As the number and complexity of instructional tools have increased, universities have rapidly adapted to ensure their students have the necessary tools and resources for academic success (Rafi et al., 2014; Rafi et al., 2020). One of these adaptations has been the creation of virtual learning platforms using Virtual Reality (VR) technology. This…

Preparing students for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education is one of the United States' K-12 educational concerns (Gandhi et al., 2016). Despite the National Science Foundation's (NSF) report that the number of students participating in STEM fields continues to increase, the number of underrepresented students…

Interacting with objects in virtual reality can be an exciting experience. Haptic feedback allows virtual environments to appear more immersive. Does this increased immersion bear the potential to enhance learning if used properly in educational VR environments? This dissertation pursued two goals. First, to investigate the relationship between…

This dissertation, utilizing a mixed-methods approach within a design-based research (DBR) framework, investigated the impact of augmented reality (AR) technology on the self-efficacy of preservice elementary teachers (PSTs) in integrated STEM teaching and technology. Incorporating both a pilot study and a subsequent dissertation study, the…

Integrating technology in education has shown to revolutionize the teaching and learning process in STEM education. It therefore becomes imperative that STEM teachers are skilled and well equipped to use technology in their classrooms. Professional development programs can serve as great channels for teachers to develop their technological…

This study examined the effectiveness of three instructional and assessment strategies on conceptual understanding of the DNA molecule. Specifically, a model building task was utilized to determine if physical model construction, digital model construction with a touchscreen tablet computer, or paper worksheet activity effected conceptual…

Embodied cognition posits that physical interactions with the environment play a crucial role in learning, including complex, abstract concepts in STEM disciplines. This is relevant for deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) learners who often utilize sign language, which is a naturally embodied, visuospatial mode of communication. My dissertation…

Learning practices and crosscutting concepts in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects pose challenges to young learners. Without external support to foster long-term interest and scaffold learning, children might lose interest in STEM subjects. While prior research has investigated how Augmented Reality(AR) may enhance…

This study employed a qualitative case study design to explore participants' perspective on learning STEM subjects through immersive mobile technologies. Immersive mobile learning (IML) is the learning approach that provides learners with immersive experiences and access to educational content ubiquitously using portable electronic devices.…

Emerging technologies in the classroom are paving the way towards high-quality, hands-on distance learning. Augmented Reality (AR), which overlays virtual information into the physical world, provides a promising solution for the development and delivery of collaborative educational content. Frameworks such as ARkit, ARCore, have enabled AR…

The purpose of this study was to analyze modes of professional development that prepare educators to deliver STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) based instruction at the elementary school level through the integration of technology. The study demonstrates the complexity and advantages of STEM centered learning which utilize…

The emerging technologies of augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) may have vast implications to societal communication and representation of information. AR/VR computer interfaces are unique in that they may be placed spatially around the user in three-dimensional (3D) space; this affords new methods of both presentation and user interaction with…

Though research efforts have been conducted to understand the strategies to increase female participation in STEM and relevant areas, including the construction field, still the desired outcomes have not been forthcoming. This study proposes to explore the innovative use of 360-degree immersive environments powered by virtual characters to tell…

Despite an extensive amount of research examining students' perceptions of alternative laboratory experiences, little focus has been aimed at the perceptions of adult learners. This two-phase mixed-methods study investigated the preferred at-home laboratory experience, and the factors that played a significant role in the user experiences, of…

Achieving an in-depth understanding of unfamiliar science concepts has been found to be difficult when learners can not index science language to relevant sensorimotor experiences. Ongoing research in embodied cognition highlights the importance of relevant sensorimotor experiences in understanding and learning new information. Aiming to foster…