LXDT Inquiry Group

Amy C. Bradshaw

Professor and Coordinator of Learning Experience Design & Technology Program

Chair, Educational Psychology Department, University of Oklahoma

Website: https://unpack.us/amycbradshaw/

Email: bradshaw@ou.edu

My scholarly work centers equity and inclusion in the work of learning design and technology. In recent publications I have theorized about mainstream neglect in LDT/IDT of systemic injustice and have suggested approaches toward reconciling the primary aims of LDT with critical and human-centered practices and pedagogies, such as critical pedagogy. 

My work challenges LDT academics and professionals (including myself) to consider the ways our instructional designs and learning systems reinforce structures of inequity, injustice, and oppression, and calls on us to identify, resist, and disrupt these harmful tendencies, to transform the research, practice, and academic preparation for professional work in LDT. Although much of my work is situated in sites of higher education academic preparation for future jobs as learning designers (in business, education, government, and non-profit sectors), it also applies to K-12 education settings and sites of professional instructional design work.

Mohammad Shams Ud Duha

Assistant Professor of Learning Experience Design & Technology

Educational Psychology Department, University of Oklahoma

Website: www.shamsduha.com

Email: duha@ou.edu

Dr. Mohammad Shams Ud Duha is an Assistant Professor of Learning Experience Design and Technology in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Oklahoma. He earned his Ph.D. in Learning Design and Technology from Purdue University, where he was awarded the prestigious Andrews Fellowship and the Bilsland Dissertation Fellowship. His research interests include online learning environments, social media in education, open education, Universal Design for Learning, and microlearning. His work has been published in leading journals such as Online Learning, Distance Education, Journal of Computing in Higher Education, and TechTrends.

Dr. Duha has received multiple national and international recognitions as a recipient or co-recipient for his research, teaching, instructional design, and service. These include a Fulbright fellowship from the U.S. Department of State, the Earl F. Stohbehn Internship and Distance Education Best Practice Award from the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT), the Outstanding Research Paper Award and Best Paper Award from the American Educational Research Association (AERA), and the Excellence in Instructional Design Award from the University Professional & Continuing Education Association (UPCEA).

During his time at Purdue University, he served as an Instructional Designer for the Purdue Repository for Online Teaching and Learning (PoRTAL), the Online and Blended Teaching Hub, and the Paraimpact Project. He recently served as the President of the Graduate Student Assembly of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT), an international association of scholars and professionals in instructional technology.

Before joining the University of Oklahoma and Purdue University, Dr. Duha taught at several universities in Bangladesh, including Brac University. Additionally, he taught at Indiana University, Bloomington during the 2015-16 academic year as part of his Fulbright program. Dr. Duha is also a writer and chess enthusiast. He has authored three books and scripted nine plays and drama serials for Bangladeshi television. He has achieved an international rating in chess.

Amy L. Mueller

Assistant Professor of Learning Technologies

Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum Department, University of Oklahoma

Email: almueller@ou.edu

Amy Mueller is an assistant professor of learning technologies at the University of Oklahoma in the Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum Department. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on educational and instructional technologies to pre-service and practicing educators.

Prior to her arrival at the University of Oklahoma she taught 4K for Head Start and worked as a K-5 Technology Teacher at a dual language immersion program in a diverse, public, urban title-1 school. Her research interests include: culturally and linguistic responsive and sustaining education, Indigenous education, liberatory education, elementary education, games-based learning, maker education, STEM education, digital literacy, multiliteracies, design based research, and codesign & community action research.

In her limited free time, she likes to play video games with her kids.

Taoufik Amri

Graduate Assistant

2nd year student in Learning Experience Design and Technology Ph.D. program

Educational Psychology Department, University of Oklahoma

Website: www.taoufikamri.com

Email: tamri@ou.edu - contact@taoufikamri.com 

Taoufik Amri is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Learning Experience Design and Technology at the University of Oklahoma where he is also serving as a GA at the Graduate College. In May 2023, he completed fulfilling his duties as a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant- teaching Arabic language and culture at Jarvis Christian University, TX, USA. He has been a high school English teacher since 2016. He received his master’s degree in Green Cultural Studies (Environmental Studies) in 2020 from the University of Mohammed I in Oujda, Morocco. In 2014, he graduated from the same university with a degree in English Studies. In his previous role as a Language and Culture Facilitator for the United States Peace Corps, he taught Arabic and Moroccan Culture to adult Americans. In addition to his work for the U.S Peace Corps, he worked for the American Language Center in Oujda, Morocco; he conducted English classes for speakers of other languages and he also served as an Arabic and culture curriculum designer and developer. 

