'Lightning Talks' Features Interdepartmental Panel on Game-Based Approaches to Teaching and Research

Last week, the World Languages and Digital Humanities Studio hosted their semester kickoff event: "Lightning Talks: Game-Based Approaches to Teaching and Research."   

Seven speakers from across campus, including World Languages, Literatures & Cultures, Journalism, Communication, Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies, and Computer Science were on the panel. Each presenter gave a 5-minute talk on the ways in which they've incorporated a game-based approach to their respective research interests or teaching practices.  

The lineup included:  

• Joomi Lee, assistant professor of Mediated Communication, Department of Communication 

• Dave Fredrick, associate professor of Classical Studies, Game Design, Department of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures 

• Alejandro Martin Gomez, assistant professor of Engineering, I3R, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science 

• Jenna Allemand, teaching assistant of French, WLDH Studio researcher, Department of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures 

• Sam Campbell, teaching assistant of Rhetoric & Composition, Comparative Literatures & Cultural Studies Ph.D student 

• Curtis Maughan, teaching assistant professor of Digital Humanities, director of the WLDH Studio, Department of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures 

• Brandon Bouchillon, associate professor of Journalism, School of Journalism and Strategic Media 

Topics included using a simulation-style game with augmented reality to perform dental surgery (Martin Gomez), using the VR application NounTown to practice world language vocabulary and grammar (Allemand), and the development of a role-playing game to inspire empathy with immigrants to the US (Bouchillon). The series of talks was followed by a Q&A between attendees and panelists. 

The next WLDH Studio event, "The Innovative Pedagogy and Research Expo," will be held on Thursday, February 20, from 4-5 pm. The event will be held in the WLDH Studio, JBHT 207. The expo will feature a series of presenters stationed throughout the WLDH Studio, each of whom will share their innovative approaches to pedagogy and research. Visitors will move from station to station, learning about how they might incorporate the methods or technologies featured in each presentation. This event is open to the UARK community, including students, faculty and staff.