SUMMARY
I draw from the fields of information science, human-computer interaction, and user-centered design. Please see my Curriculum Vitae for my most current work.
I draw from the fields of user experience design, information science, and learning technologies. From this interdisciplinary standpoint, I take a social scientific approach that is typically qualitative and occurs in laboratory settings. My publications show my commitment to studying and creating engaging, usable virtual worlds. For example, I have investigated in-game virtual photography as a means for recording user experiences as well as the documentation of serious leisure pursuits an. I have also examined information-seeking behaviors and storytelling within commercial video games. I am also dedicated to designing immersive learning experiences. I have led examinations on player navigation within game-based learning environments and provided design principles for information literacy and history education games.
You may preview some examples of my work below.
Research Highlight: Mementos from Digital Worlds
Video game players, equipped with image capturing and rendering features, are taking photographs within digital worlds. This study examines video game photography as a documentary practice. By considering the experiences of a gamer-turned-photographer, this
study offers an initial synthesis of this new document phenomenon and provides considerations for categorizing such photos.
DOI: (In Press)
Research Highlight: Narrative Ephemera
Some virtual, immersive stories are filled with documents that users must locate and interact with to experience a narrative. Exploring a new area of inquiry in the information science field, this study focuses on individuals’ experiences with documents in a particular 3D storytelling world.
Research Highlight: Serious Games for Information Literacy
The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the literature on digital games designed or adapted for information literacy instruction, as well as practical design recommendations. While previous literature reviews provide summaries on information literacy digital games, this paper not only presents an up-to-date review but also provides step-by-step instructions and worked examples for aligning information literacy learning mechanics with game mechanics.
Research Highlight: Education through Navigation
Some popular 3D educational video games incorporate vast amounts of content with limited direct instruction. This exploratory study investigates player navigation to determine how wayfinding aids and level design impact interaction with embedded instructional content. To investigate player behavior, participants completed navigational tasks within a larger usability study of an environmental science video game, Mission HydroSci.
Research Highlight: Narrative Immersion for Information Literacy
Aspects of storytelling may be leveraged to foster greater motivation in student research projects. Recognizing this possibility, the following mixed-method pilot study explores the effects of reading creative nonfiction on student inquiry within an information literacy (IL) course to spark interest in their topic.
DOI: TBA