Mahbub Amin

Ph.D. Student & Graduate Research Assistant in Learning Experience Design & Technology

Educational Psychology Department, University of Oklahoma

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahbub-amin-55b045130/ 

Website: https://mahbubamin.com/ 

Email: mahbubamin64@ou.edu

Mahbub Amin is a Ph.D. student in Learning Experience Design and Technology at the University of Oklahoma, where his work sits at the intersection of instructional design, learning sciences, and critical pedagogy. He holds two master’s degrees in TESOL from Michigan State University and in Applied Linguistics and English Language Teaching from Jahangirnagar University. Drawing on five years of professional experience as an instructional designer, Mahbub investigates how human-centered innovation, AI-mediated learning, and equitable design principles can strengthen learner and teacher autonomy. His research explores how educational technologies, particularly generative AI, can support reflective, empowering, and culturally responsive learning environments. His broader scholarly interests include critical digital pedagogy, learner/teacher agency, ethical AI integration, and design approaches that center marginalized learners. Mahbub’s current projects examine AI-supported speaking practice, LXDT program design, AI literacy workshop and the role of critical consciousness in shaping inclusive learning experiences.

Kokab Khalilipaji

Graduate Research Assistant

2nd year Ph.D. student in Learning Experience Design & Technology 

Educational Psychology Department, University of Oklahoma

Email: Kokab.Khalilipaji-1@ou.edu , Kokab.Khalili1987@gmail.com 

Kokab Khalilipaji is a doctoral student of Learning Sciences in the department of Educational Psychology. She has majored in English Literature, B.A. degree, and Educational Psychology, master’s degree. She has been a counselor and teacher for more than eight years, working on learning problems and combining psychological theories and teaching methods to have better learners.

Matthew McDonald

M.Ed. in Learning Design & Technology

Educational Psychology Department, University of Oklahoma

(Soon to be back for Ph.D.)

Email: mcdo4079@ou.edu 

Matt has been engaged in instructional and curriculum design for eight years. After earning a bachelor’s in Psychology at OU, he got his start in education subtitling videos for the College of Professional and Continuing Studies, from there he has worked his way up to an Instructional Designer specializing in online instructional design and educational technology. His research interests revolve around making fully accessible online learning for all, that leverages emerging technology in ethically and pedagogically sound ways.

Rebecca Popielski

Ph.D. Candidate in Learning Sciences

Educational Psychology Department, University of Oklahoma

Email: rapopielski@gmail.com

Rebecca received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History and a Master of Arts degree in International Relations and Conflict Mitigation.  She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Learning Sciences at the University of Oklahoma.  Rebecca is a military retiree with 23 years in the United States Marine Corps where she also has over ten years of experience in military training and education and curriculum design.

Rebecca is a Program Manager and Instructional Designer at Oracle with a specific focus in digital transformation and workplace learning. 

Rebecca’s current research is in workplace learning and humanistic approaches to the design and delivery of workplace learning and organizational analysis including structure, culture, and strategy/planning.

Caitlin Porterfield

Ph.D. Candidate in Learning Sciences

Educational Psychology Department, University of Oklahoma

UCO Profile: https://www3.uco.edu/centraldirectory/profiles/814457

Email: cporterfield@uco.edu

Cait Porterfield received a Bachelor of Science degree with Honors in Biochemistry from the University of Oklahoma (OU) and a Master of Science degree in Forensic Science with an emphasis in forensic molecular biology from the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO). Her thesis research focused on the genetic, microscopic, and chemical evaluation of processed human hair extensions for their probative value in forensic casework. Cait is currently a doctoral candidate in the Learning Sciences department at the University of Oklahoma with research focused on issues confronting women in STEM.

