NSF RITEL

Due date in 2024: Nov 5

NJW's authorization letter: weliweriya_eligibility_ritel_copy.pdf

Link to the announcement: https://new.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/research-innovative-technologies-enhanced-learning

Up to $900k for 3 years

• Support early-stage research in emerging technologies for teaching (and learning) in real-world educational environments
• Support future-oriented exploratory and synergistic research in emerging technologies for teaching
• Special interest in diverse learner populations and developing new educational technologies for budget-limited schools, colleges, and universities
  • while some techs are becoming more accessible, others are still out of reach for many communities. Research is needed that considers how to employ emerging techs in real-world environments such as under-resourced schools and institutions.
  • encourages programs that broaden participation, expand STEM pathways, ensure educational equity, promote diversity, inclusion, and access in STEM education.
• Synthesis of multiple disciplines
  • high-impact interdisciplinary research team; educators, engineers, behavioral science, etc. Envisions diverse cross-disciplinary teams that approach teaching technologies with complementary perspectives and scientific rigor.
• Project must advance fundamental research in both teaching and technology.
• Research should be theory-driven and apply human-centered design methods to explore proof-of-concept or feasibility of innovative learning techs in support of new teaching experiences.
• Primary goal should be investigating a new technology in the context of advancing teaching (not primarily developing a technology).
• Should have a clear research objectives that integrate teaching and tech.
  • researching new teaching processes and approaches (e.g., andragogy and pedagogy) or cognitive learning theory
  • it is insufficient to simply implement or test an existing technology even if innovative. Incremental advances in existing techs or deployment/implementation of existing techs in novel learning contexts will not be funded through RITEL!
    • Examples of emerging technology research include: AI-driven tech; virtual, immersive, interactive environments; multi-modal sending of cognitive or affective states; learning analytics and dashboards; etc. The technology research must advance fields involving computer science, information science, and/or engineering.

Improving the current 3D co-annotation tool.

While virtual environments are particularly effective for teaching many STEM topics, in real classroom settings, educators face several logistical challenges—like securing enough VR headsets, managing devices to ensure student engagement, user discomfort from prolonged use of VR, facts that not all topics require VR, setup time for instructors using headsets, etc.

To address these issues, we propose designing a practically viable immersive environment that supports a hybrid model of teaching and learning. In this setup, some students could use VR headsets, while others or all join via 2-D display devices such as tablets, notebooks, and smartphones. The instructor could wear a VR headset to display 3D models and make 3D annotations, and students could participate as avatars in the virtual space. In the new hybrid environment, even 2D users could participate in co-annotations by controlling the depth as in many 3D games with multiple control keys. This could significantly enhance collaborative learning.

The RITEL proposals emphasize not only make advances in teaching/leaning but also advancing technology rather than just implementing existing tools. We believe this approach, utilizing our rich 3D astronomy simulations (some of them are near complete), physics lectures, and potentially engineering courses, could strengthen our research approach. It would also help us collect data on multi-user collaborations, eliminate equipment limitations, and ensure equal access for all students, allowing them to engage comfortably with their own devices.

• Title: Interactive Astronomy: Promoting Active Learning with Immersive Experiences
• Period: 06/01/2025 - 05/31/2028
• Team: IS [PI], NJW [Co-PI], DS [Grad. Student]