Xigui Yang​

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Introduction

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My interest in Learning, Design, and Technology grows from my working experience as a foreign language teacher, where I observed how much impact instructional technology can have on learning and teaching. With this teaching experience, I applied for the Research Master’s Program to deepen my understanding of learning theories and learn about the most cutting-edge educational technologies and strategies, with an ultimate goal to pursue a PhD and develop my own research in LDT. My initial idea about my research in LDT was specifically aimed at improving foreign language teaching and learning with technology integration at the beginning. However, as I explore more via seminars, readings, projects, and AECT conference, my horizon has been expanded and I have seen different potential directions for my future research.

 

The research master’s program has been very informative and transformative. It has provided me with the best opportunity to learn about the field of LDT, current research, and the PhD program, not to mention all the remarkable faculty members and supportive cohorts. It is also the discovery journey that I needed to get to know myself and my direction in the academic world. I have been luckily accepted by the PhD program to continue my study and research here starting in Fall 2018. Looking into the future, I would like to seek opportunities to be a professor to continue rigorous research, thus to advance understanding of learning processes and the design of innovative learning environments, to contribute to the knowledge base of LDT, and to make an impact on education and the society.

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Course Work

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• EDIT 6190 Design Studio (Dr. Rieber)

The Design Studio class was a good opportunity to learn how to use some useful digital tools like Photoshop, Qualtrics, Articulate Storyline, Livecode, Wix, screencast tools, etc. We were also required to design a prototype of innovative artifact with some support of theories. I created an online community (a forum) for English teachers in China to share the ideas and resources about Project-Based Learning.

 

• EDIT 8990 Doctoral Seminar (Dr. Choi & Dr. Hill)

The Doctoral Seminar familiarized me with the syllabus of the PhD program, the important milestones in the life of a PhD students, and the expectations on us in the long run as a scholar and researcher as well. We also had the honor to learn about what other faculty members were doing for their research and what other PhD students’ experience was like.

 

• EDIT 9990 Foundations of LDT (Dr. Hill)

The Foundations course gave me a bird view of all learning theories and other knowledge base of LDT. I read many research articles and books about constructivism and cognitive load theory for EDIT9990 Foundations class. Though both theories have important influences on education, they seem to be conflicting theories. In my opinion, however, they might be compatible with each other under certain circumstances. And I’m trying to explore more about these possibilities.

 

• EDIT 6400E Emerging Technologies of Teaching and Learning (Dr. Knapp)

I took this course together with the first year IDD students, and there was a more diverse demographics. It was my first online course but the experience was very good. I learned about learning theories from a different perspective from the Foundations class, the two of which were quite complementary to each other for me. My most important experience was creating an authentic learning experience project with three other teammates for training audiobook volunteers. And we got good news about the results of implementation recently.

 

• EDIT 9160 Conceptual Framework (Dr. Hill)

The conceptual Framework focuses more on development of research topic and academic writing. I am trying to combine what I read about Cognitive Load Theory and Constructivism with my current assistantship work for the Global IDD project. My proposed topic is “managing cognitive load in the hybrid learning environment of face-to-face, synchronous online and asynchronous one line students”.

 

• EDIT 8990 Doctoral Seminar (Dr. Choi & Dr. Hill)

This course offers us more opportunities to learn about senior doctoral student’s research and learning experience. Meanwhile, incubation session is really meaningful for us to articulate our initiative thoughts about our research plan and discuss it with the cohort to help us have a better understanding of our research design.

 

• EDIT 6170 Instructional Design (Dr. Branch)

This course provides a step-by-step guidance of the ADDIE approach. It is more focused on the industry world not the usual educational settings that I am familiar with. This course is also part of our Global IDD project design. So I have dual roles—as a student and as a TA designer. It is a wonderful opportunity to put what I learn about ADDIE into practice immediately right in the same course.

 

• EDIT 6210 Learning Environment Design II (Dr. Choi)

This course is also part of the Global IDD project, and it can be a great example of what we are trying to promote—flattening hierarchy, negotiated learning environment, shared space, same experience, etc. I have been working as a project manager for this project in this class, cooperating with 4 other team members. Apart from that, there are also 3 other remarkable projects going on in other teams. We all, as a community, help each other to design the best product. Plus, it was very cool to see how the VR technology applied in k-12 schools.

 

• ERSH 6300 Applied Statistics (Dr. Kim)

In this course, I am picking up some fundamental statistics concepts, and how to do quantitative research using the knowledge of statistics, for example, how to select subjects scientifically, how to collect data, how to analyze data, and how to read, describe and interpret data.

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Professional Development Activities​

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• IDD@UGA Conference

This conference introduced me to instructional design in the industrial world beyond the school settings that I have been accustomed to. The demonstration of VR and AR technology made a deep impression on me. Moreover, I had the privilege to meet some IDD students in person. Some of them turned out to be taking the same online course as I did. I also met Dr. Knapp, the instructor of that online course. This experience made me feel closer to Dr. Knapp and the classmates. 

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• AECT 2017 Conference

The AECT annual conference held in Jacksonville was an amazing opportunity to observe the treading directions for research and practice in LDT. I felt very proud of UGA because of the high quality of presentations offered by our professors and colleagues. I enjoyed the presidential sessions most. I attended three workshops, case-based e-learning, online laboratory, and coding for k-12 teachers. 

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• IRIS 2018 Conference

The Innovative Research & Ideas Symposium (IRIS) was organized by Graduate-Professional Student Association. It offered me a great opportunity to see how graduate students in other departments across the campus do their research. I met the Child Traffic Safety team at the symposium. I hope I can put up my own research poster there next year.

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  Research Project

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• Global IDD: Flexibly Accessible Learning

Global IDD is an innovative implementation and research project initiated by Dr. Hill and Dr. Choi. It aims at creating a flexibly accessible learning environment where students are free to choose any of the three modes of learning: face-to-face onsite, synchronous online and asynchronous online. In this project, I play a major part in literature review, evaluation, data analysis. Examples of the research work can be found in "Samples of Work". 

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Services

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• Volunteer for AECT 2017 Conference

I was a half-time volunteer for the AECT conference, setting up equipment in the morning before the conference began, returning the equipment at the end of the day, and offering just-in-time assistant to presenters and participants during the round-table sessions. Although it was not a difficult job to do, I think the organization and coordination still have room to improve. 

 

• Project manager for Global IDD Project

The role of project manager naturally makes me take more responsibilities rather than just follow directions, contribute ideas and offering help. I would think ahead, do more research and reading, and communicate more with Dr. Hill and Dr. Choi, in order to have a better understanding of the project and make sure the project is moving forward smoothly. Fortunately, Dr. Hill and Dr. Choi are the best clients we could have and Elliot is always there to help, not to mention other talented team members. 

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