SIDLIT 2026

This workshop provides an overview of Extended Reality (XR) and teaches the audience how to create a VR learning environment for educational purposes. The presentation includes two parts: 


Part 1: The Concept of XR (10 mins)
Dr. He will clarify the technical distinctions between XR, Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR), and these modalities' relationship to the physical world and the typical scenarios to apply these different "R"s. 


Part 2: The Skills of Creating VR (80 mins)
Dr. He will demonstrate and guide the audience through a hands-on process to learn how to create a VR learning environment using a free, web-based platform called FrameVR. A laptop is required for this workshop. The audience will learn how to register a FrameVR account, how to customize their avatars, how to navigate FrameVR, how to create and edit objects, and how to make the objects interactive. The audience will create a VR learning environment during the remaining time. 

Each of us has perhaps thousands of images in our cell phones, but what are we doing with them once they have been taken?  Do they just remain dormant in our cloud platforms? Let's use those intriguing images to be the driving force to create a very short story of six words or less.


A legendary tale has it that famed 20th century author, Ernest Hemingway (1970), is credited with creating this story writing technique. Yet, this poster presentation will elevate this writing technique by adding impactful images to each short story.


This workshop will have participants use their critical thinking skills to choose an image and craft six words or less to tell a complete story.


Be inspired to use this story writing technique as a team building activity for your next upcoming team project!


Last, preview a vetted set of images and very short stories from Emporia State University students, faculty, homeschool students, the Midwest, and other regions. Ultimately, these images and very short stories that were showcased at the Emporia Art Center this past April and May.
 
Participants will be charged with the following tasks:
--Be concise; remember you have up to six words maximum.
--Only select words that are meaningful; critical thinking skills are required.  ;-)
--You must share a complete story.
--Consider adding conflict, action, or a resolution.
--Again, carefully, choose your words.
--Evoke an emotion, surprise, smile, curiosity, or challenge the reader’s imagination to fill in the gaps of a larger narrative not told, but implied.
--Let the readers create a bigger ending in their minds.  There is power in what is NOT being said.

Dr. Albrecht teaches in an online accelerated program (AOP) with an average of 85 students per class. In collaboration with Jiayi Wang, Learning Designer in Learning Technologies at Emporia State University, Dr. Albrecht has introduced innovative pedagogy for optimal student learning. Come and learn how she engages students for a face-to-face learning experience in an online course! Here is what students say about their learning experiences in these classes:

• "I really enjoyed your video lectures and the way you connected the learning content to real-life situations. I especially appreciated the examples you shared from your own experiences, as they made the concepts more meaningful and relatable. Another aspect I truly appreciated in your course was the thoughtful feedback on my assignments. Your comments were always encouraging and reflective, and they were written in a way that helped me grow as future leader while also building my confidence. Thank you."
• "This course was truly eye-opening. Completing the field experiences and intentionally reflecting on each one was extremely beneficial to my growth as a future school leader. The opportunity to shadow administrators at multiple levels allowed me to see firsthand the complexity of the principalship and the balance between instructional leadership and building management. These experiences helped me connect the coursework to real-world practice, especially in areas such as communication, decision-making, and supporting staff. Observing different leadership styles also helped me reflect on the type of leader I aspire to be and the importance of building trust and strong systems within a school. I also appreciated that the grading feedback was consistently positive, specific, and encouraging. Your feedback affirmed my thinking while also helping me deepen my reflection and consider additional leadership perspectives. Overall, this course has been one of the most valuable experiences in my program because it allowed me to learn directly from practicing administrators while reflecting on my own leadership development."
• "Dr. Albrecht is a great professor. She connects course content to real-life situations, allowing students to directly apply concepts that are taught. Dr. Albrecht provides thorough, meaningful feedback that allows students to think about what comes next, following each course assignment. Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Dr. Albrecht and taking this course."
• "Dr. Albrecht is a professor who clearly wants to help students. She is genuinely invested in their success and works hard to support them in achieving their goals. Thanks for a great course."
• "I appreciate your clear communication and quick turnaround time getting assignments graded. Thank you!"

 
Learn how to increase connectivity among and between students and instructor for more engaged online learning in Accelerated Online Educational Administration graduate courses.  For example, peek in on how weekly Zoom meetings are organized and used to conduct collaborative team decision-making as students work together live to solve problems building principals encounter through case scenarios. Rubric design and how to grade assignments using this innovative instruction and much more will be shared.  You do not want to miss out on how to organize and grade this advanced pedagogy.  Come learn how successful this strategy is in meeting learning outcomes for students.