“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!);