How imagination and initiative equal positive differences in our communities.
- Human-Centered XR May 13, 2024
(Photo courtesy of Dr. Angelina Dayton, and used with permission.)- “When you put on a headset, you’re really trying to magnify your human presence, ” says Dr. Angelina Dayton.
That concept at the heart of her work, as Executive Director of the Virtual World Society.
With a background in both anthropology and education, Dr. Dayton is an expert in human-computer interaction. In addition to being a virtual reality researcher and trainer, she is a user experience designer and consultant.
Her focus is on the ways we, as human beings, can use technologies like XR and AI to create a better world, interacting with one another with kindness and thoughtfulness.
Immersed in innovation
Dr. Dayton has put literally thousands of people into VR headsets for the first time. One of her passion projects is introducing rural native communities to XR, with the goals of assisting them in cultural preservation while revitalizing their communities.
Long before joining the staff at the Virtual World Society, virtual reality had captured her imagination as an implement for education and social change. Her multiple visits to schools, introducing students to virtual reality for education, have led to her moniker: “The VR Lady”.
Today, her work with the nonprofit Virtual World Society amplifies her personal mission. The Virtual World Society, she explains, works to use emerging technologies for good–not just to make money, but to create a better world with opportunities accessible to all.
Dr. Dayton talked about her background, discussed some of her observations about human-computer interaction in the areas of VR and education, and offered a closer look at some of the Virtual World Society’s programs.
Meanwhile, Dr. Dayton will be speaking at AWE USA, which is happening in Long Beach, California, from Tuesday, June 18th, through Thursday, June 20th. Here’s the link for information–and if you can’t be present in-person, our understanding is that some of the talks will be live-streamed!
On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:
- How Dr. Dayton first became aware of virtual reality as a means of implementing positive social change;
- What she recently observed, about human interactions involving current technology;
- Her recollections of her own first VR experience;
- Her work with rural native communities;
- Why rural native communities’ efforts are magnified through learning virtual reality;
- How Dr. Dayton first came to be called “The VR Lady”:;
- How she first came onboard with The Virtual World Society;
- Some of the most fascinating things she’s discovering about human-computer interaction in VR and XR;
- How to get involved with the Virtual World Society, as they
- Dr. Dayton’s work in classrooms with XR and AI;
- A concept she emphasizes, in guiding teachers in the implementation of emerging technologies in their classrooms;
- One of her favorite moments, watching teachers use the new technologies in their intereaction with students;
- One of Dr. Dayton’s favorite “success stories” about a young student on the Cherokee Nation reservation, and his interactions with others through virtual reality;
- Two of the programs which the Virtual World Society implemented for social good, and how they evolved;
- How you can support the Virtual World Society (it doesn’t have to be with money!);
- The Future, Plus Imagination May 6, 2024
“What is your vision, for what (STEM) is?” asks Anthony Quan.
And when he hears school leaders’ answers, he’s going to alert them to additional, and imaginative, new possibilities.
Anthony, who is both the STEM Coordinator and the STEM Science Coordinator for the Los Angeles County Office of Education, Division of Curriculum and Instructional Services, draws on his background as a marine biologist and an award-winning middle school science teacher, to engage students’ imagination as they learn science, technology, engineering and math.
And these lessons are being applied, both to the world they know and to their possible future careers.
“It’s all about innovation and creativity,” he explains.
In addition to his work implementing STEM and STEAM initiatives for schools throughout Los Angeles County, Anthony supports several student events. These include the Los Angeles County Science and Engineering Fair and the Southern California Science Olympiad.
He is also the founder of the Los Angeles County Engaging Girls in STEM: a program designed to show girls the possibilities of future careers in science, technology, engineering and math.
Anthony talked about his background, shared the story of Engaging Girls in STEM and offered a closer look at the numerous resources available to students and educators through LACOE.
On this edition of Over Coffee®we cover:
- How Anthony first discovered his passion for science;
- His creative journey, from a background in marine biology to his career in education;
- The story of the Engaging Girls in STEM program;
- One of Anthony’s favorite memories for the first Engaging Girls in STEM event;
- A look back at this year’s Engaging Girls in STEM event;
- An examination of some of the STEM resources which L.A. County Office of Education offers, and what they can mean to girls who are more oriented towards the arts;
- One resource which he shares with teachers, for exploring STEM from an “arts” standpoint;
- A hint of an upcoming project which will incorporate the arts into STEM (more information to come, as we know more!);
- Some additional approaches to teaching science through a STEAM lens;
- An AR resource that’s making a long-beloved environmental character relatable to the next generation;
- A closer look at AI in the classroom, and the ethics involved;
- What Anthony considers the most fun, in engaging girls through science, technology, engineering, art and math;
- Some of the concepts Anthony used to engage his own students, during his time as a middle-school teacher;
- What Next Generation Science Standards are, and how they came about;
- How Anthony’s perspective on curriculum has changed, from observing his daughter and students learning;
- The technologies he considers most exciting, for empowering girls for future careers;
- An activity through which he guides teachers, to teach engagement;
- A more arts-oriented look at math;
- Some of the resources available for students for Summer, 2024;
- What Anthony would like to do with Engaging Girls in STEM within the next five years (hint: this would be a lot of fun!).
- Put On Your Best…Robot April 22, 2024
Due to a technical glitch, we’ll be running a backup show this week. Please enjoy this reposting of one of our top Over Coffee®episodes of 2023!
(Photograph courtesy of Emilie Faracci and used with permission.) A robot which can do something new, isn’t unusual.
But a miniature wearable robot, which can track health, monitor your workout and even teach you dance moves?
That’s the “Calico”, developed by researchers at the University of Maryland’s Small Artifacts Lab, or SMART Lab.
Anup Sathya, currently a doctoral student at the University of Chicago, is one of the developers of Calico.
While studying at the University of Maryland, Anup worked as a research assistant at the university’s Small Artifacts Lab–or SMART Lab, for short.
During that time, he and his team created and evolved the tiny wearable robot.
To say they miniaturized the technology, seems like an understatement. The current model weighs less than an ounce, and is smaller than two inches in diameter.
And it monitors its wearer by traveling over their clothing, operating on a track inspired by railways!
In this interview from Summer, 2023, Anup discussed the creative process behind Calico, explained how it works and shared some of the capabilities of this miniature, wearable robot.
On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:
- How Anup first became interested in electronics, computer science and robotics:
- The story of Calico;
- A unique “arts” application of the tiny robot;
- Some of the ways the design evolved over time;
- How students first reacted when seeing the tiny robot on-campus at University of Maryland;
- The reasons behind the name “Calico”;
- Resources Anup recommends;
- A closer look at the tasks Calico can perform;
- How the robot “coaches” a wearer;
- How users can transfer the robot, from one person to another;
- Some of the aesthetic considerations involved in creating Calico;
- The reason behind a statement Anup makes, about his research, on his personal website.