This Research Practice Partnership explores computer science education as it intersects with disability and the arts. Working with embodied technologies and constructivist pedagogy, we strive to build rich, inclusive computational learning experiences for all students.

Who is involved? 

The partnership begins with Arizona State University (ASU) and Neurodiverse Education Research Center (NERC) but extends beyond the university and public school setting to include parents, community members, and industry leaders. Below is a diagram of how our partnership functions.

What we are doing? ​

​​Our research consists of three parts:
  1. ​Co-designing curriculum - Experienced teachers of neurodiverse middle school students (what we call Teacher Fellows) will work alongside experts in computer science, media studies and the arts to design computer science-informed curriculum. Central to this work is the building, playing, and performing of wearable digital musical instruments.
  2. Piloting curriculum - Partner schools will work alongside Teacher Fellows and the ASU research team to implement and collect data on the co-designed curriculum.
  3. TEL Shows - Telematic Embodied Learning Shows serve as the capstone project of each semester. The Shows are performances, loosely defined, in which students and other participants perform their built instruments.

What we believe?

Neurodiversity is fundamental to inclusive education
​
Creative expression boosts social and emotional wellbeing

​Embodied movement is central to understanding

Affiliates

Sha Xin Wei | Principle Investigator | School of Arts Media and Engineering
Seth Thorn | Co-PI | School of Arts Media and Engineering
Mirka Koro | Co-PI | Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College
Margarita Pivovarova | Co-PI | Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College
Nicole Kazan | Project Coordinator | NERC
Kenneth Mims | PhD | NERC & Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College 
Garrett L Johnson | PhD | School of Arts Media and Engineering
Ananí M. Vasquez | PhD | Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College
Marina Basu | PhD | Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College
Tim Wells | Postdoctoral Researcher | Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College
Andrew Robinson | Research Specialist | Synthesis
This is a National Science Foundation funded project.