The Institute for Digital Intermedia Arts (IDIA Lab) explores the intersection between the arts, sciences, humanities with technology. Scholarly, creative and pedagogical projects investigate virtual reality, human computer interface (HCI), augmented reality, and much more.

IDIA Lab’s most recent project is collaborating on a $3 million dollar National Science Foundation grant with Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Educational Testing Services and Indiana University to create simulations for elementary math and science classrooms. With the COVID-19 pandemic pushing K-12 schools and universities to adopt online approaches, there is a need for effective methods for pre-service teachers to practice teaching if traditional school-based teaching experiences are less available.

The Online Practice Suite for consists of a coordinated set of online practice-based teaching activities that include game-based practice spaces, small-group avatar-based simulations, and a virtual reality classroom. The activities are designed to be complemented with targeted feedback and support from teacher educators.

With the COVID-19 pandemic increasingly pushing K-12 schools and universities across the nation to adopt online approaches, there is an immediate need for finding effective methods for pre-service teachers to practice teaching even if traditional in-school teaching experiences are less available.

 

Learn more about the project here.