Professional Development
My goal is to gain knowledge, skills, and experience to become a professional researcher and contribute to the fields of Learning, Design, and Technology, and foreign language learning. I hope the research studies that I conduct can contribute to the scholarly knowledge in our field, help in-service language teachers, and improve young language learners’ learning experiences and outcomes. Currently, my short-term goals are to:
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Develop a conceptual framework for an initial VR study in Chinese learning for elementary school learners.
Enhance my knowledge and skills in research design and research methods.
Present at the AECT convention in 2023.
Publish a literature review of the use of VR in elementary school, especially in early language learning.
Get broader research experience by engaging in other research studies with peers and faculty members.
Gain experience by helping Grant Application.
Research
My adventure in the Learning, Design, and Technology program at UGA began with writing a research proposal for the EDIT 8100 Foundation in IT course. This assignment let me realize that I was a blank paper in conducting research, as my master’s degree was a non-thesis type. Instead of building up professional achievements, I had to dig down into the soil to make up the foundations and relevant skills to conduct a rigorous research study. Therefore, besides the coursework, I attended the following workshops held by UGA Library to support my growth as a scholar.
Spring into Research 2021
March 8 Overview of Library Resources and Services
March 9 Introduction to EndNote for Macs
March 11 Introduction to Data Visualization
March 17 Introduction to Systematic Reviews
Fall into Research 2021
September 15 Pivot Training
September 16 Introduction to RefWorks
September 22 Literature Review in the Humanities
September 23 PsycINFO
Teaching
Thanks to Gretchen and Dr. Knapp, I was able to gain teaching experience in teaching and facilitating both undergraduate- and graduate-level courses at the beginning of my doctoral study. I had opportunities to develop a course syllabus, create an online course website, write a teaching philosophy statement, and work with adult learners. These teaching activities successfully build up my competencies to be an instructor in higher education.
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Spring 2021 Teaching Assistant - EDIT 8400E: Games and Learning
Intern - EDIT 2000: Teaching and Learning with Technology
CTL GradTeach Workshop: Teaching Philosophy Statements
CTL TA Café: Active Learning as a TA
Summer 2021 Teaching Assistant - EDIT 6150E: Introduction to Digital Learning
Fall 2021 Instructor of Record - EDIT 2000E: Teaching and Learning with Technology (1 session)
Spring 2022 Instructor of Record - EDIT 2000E: Teaching and Learning with Technology (2 sessions)
Service
During my first-year doctoral study at UGA, I treasured the opportunities that enabled me to get involved in the LDT learning community both inside and outside the program study. It was my honor to serve in a graduate student association to support LDT students’ learning and study. Volunteering for the AECT convention was my first convention experience, which allowed me to know trends and findings in my interest fields, observe presenters, and build social connections with researchers worldwide. Outside the academic area, my judging experiences helped me keep a connection with real classrooms. It reminds me to conduct meaningful and practical research studies to benefit learning in authentic classroom contexts.
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Secretary of the Career & Information Studies Graduate Association (CISGA) in the Department of Career & Information Studies at the University of Georgia. The 2021-2022 Executive Committee. Athens, GA, US.
Volunteer for Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) Convention. November 2021. Chicago, IL, US.
Judge for Georgia Student Technology Competition. April 2021. Mobile Apps category. Atlanta, GA, US.
Judge for Barrow County Student Technology Competition. November 2021. 9th and 10th Grade, Digital Game Design category. Athens, GA, US.
Judge for Barrow County Student Technology Competition. February 2021. 5th and 6th Grade, Digital Game Design and Multimedia Application categories. Athens, GA, US.