Learning, Design, and Technology Students

Bishara ABDUL-HAMID is pursuing a Ph.D. in the Learning Sciences and conducts research at Penn State University, College of Education, specializing in Learning Design and Technology. He is dedicated to exploring innovative approaches within the realm of critical-constructionist, Afrofuturism and interest-driven methodologies. He investigates diverse STEM learning landscapes, delving into both formal and informal settings while also championing the incorporation of computational thinking and leadership skills. His extensive career journey encompasses founding digital media startups, investing in technology startups, and tenuring at prestigious tech giants, including Cisco Systems and AT&T. For more information, visit his website.

Stephanie Bowles is a learning, design, and technology doctoral student. She received her B.A. in International Relations with a minor in Asian Studies from Florida International University and her M.S. in Foreign Language Education with a graduate certificate in Asian Globalization from the same school. Stephanie has over 7 years of TESOL experience in higher education and academies and is certified in iOS Development and Computer Science by the Bloomtech Institute of Technology. Her research interests include designing immersive technologies for learning and informal learning in online spaces.

Before coming to Penn State, Jen taught high school math and computer science and was a district-wide secondary instructional technology coach. In addition to getting a Ph.D. in LDT, she is working on a graduate minor in Educational Leadership. She has a research interest in studying learning in school emergency preparedness. Specifically, she brings a sociocultural approach to educational leadership to study how leaders and educators conceptually and effectively make sense of emergencies.

Emre Dinç, currently a Ph.D. student, specializes in mathematical reasoning, computer programming, and teacher learning. He obtained his bachelor′s degree in mathematics education in Turkey and went on to complete his master′s in educational technology at the University of Delaware. During his Ph.D. program, he served as a graduate research assistant on an NSF-funded project focused on scaffolding pre-service early childhood teachers in debugging block-based programming. Furthermore, he gained experience as a graduate research assistant at the John A. Dutton Institute for Teaching and Learning Excellence at Penn State. Presently, he is a graduate research assistant on a project that revolves around the development of an AI assistant for equitable STEM. To learn more about Emre′s work and upcoming projects please feel free to visit his website.

I play the piano and violin and look at learning in classical music spaces; I am especially interested in diversity and equity issues within those spaces.

Lillyanna Faimon is a learning, design, and technology doctoral student. She received her B.S. in Cognitive Science from Indiana University and her M.S. in Learning, Design, and Technology from Penn State University. Her research interests focus on how the intersection of STEM and the arts, STEAM, and maker education can support interest development and learning in informal settings.

I am a designer with a background in architecture, interested in the impact of the design of physical and virtual learning environments on student learning. Another research area that intrigues me is design and architecture studios and the learning that happens within them.

Charles Keith is a doctoral student in Learning, Design, and Technology. He received his B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and his M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. His research interests include learning conversations, mobile learning technologies, and informal learning environments related to STEM based mobile learning opportunities. He is also a member of the transdisciplinary NSF-NRT LINDIV (Linguistic Diversity Across the Lifespan) graduate research traineeship program currently investigating gaps between human linguistic diversity and technological linguistic illiteracy.

Information: Breneil is a nonbinary PhD student in Learning, Design, and Technology with Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, advised by Dr. Tanner Vea. Breneil′s research interests focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging through qualitative methodologies and the interdisciplinary frameworks of pedagogical, psychological, and critical theories. Their research topics span inclusive learning design for LGBT+ identifying as transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC); how design promotes toxic masculinity, patriarchal ideals, and privilege; normative versus nonconventional perceptions of social justice; human sexuality and expression; polygamy in monistic cultures; and recreational bodybuilding as a medium of empowerment and gender and sexual identity expression. Breneil′s goal is to support the democratization of higher education through social justice. To learn more about Breneil′s upcoming projects, please feel free to visit their website.

Christina D. Reeves has taught secondary and higher education English and Communication courses. Additionally, she received her minor in Musical Theatre at Montclair State University. For this reason, creative expression is an essential aspect of her pedagogical identity. Her interests are digital interventions that facilitate interpersonal skill development and healthy communication climates in educational settings. One primary current research focus is the use of immersive stories to help build prosocial behaviors using immersive storytelling. To learn more about Chris's creative works and upcoming projects, please feel free to visit her website.

I'm a Ph.D. Candidate in the Learning, Design, and Technology Program at Penn State University. Drawing on sociocultural theories and equity-oriented learning designs, I'm interested in exploring alternative learning approaches to reduce poverty and economic inequality. In my research, I'm studying the relationship between financialization, financial literacy, and financial inclusion, developing a sociocritical approach to financial literacy.

A current educator with a focus on online learning. Research interests include teacher professional development and shifting teaching practices.

Xingxing Xie is a doctoral student in learning, design, and technology. Her research intersects with literacy, language education, and technology. In particular, she is interested in using mixed methods to explore how emerging technologies, such as augmented reality, digital game-based learning, and AI, can support students′ reading and writing development. Prior to joining LDT, she was a secondary English teacher in China.

Ping Xu is a doctoral student in Learning, Design, and Technology. She received her B.S. in Psychology from China and her M.S. in Teaching and Curriculum from the University of Rochester. Her research interests include learning environment design, collaborative learning, and STEAM education in formal and informal settings.