Cait is also a faculty member and the Director of Undergraduate Studies at the Forensic Science Institute at the University of Central Oklahoma.  Her courses focus on the forensic analysis of fingerprints and the identification of biological samples through serological techniques.  Cait also teaches an Innocence Project Course in conjunction with the OCU School of Law where she works with forensic science graduate students and law students on cases of wrongful conviction. Cait recently received the Neely Excellence in Teaching Award at UCO, the Excellence in Teaching award from the national Council of Forensic Science Educators, and the Vanderbilt Community Engagement Award.

Cait’s current research interests include biometric measures in forensic science, conceptual change in science, and the woman-scientist identity interference. She serves as the Student Academy of Forensic Sciences Faculty Advisor, serves on the forensic science curriculum council and planning and evaluation committee, and is also on the executive board for the national Council of Forensic Science Educators.

Farzaneh Rasouli

PhD Student & Graduate Research/ Teaching Assistant

Learning Experience Design & Technology, 1st Year (2025)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farzane-rasouli/

Website:https://sites.google.com/view/farzanehrasouli/home

Email: farzaneh.rasouli-1@ou.edu

Farzaneh Rasouli is a Ph.D. student in the Learning Experience Design and Technology program at the University of Oklahoma, where her work bridges Instructional Design, Learning Sciences, and Learner-Centered Education. She holds a B.A. in English Literature, an M.A. in TESOL, and an M.A. in Education and Innovation. With twenty years of international teaching experience in K–12 and higher education, Farzaneh brings a global, human-centered perspective to designing meaningful and equitable learning environments. She currently teaches Learning with Educational Technology to undergraduate students in the College of Education at the University of Oklahoma.

Her earlier research examined the effects of corrective feedback on writing proficiency among high- and low-anxiety EFL learners. This foundation has shaped her interests in learner emotions, academic confidence, and the psychological dimensions of learning.  

Farzaneh’s current projects explore how trauma-informed strategies, reflective practice, and emerging technologies can support inclusive instructional design, enhance learner agency, and strengthen teacher–student interaction across diverse educational contexts.

Missy Smith

Ph.D. Student in Learning Sciences Program

Educational Psychology Department, University of Oklahoma

Email: mrsmissysmith@gmail.com

Missy Smith, MS, LPC, NCC, earned both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Northeastern State University, majoring in Psychology and Counseling Psychology respectively. As a licensed professional counselor, her work was mostly with adults experiencing severe mental illness and women with co-occurring disorders  in a female diversion program. Currently serving as an elementary school counselor at Lincoln Elementary in Norman, Oklahoma, Missy is dedicated to fostering a supportive and enriching environment for her students.

In addition to her counseling role, Missy is an Adjunct Professor at Southeastern Oklahoma State University and a second-year doctoral student in the Learning Sciences program, focusing her research on student motivation, trauma-informed learning practices, and social-emotional learning. She was recognized as the 2021 Oklahoma School Counselor of the Year and the 2017 Oklahoma School Counselor Association’s Emerging Leader. She serves as a Lead RAMP Reviewer for the American School Counselor Association and her school counseling program at Lincoln Elementary holds ASCA's RAMP designation. 

Grayson Wise

Graduate Assistant

2nd year Ph.D. student in Learning Experience Design & Technology (LXDT)

Educational Psychology Department, University of Oklahoma

Email: graysonwise@ou.edu  

Website: http://yourgirlgray.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grayewise/

Grayson Wise is a second-year doctoral student in the LXDT program and serves as a Graduate Assistant in the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences. She has Bachelor’s degrees in Art History and French from OU in 2022. Grayson earned Master’s in Italian Renaissance Art History from the Courtauld Institute of Art in London, UK. She has a deep passion for art and art history and is an award-winning artist with work in the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art as well as private collections. Her research interests include creating more equitable and accessible art learning experiences for both academic and informal settings. Additionally, with her previous work in education abroad in Italy and her upcoming program coordination in France, Grayson is also interested in study abroad frameworks, coursework design, and increasing authentic interdisciplinarity in study abroad experiences. 

Yue Zheng

ABD in Educational Studies Ph.D. Program

Educational Leadership &  Policy Studies Department, University of Oklahoma

Email: yuezheng@ou.edu 

My research centers in the philosophy of language education, more specifically, how language and cultural identities interact with social, historical, and cultural context, and their impact on individuals’ lived experience.