Writing & Presentations
Cross Reality (XR): Challenges and Opportunities Across the Spectrum
Cross Reality resources hold promise for enhancing instruction and learning experiences in and out of the classroom. XR applications can provide the foundation for new types of learning environments and experiences while bringing users together to create unique communities of inquiry and practice. Here we explore the opportunities and benefits of harnessing the affordances of XR while exploring the challenges associated with implementation. Recommendations and implications for future research.
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Immersive Learning Environments: Designing XR into Higher Education
The body of research supporting the inclusion of extended reality (XR) into higher education is substantial. However, due to the pandemic and the need to increase virtual presence with remote students and workers, the incorporation of diverse XR options into education is catching serious attention of university administrators. Instructional designers (IDs) are well trained in the analysis, design, implementation, and evaluation skills needed to select appropriate platforms and uses of XR. This chapter illustrates how IDs can assist in high-level design decisions regarding these resources. Familiar models and design approaches are recommended along with templates for working with leadership regarding research and funding and evaluating XR for best use for the higher education applications.
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LinkedIn Articles
Educators in VR 2020 International Summit: A Virtual Phoenix from the Fire
Visiting the Dublin Docklands with 3DcampVR
Survey Does Not Show That Instructional Designers Drive Better Student Outcomes
State of XR 2020: My Conclusions
Designing with TransMedia - Watch This Space
So you want to work as WGU faculty
What does the Space age teach us about Instructional Design?
How to connect in remote teams
A History of XR Cross Reality (6 part series)
5 Tips for A First-Time Conference Proposal Writer
Thrive Global
Medium
I post additional content on XR at the Instructional Designers in Education Facebook Group and at my blog.
Videos
Podcasts
Podcast with Clark Aldrich
Episode 28: With Heather Dodds on The Killer App Uses of Virtual Reality in Education Today
November 22, 2019
Topic: Despite the hype, there may be just two best uses of virtual reality in education today. But CLOs and Deans can take other steps as well.
Guest: Heather Dodds
Podcast with Two Maverixs Multimedia
New Worlds for Imagination
XR Senior Researcher, VR event designer and author Dr. Heather Dodds discusses the process of creating events in virtual and mixed reality. July 27, 2020
Newsletters
Spatial News #005 by Joh Orengo, December 9, 2021
Introducing Andi, 21st century student
Sticking with how to improve your meta-cognition (I’m smirking), here is an excellent explainer video about how and why XR (Extended Reality or Cross Reality) can (and should) be used in education.(The video’s on the fast side, but it gives you a chance to stop, absorb the information, and consider the implications.) Based on the new academic book Cross Reality (XR): Challenges and Opportunities Across the Spectrum (2021) by C. Ziker, B. Truman, & H. Dodds in the Innovative Learning Environments in STEM Higher Education series by Springer.
Spatial News #008 by Joh Orengo, January 12, 2022
Reference to this article at FastCompany that connects current metaverse conversations to the more than decade old OpenSimulator community.
Warning: the article contains very adult content and can be disturbing for some readers. https://www.fastcompany.com/90708951/opensimulator-offers-a-glimpse-of-what-a-decentralized-metaverse-might-look-like
Academic Writing
Publications & Presentations - See Research Gate for more
Dodds, H. (2021). Immersive Learning Environments: Designing XR into Higher Education. In J. E.Stefaniak, S. Conklin, B. Oyarzun, & R. M. Reese (Eds.), A Practitioner's Guide to InstructionalDesign in Higher Education. EdTech Books. (PDF) Immersive Learning Environments: Designing XR into Higher Education. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352799666_Immersive_Learning_Environments_Designing_XR_into_Higher_Education.
Economou, D., Peña-Rios, A., Dengel, A., Dodds, H., Mentzelopoulos, M., Klippel, A., Erenli, K., Lee, M. J. W. & Richter, J. (Eds.) (2021). Proceedings of 2021 7th International Conference of the Immersive Learning Research Network (iLRN), Online, May 17 - June 10, 2021. Immersive Learning Research Network. ISBN 978-1-7348995-2-8/21 (PDF) Conference Proceedings of the 2021 7th International Conference of the Immersive Learning Research Network (iLRN). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352439096_Conference_Proceedings_of_the_2021_7th_International_Conference_of_the_Immersive_Learning_Research_Network_iLRN
Ziker, C., Truman, B., & Dodds, H. (2021). Cross reality (XR): Challenges and opportunities across the spectrum. Innovative Learning Environments in STEM Higher Education, 55.
