The Doctoral Program would like to congratulate doctoral student Fredrica Higgs on receiving the 2024 Zigli Research Award.
The Zigli Research Award is a $700 reward offered to one Graduate Student each Spring by the Cratis D. Williams School of Graduate Studies here at Appalachian State. Students who receive this award have demonstrated a strong ability to perform scholarly research in their field. The money from the award can be used to help fund further research and conference travel.
Fredrica’s proposed research project centers around Global Citizenship. An overview of her inquiry can be found below:
Global Citizenship: A Journey Through Immersive Education
In an era of increasing globalization, providing equitable access to international learning has become crucial for transforming scholars into global citizens. In the spirit of Aoun's "humanics" which calls for the integration of technical prowess with human capacities, this research explores how immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) can transcend geographical barriers. It investigates the potential of these innovative tools to open new frontiers, virtually transporting students across continents for rich cultural immersion - all from the comfort of their classrooms.
The study delves into a systematic analysis of recent scholarly works on leveraging technology for remote global education experiences. While traditional study abroad holds immense value, the findings reveal that carefully implemented VR and AR simulations can be powerful complementary tools, increasing accessibility for students facing financial constraints. Pioneering initiatives like 360 GLE's virtual study abroad with 360° video vistas and IMEX Lab's extensive VR/AR experience catalog offer a glimpse into this transformative world. By evaluating the effectiveness and key features propelling meaningful intercultural engagement, the research charts a path toward seamlessly integrating these technologies into universities' internationalization strategies. Synthesizing insights around pedagogy, cost-efficiency, inclusivity, and ethics, it provides a roadmap for the democratization of high-quality global learning.
Fredrica Higgs
Fredrica Higgs