Sara Kassis

We will develop a network of investigators dedicated to developing transformative virtual field experiences for lower division underserved and underrepresented students at Community Colleges (CCs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges (TC), and other institutions that serve these students. The Research Coordination Network for Undergraduate Virtual Experiences as a Recruitment Tool for Underrepresented Students in STEM will make field biology experiences accessible through virtual technologies.

The research team is particularly motivated to investigate and advance the understanding of how to design, assess and disseminate XR contents and experiences to facilitate active learning in introductory STEM courses at both 4-year and 2-year Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs).

This project provides STEM faculty who participate in the XR-FLC cohorts compensation to support their participation in training and professional development. The two-day cohort onboarding workshop provides participants with technology training that familiarize them with XR technology and educational affordance provided by XR. There is also training on instructional design with XR through the XR-FLC's bi-weekly zoom meeting, considering that this modality of teaching is very new for many cohort participants.