Economou, D., Klippel, A., Dodds, H., Peña-Rios, A., Lee, M. J. W., Beck, D., Pirker, J., Dengel, A., Peres, T. M., & Richter, J. (Eds.) (2020). Immersive Learning Research Network.Proceedings of 6th International Conference, iLRN 2020, Online, June 21-25, 2020. Immersive Learning Research Network. ISBN 978-1-7348995-0-4
Dodds, H. (2020). Calling all angels: Designing and analyzing XR Research. Presented at Educators in VR International Summit 2020, February 20, 2020.
Dodds, H. (2019). Back to the Future: From science fiction to science future, using patterns to predict the future of educational technology. Presented at SUNY Potsdam Disciplined Inquiry into Education Seminar Series, October 30, 2019. (Content of this presentation is replicated in A History of XR Cross Reality (6 part series).
Dodds, H. (2018). Virtual Reality and Mirror Neurons. Presented at SUNY Potsdam IT566 Simulations & Games for Teaching and Learning June 20, 2018.
Dodds, H. (2013). Can virtual science foster real skills? A study of inquiry skills in a virtual world. Proquest Dissertation and Theses. Available at https://search.proquest.com/openview/cdbab8fbce9a83706cd1a1b76803b31a/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
Dodds, H. (2011). Designing virtual worlds for inquiry: Can it be done? Proceedings of the International Conference on Designing and Modeling in Science, Education, and Technology 2011.
Dodds, H. & Schmidt, S. (2010). Technology applications that promote inquiry learning. Proceedings of the 16th Annual Sloan Consortium International Conference on Online Learning.
Dodds, H. (2010). Inquiry-based learning in virtual worlds: Are we asking the right questions? Proceedings of the E-Learn 2010 World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare & Higher Education 2010.
Smolka, J., Johnson, S., Glover, T. & Dodds, H. (2009). Adult learning communities: does self-efficacy predetermine participation? Paper presented at and published in the conference proceedings of the Adult Education Research conference, Chicago, IL, May 29, 2009.
Dodds, H. & Schmidt, S. (2008). Mentoring adult learners in a virtual environment: dispositional and communication strategies for mentors. Paper presented at and published in the conference proceedings of the Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education’s World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, & Higher Education, Las Vegas, NV, Nov 21, 2008.
Dodds, H. (2008). Mentor as matchmaker: Online social learning groups created and maintained by faculty. Presented at the 57th American Association for Adult and Continuing Education Conference, November 13, 2008.
Izumi, A. & Dodds, H. (2007). Online Competency-based Teachers College: Western Governor's University in T. Bastiaens and S. Carliner (Eds.), Proceedings of E-Learn 2007 World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, & Higher Education. (pp. 1600-1601). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
Rea-Ramirez, M., Smolka, J., Zappala, A., Lotze, C., Spear, S., Stevens, M., Gubbels, P., Schmidt, S., Small, H. & Schlag, K. (2006). Using Technology to Individualize and Enhance Authentic Learning for Teacher Preparation in a Competency Based Online University, Part 1. In T. Reeves & S. Yamashita (Eds.), Proceedings of World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2006 (pp. 868-870). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
Ramirez, M. & Dodds, H. (2006). Challenging Preconceptions about Science Teaching and Learning in an Online Environment. In C. Crawford et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2006 (pp. 4046-4051). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
Challenging Preconceptions about Science Teaching and Learning in an Online Environment. (2006). Poster presentation with Dr. M. Ramirez at 17th International Conference of the Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education, Orlando, FL., March 22, 2006.
Dodds, H. & Schmidt, S. (2006). Creating science teachers in a virtual environment: the Western Governors University Model. In C. Crawford et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2006 (pp. 324-335). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
Creating science teachers in a virtual environment: WGU’s mentoring model. (2006). Roundtable presentation with Dr. S. Schmidt at 17th International Conference of the Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education, Orlando, FL., March 22, 2006.