021 VR /UX Research Sickle cell anemia project with Nemours Children’s Health.
Continued Preliminary research with a dedicated Team and 2nd prototype design for a Virtual Reality Sickle Cell experience help patients focused on hydroxyurea treatment for ages 12-21. These efforts have helped the project move to clinical trials and as a result, received further funding from Nemours.

2020    Vertical Studio, UX / UI Research Sickle cell anemia project with Jefferson University Hospital.
Students worked on preliminary research for 1st prototype design for a Virtual Reality Sickle Cell experience focused on hydroxyurea treatment for patients 12-21. These efforts helped contribute to the project later receiving a grant for further investigation.

2019    Vertical Studio, UX / UI Research project with the Texas Central Bullet Train featured online.
Students’ studio project was selected to be included in an online article by Launch DFW, a forward-thinking media company with a focus on tech innovation, Industry, and connectivity.

2018    Vertical Studio, student project selected for Aggie Muster
Students’ work was selected to be included in Aggie Muster, an annual tradition honoring Aggies who have passed away. Along with the campus Muster in Reed Arena, there are over 300 annual Musters held worldwide.

2017    Vertical Studio, Texas Bullet Train Short Film Competition
Three student teams were finalists out of 50 submissions and two teams won awards in the area of Live Action and Creativity, amounting to $14000.00 in awards. The work was judged on adherence to the topic and technical use of video design and creativity. See videos here

2017     Senior Interactive Design Project, featured in campus news
As part of a collaborative project with Lee Taekyeom and Appalachian State University, student’s work in Vertical Studio featured on the College of Architecture’s news feed. See Images of installation here

2016    Eman Al-Zubeidi & Amy Self, Diversity Award, College of Architecture, Texas A&M University
The Diversity Council for the College of Architecture awarded a film that was developed in my first graphic focused Vertical Studio course. The contest recognizes excellence in diversity across campus. This project was also a finalist for a mural in the 2018 SXSW outstanding thought, leadership, research, and innovations exhibition. See animated short here

2014     Rachel Mayer, Aggie Voice Contest, Texas A&M University
Mayer created an assignment in my class that won First Place Honors in the video division of the University Writing Center’s Aggie Voices Contest.  The contest recognizes excellence in undergraduate communication by honoring outstanding projects in writing and video.

2013     Gerard McGarity, Philadelphia Magazine featured videos, Philadelphia University
Kinetic Type Diversity project which features Harvey Bernard Milk, an American politician who became the first openly gay person elected to public office. This class project was selected to be featured in an online magazine which has received over 77,410 views.