Hey everyone! Welcome back to a brand new season of HCI Insiders! This time we're thrilled to have Professor Marti Louw, a faculty member at the Human-Computer Interaction Institute at Carnegie Mellon University.

As a design-based researcher, Marti focuses on using design as a creative problem-solving method to collaboratively envision and create technology-enhanced learning environments that are socially co-constructed, personally relevant, and emancipatory.

Before diving into education technology and HCI, Marti was an educator and producer for museums, documentaries, and films. She studied Biology as an undergraduate and then pursued Interaction Design at CMU. In this episode, we'll explore her academic and career journey and get her insights on the future of EdTech.

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction to the podcast and guest, Professor Marty Loh.

02:44 Marty discusses her career transition from the television industry to interactive media and museums.

03:32 Marty reflects on the evolution of media and the web from broadcast to digital.

05:43 Transition into academia through an NSF grant, starting her academic career.

07:13 Fascination with finding the right tools and mediums for learning.

08:59 Approach to teaching students through real-world problems.

12:01 Opportunities for exploration and pure design.

13:38 Reflection on research methods like speed dating and service blueprint.

15:05 Marty’s fascination with science and nature and how it influenced her career decisions.

15:59 Collaboration with the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and the use of high-resolution zoomable imagery for public science engagement.

18:15 The Macro Invertebrate project and the use of high-resolution imagery to improve water quality assessment by everyday citizens.

19:50 Designing museum content for diverse target users, including K-12 kids and the general public.

21:05 Importance of layering information to engage different types of museum visitors.

24:03 Emphasis on authenticity and uniqueness in museum exhibits, and the influence of the City Museum of St. Louis.

25:35 Balancing safety and innovation in children's museums.

27:09 Using constraints as opportunities in exhibit design.

28:39 Thoughts on how AI will impact educational technology and learning environments.

33:48 Importance of understanding teaching and learning from a practical perspective.

34:28 Challenges in the Ed Tech market and the need for sustainable products.

37:20 Importance of process documentation and journaling for creative practice.

44:16 Importance of constructive feedback and growth-oriented conversations.

46:49 Introduction to the METALS program at CMU.

51:27 Final reflections and farewell.