Recent research shows that deaf signers show increased behavioral and neural sensitivity to certain types of movement, such as biological motion, human actions, and signing avatars. However, other work suggests that in deaf signers exposed to signed language before age five, the mirror mechanism has minimal involvement during the perception of…

The purpose of the current study was to examine the effectiveness of virtual reality as a creative adaptive learning tool to help participants control their perceived stress and, in turn, their psychological well-being. The study leveraged humanistic learning theory to conceptualize findings. 353 participants were recruited from five high schools…

At the molecular level, chemical processes involve the rearrangement of atoms in space and time. Students often struggle with visualizing the 3D spatial characteristics of molecules and transition states, as well as recognizing the dynamic nature of chemistry. Both visual spatial skills and representational competence should be explicitly trained…

Achievement emotions are critical for students' academic performance and career choices. The previous literature has focused on one specific type of achievement emotions--test anxiety--in Western contexts and neglected other various emotions experienced in different occasions such as attending classes. The present study aims to address the…

Technology development is moving rapidly and our dependence on information services is growing. Building a broadband infrastructure that can support future demand and change is therefore critical to social, political, economic and technological developments. It is often up to local policy makers to find the best solutions to support this demand…

This dissertation describes a line of research that addresses translational research questions related to the use of computerized simulation to affect the knowledge, beliefs, motivation and self-management behaviors of individuals with chronic disease. The specific research projects focus on type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and physical activity as…