Using Immersive Media to Identify and Aid Issues of Bias and Empathy That Affect Children's Literacy

• In Event: Designing for Equity With Technology and for Technology-Rich Environments

Abstract

This study describes two ongoing projects that use immersive technologies to develop empathy and reveal biases involving children who are developing their literacy skills. Adults who have high literacy often cannot relate to the experience of a struggling reader. Through narrative-based 360-video virtual reality experiences, we aim to build empathy in adults for children facing the challenges of early literacy. Also, using digital puppeteering via Mursion, we are studying whether our training can help teachers identify innate biases that skew their literacy instruction. We will present ongoing results, as well as lessons and heuristics for building simulated authentic situations using immersive media.

Authors

• Iulian Radu, Harvard University

• Christopher J. Dede, Harvard University