[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ custom_margin=”96px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”63px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”43px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”30px|0px|30px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”30px|0px|30px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”30px|0px|30px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”27px|0px||0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ header_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” header_text_color=”#2C3D66″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” custom_margin=”10px||10px||true” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”contain” background_position=”top_center” custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/eltl\/files\/2022\/04\/Nigel-Newbutt.png” alt=”Nigel Newbutt” title_text=”Nigel” url=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/faculty\/newbutt-nigel\/” url_new_window=”on” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”28px|28px|28px|28px|true|true” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(153,153,153,0.3)” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Roboto||||||||” header_3_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_font_size=”16px” header_4_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” header_4_font_size=”16px” custom_padding_tablet=”|20px||20px||true” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”21px” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Originally from the U.K. I am now a EduGator and Assistant Professor in the College of Education<\/span>. I bring with me many years\u2019 experience of developing technologies with autistic, and underserved groups, which started in my undergraduate work exploring multimedia programs for a deaf community in the U.K. <\/span>I am currently interested in examining and developing the role that VR HMDs can play in supporting young people with autism in their daily lives; informed through their input.\u00a0 The aim of this work is to co-design the future of this field (VR and autism) with autistic communities and other important stakeholders.\u00a0 More than this, I am also interested in developing a range of innovative technologies that can help to enable people with neurodiversity.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ custom_margin=”34px||34px||true|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”contain” background_position=”top_center” custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/eltl\/files\/2024\/10\/Justin.png” alt=”Justin Bourne” title_text=”Justin” url=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/faculty\/newbutt-nigel\/” url_new_window=”on” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”28px|28px|28px|28px|true|true” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(153,153,153,0.3)” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Roboto||||||||” header_3_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_font_size=”16px” header_4_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” header_4_font_size=”16px” custom_padding_tablet=”|20px||20px||true” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”21px” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n I am originally from New York State and currently a first-year PhD student and teaching assistant in the College of Education at the University of Florida. With a background in educational technology, childhood education, and special education, I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Educational Technologies and a Master\u2019s in Curriculum Development and Instructional Technologies. I have five years of experience teaching 4th and 5th grade special education, where I developed a passion for supporting diverse learners. My research interests focus on emerging learning technologies and strengthening family-school partnerships to enhance educational outcomes. I am particularly interested in how technology can be leveraged to bridge gaps in access and create more inclusive learning environments. As I continue my studies, I aim to explore innovative approaches to integrating technology into curriculum design and family engagement strategies.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ custom_margin=”30px||10px||false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px|||” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”contain” background_position=”top_center” custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/eltl\/files\/2025\/08\/Hannah-Collins-Headshot-2025.jpg” alt=”Hannah Collins ” title_text=”Hannah Collins Headshot 2025″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”28px|28px|28px|28px|true|true” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(153,153,153,0.3)” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Roboto||||||||” header_3_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_font_size=”16px” header_4_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” header_4_font_size=”16px” custom_padding_tablet=”|20px||20px||true” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”21px” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Hannah is a fourth-year student at the University of Florida, pursuing a major in Psychology with an emphasis on Behavior Analysis and minoring in Disabilities in Society and Deaf and Hearing Sciences. She is passionate about education, advocacy, and expanding her knowledge of diverse perspectives. She is interested in using her background in psychology to help make education more inclusive.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ custom_margin=”30px||10px||false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px|||” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”contain” background_position=”top_center” custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/eltl\/files\/2025\/08\/Frame-46.jpg” alt=”Joy Fan” title_text=”Frame 46″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”28px|28px|28px|28px|true|true” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(153,153,153,0.3)” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Roboto||||||||” header_3_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_font_size=”16px” header_4_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” header_4_font_size=”16px” custom_padding_tablet=”|20px||20px||true” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”21px” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Joy (Yujiao) Fan is a PhD student in Educational Technology at the University of Florida. She holds a master\u2019s degree in Museums and Galleries in Education from University College London and a bachelor\u2019s degree in Media and Communications Studies from the University of Nottingham. With five years of experience as a teacher and learning designer in schools and museums across China and the UK, she is passionate about creating inclusive and engaging learning resources that offer equitable and meaningful opportunities for underserved communities. Her research explores user-centered VR\/AR\/XR learning experiences for neurodiverse learners and the integration of generative AI in education. She is especially interested in how immersive, real-time, and personalized interactions can scaffold learning and support creativity, skill development, and emotional well-being for learners with special needs.