2/25/19 - Dr. Aroutis Foster - Life at the confluence of domains: Educational Psychology and Educational Technology for primal and self learning

Post date: Feb 25, 2019 6:29:2 PM

Abstract: In this presentation, Dr. Foster will discuss themes from his research related to game analysis, game integration, game design, and identity-based motivation. Specifically, he will present a deep dive in two projects connected to the CAREER study. The CAREER project involves the systematic game analysis of virtual learning environments, the design and creation of a virtual learning environment called Regional Planning, the creation of virtual learning environment curriculum called Virtual City Planning, and the investigation of student identity exploration through Virtual City Planning integration. The presentation will also provide insight into future project ideas involving learning analytics; that is the foundation for a self-organizing learning environment for identity exploration and change.

Bio: Dr. Aroutis Foster is the current recipient of an NSF CAREER award, the Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Graduate Studies and Associate Professor of Learning Technologies in the School of Education (SoE). He is also a courtesy Associate Professor of Digital Media in the Antoinette Westphal College of Media, Arts, and Design (COMAD), a current Lenfest Faculty Fellow in digital cultural heritage, and a former Provost Fellow in the Office of Research at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. He leads the Games and Learning in Interactive Digital Environments (GLIDE) Lab in the SoE at Drexel University. Dr. Foster’s research program covers several strands including technology design, technology integration, and identity-based motivation to facilitate future-selves exploration and pathways for learners. His research seeks to advance a challenge in education of designing technological environments with theories and methodological models to facilitate students’ identity exploration related to preparation for futures that require agentic exploration and self-transformation.