<\/span>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ custom_margin=”30px||10px||false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”contain” background_position=”top_center” custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/eltl\/files\/2022\/03\/Mark_Francois.png” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”28px|28px|28px|28px|true|true” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(153,153,153,0.3)” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Roboto||||||||” header_3_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_font_size=”16px” header_4_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” header_4_font_size=”16px” custom_padding_tablet=”|20px||20px||true” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”21px” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n In the School of Teaching and Learning (STL) at University of Florida, Marc’s research interests include technology integration in K-12 and higher education, immersive learning, and inclusive design of e-learning. Specifically, he is interested in how emerging learning technologies, such as virtual reality can be used to promote inclusive practices for children and young people of diverse identities and cultural backgrounds. Before joining STL, Marc earned his bachelor\u2019s degree in school administration from Universit\u00e9 Quisqueya and his M.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from University of South Carolina.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ custom_margin=”30px||10px||false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px|||” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”contain” background_position=”top_center” custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/eltl\/files\/2022\/04\/Rebekah_Johnson.jpeg” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”28px|28px|28px|28px|true|true” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(153,153,153,0.3)” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Roboto||||||||” header_3_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_font_size=”16px” header_4_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” header_4_font_size=”16px” custom_padding_tablet=”|20px||20px||true” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”21px” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n As a current student pursuing her master\u2019s in Educational Technology, and having previously completed her undergraduate degree in Educational Sciences specializing in Disabilities in Society at the University of Florida, Rebekah is very passionate about creating equitable education opportunities for people with disabilities. Rebekah is interested in researching how new technologies can create an inclusive culture in education and remove barriers for people with varied abilities. Specifically, she would like to explore practical solutions to reduce exclusion. Her experience includes over two decades volunteering as a mentor for children, adults, and families affected by a burn injury, helping them navigate their way through recovery and speaking as an advocate for the burn community in various cities in the U.S.<\/p>\n <\/span>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ module_id=”irene” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ custom_margin=”30px||10px||false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px|||” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”contain” background_position=”top_center” custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/eltl\/files\/2022\/08\/Kao_cropped.png” title_text=”Kao_cropped” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”28px|28px|28px|28px|true|true” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(153,153,153,0.3)” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Roboto||||||||” header_3_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_font_size=”16px” header_4_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” header_4_font_size=”16px” custom_padding_tablet=”|20px||20px||true” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”21px” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Irene (Yu-Chia) Kao was a K-12 English teacher in Taiwan. She completed her master\u2019s degree in educational technology at UF and is currently pursuing her doctoral studies in the same field while serving as a research assistant at the Emerging Technologies Research Lab (ETRL)<\/span> at the College of Education, University of Florida. Irene is an educational researcher dedicated to supporting underserved populations, with a particular focus on the autistic community. Her research centers on promoting informal STEM education and developing extended reality (XR) content to create pre-visit tools, enhance social skills, and boost reading engagement for autistic individuals and students with special needs. Her work aims to improve educational experiences and create equitable learning environments in both schools and communities for students with special needs.<\/p>\n <\/span>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ custom_margin=”30px||10px||false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px|||” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”contain” background_position=”top_center” custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/eltl\/files\/2023\/05\/AK-1.png” title_text=”AK (1)” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”28px|28px|28px|28px|true|true” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(153,153,153,0.3)” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Roboto||||||||” header_3_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_font_size=”16px” header_4_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” header_4_font_size=”16px” custom_padding_tablet=”|20px||20px||true” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”21px” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Ashley is a 3rd year communication sciences and disorders major, with a minor in education studies at the University of Florida. Her research interests include extending technology-based education materials to diverse populations that could benefit from their use. She has an interest in using these technologies to teach an array of subject areas and making them more mainstream to benefit a wider range of learners and students.<\/p>\n <\/span>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ custom_margin=”30px||10px||false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px|||” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”contain” background_position=”top_center” custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/eltl\/files\/2023\/05\/Zach.jpg” title_text=”Zach” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”28px|28px|28px|28px|true|true” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(153,153,153,0.3)” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Roboto||||||||” header_3_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_font_size=”16px” header_4_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” header_4_font_size=”16px” custom_padding_tablet=”|20px||20px||true” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”21px” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n As a Computer Engineering student at the University of Central Florida, Zachary Larson has always had a passion for STEM topics and for helping those with Autism. For years, he has volunteered with Amazing Child, Inc., an organization dedicated to helping children with Autism learn social skills. Zachary\u2019s experience as an individual with autism, as well as his extensive knowledge of computer engineering, provide him profound insight into the nuances of technology and its relationship with disabilities.\u00a0 He plays a central role with the ETRL advising and supporting our STEM outreach activities.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ custom_margin=”30px||10px||false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px|||” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”contain” background_position=”top_center” custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/eltl\/files\/2024\/10\/Congzhi-1.png” alt=”Congzhi ” title_text=”Congzhi” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”28px|28px|28px|28px|true|true” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(153,153,153,0.3)” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Roboto||||||||” header_3_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_font_size=”16px” header_4_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” header_4_font_size=”16px” custom_padding_tablet=”|20px||20px||true” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”21px” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Congzhi was born in Tianjin, China and earned his bachelor\u2019s degree in English Translation and Interpretation from Binhai School of Foreign Affairs of Tianjin Foreign Studies University. He earned his M.A.E in ESOL\/Bilingual Education from the University of Florida. Congzhi has two years of teaching experience of English in China and United States. He is a doctoral student in the School of Teaching and Learning at College of Education where he will focus on Educational Technology in applied contexts. His research interests lie in integrating emerging technologies such as virtual reality with language learning in higher education context, especially spoken languages and communication skills.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ custom_margin=”30px||10px||false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px|||” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”contain” background_position=”top_center” custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/eltl\/files\/2022\/11\/Dimitra-Magkafa_03.jpg” title_text=”Dimitra Magkafa_03″ force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”28px|28px|28px|28px|true|true” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(153,153,153,0.3)” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Roboto||||||||” header_3_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_font_size=”16px” header_4_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” header_4_font_size=”16px” custom_padding_tablet=”|20px||20px||true” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”21px” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n I am an external collaborator at the Emerging Technologies Research Lab (ETRL), and past member (studying with Dr Newbutt in the UK) and bring with me an interdisciplinary background and interests in the areas of education and Human- Computer Interaction (HCI): education technologies, designing and evaluating interactive technologies for learning, inclusive design, and participatory research methods (for children in school settings). I hold a PhD in Education and Childhood from the University of the West of England, Bristol. My doctoral thesis focused on co-designing and evaluating a technology-based program, aimed at supporting children with autism in a museum setting. I am currently a Research Associate at the University of Sheffield, UK and I am working on a project that seeks to improve the legal capability of children, aged 15 years and under, drawing on game-based learning theories and adopting a participatory-based approach to develop game-based interventions<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ custom_margin=”30px||10px||false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px|||” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”contain” background_position=”top_center” custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/eltl\/files\/2025\/08\/HeadshotAug2025Casual-scaled.jpg” alt=”Roderick Tatom” title_text=”Roderick Tatom” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”28px|28px|28px|28px|true|true” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(153,153,153,0.3)” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Roboto||||||||” header_3_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_font_size=”16px” header_4_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” header_4_font_size=”16px” custom_padding_tablet=”|20px||20px||true” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”21px” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Roderick Tatom is a Ph.D. student in the College of Education at the University of Florida. He brings over 12 years of professional experience working in technology across academic environments, including roles as an IT professional in K-12, a public-school teacher, and a technology specialist in higher education. With a background in vocational education and business, he also holds an MBA from the Warrington College of Business and several IT certifications.<\/p>\n Roderick’s research focuses on the practical applications of artificial intelligence in higher education. Drawing on his MBA, he explores how AI can enhance both student learning and academic administration. His research investigates the use of AI to improve institutional effectiveness and streamline business processes within universities. He is also focused on developing pedagogical frameworks that empower students to use AI as a powerful learning tool while upholding academic integrity.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ custom_margin=”30px||10px||false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px|||” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”contain” background_position=”top_center” custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/eltl\/files\/2024\/10\/Talar.png” alt=”Talar Terzian” title_text=”Talar” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”28px|28px|28px|28px|true|true” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(153,153,153,0.3)” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Roboto||||||||” header_3_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_font_size=”16px” header_4_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” header_4_font_size=”16px” custom_padding_tablet=”|20px||20px||true” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”21px” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Talar graduated with degrees Physics and Math from Davidson College in May ’24, and is now a graduate student at the University of Florida studying Educational Technology.\u00a0 She has a strong passion for advocacy, especially in educational spaces.\u00a0 Talar’s experiences with research in Physics, STEM Education, and neurodiversity (as well as her life experiences as an autistic individual) have provided her with a vast, diverse knowledge of the educational sphere and the ways in which it is in need of improvement, particularly in the encouragement and inclusion of marginalized groups to participate and engage in STEM subjects.<\/p>\n <\/span>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”50px|0px|54px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ header_font=”Roboto|700||on|||||” header_text_color=”#2C3D66″ header_2_font=”Roboto|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#2C6846″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”Undergraduate Students” open_toggle_text_color=”#2C3D66″ open_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_text_color=”#2C3D66″ closed_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” icon_color=”#7C2D2D” open_icon_color=”#7C2D2D” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ title_font=”Roboto|700|||||||” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#000000″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_margin=”||10px” custom_padding=”||” border_radii=”on|15px|15px|15px|15px” border_width_all=”0px” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(163,163,163,0.3)” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n If you are interested in joining the lab as a research assistant, collaborator, or proposing ideas for projects (undergraduate projects, etc\u2026) please email <\/a><\/span>Dr Newbutt<\/span><\/a> to say \u201cHI\u201d and include an overview of your ideas and ways you\u2019d like to become involved.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Prospective Graduate Students” open_toggle_text_color=”#2C3D66″ open_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_text_color=”#2C3D66″ closed_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” icon_color=”#7C2D2D” open_icon_color=”#7C2D2D” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ title_font=”Roboto|700|||||||” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#000000″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_margin=”||10px” custom_padding=”||” border_radii=”on|15px|15px|15px|15px” border_width_all=”0px” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(163,163,163,0.3)” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n If you are interested in joining the lab as a graduate student, please email <\/a><\/span>Dr Newbutt<\/span><\/a> with your CV and description about your research interests. Additional information including application instructions is available here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Doctoral Students” open_toggle_text_color=”#2C3D66″ open_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_text_color=”#2C3D66″ closed_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” icon_color=”#7C2D2D” open_icon_color=”#7C2D2D” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ title_font=”Roboto|700|||||||” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#000000″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_margin=”||10px” custom_padding=”||” border_radii=”on|15px|15px|15px|15px” border_width_all=”0px” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(163,163,163,0.3)” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nNigel Newbutt<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Director<\/span><\/h3>\n
Justin Bourne<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Doctoral Student<\/span><\/h3>\n
Hanna Collins<\/strong>
\n<\/span><\/h2>\nPsychology (Behavior Analysis)
\n<\/span><\/h3>\nJoy Fan<\/strong>
\n<\/span><\/h2>\nDoctoral Student<\/span><\/h3>\n
Dr <\/span>Marc Francois<\/span><\/h2>\n
Graduated Doctoral Student<\/span><\/h3>\n
Rebekah Johnson<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Advisor to ETRL<\/span><\/h3>\n
Irene Kao<\/strong>
\n<\/span><\/h2>\nDoctoral Student and Graduate Research Assistant
\n<\/span><\/h3>\nAshley Kelly<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Undergraduate member<\/span><\/h3>\n
Zachary Larson<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Member<\/span><\/h3>\n
Congzhi Ma<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Doctoral Student<\/span><\/h3>\n
Dr. Dimitra Magkafa<\/strong>
\n<\/span><\/h2>\nExternal Collaborator and Past Member<\/span><\/h3>\n
Roderick Tatom<\/strong>
\n<\/span><\/h2>\nDoctoral Student<\/span><\/h3>\n
Talar Terzian<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Master’s Student<\/span><\/h3>\n
Join the ELTL Hub<\/h2>\n