People

Dr. Jewoong Moon

Dr. Jewoong Moon is Assistant Professor of Instructional Technology at the Department of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Technology Studies. He earned his Ph.D. degree of Instructional Systems and Learning Technologies at Florida State University, where he was a member of the Cyberlearning Research Group at Florida State University. He is currently serving as affiliated faculty in university research institutes as Center for Innovative Research in Autism (CIRA) and Center for Youth Development and Intervention (CYDI). Also, his academic research works appear in top-tier academic journals, such as British Journal of Educational Technology, Simulation & Gaming, and Educational Technology Research and Development.
Personal Webpage: https://jmoon.people.ua.edu/

Graduate

Idowu "David" Awoyemi (Lab Manager)

David Idowu Awoyemi is currently a Ph.D. student of Instructional Technology in the department of Educational Leadership, Policy and Technology Studies. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics Education and has a master’s degree in Educational Technology from one of the best universities in Nigeria, Africa; Federal University of Technology, Minna Nigeria and achieved a remarkable scholastic performance, due to his distinguished academic performance he was conferred on the Outstanding Student during his undergraduate and graduate studies. As an effective instructor and researcher, he has passion to always look for how to make learning more meaningful and interesting to students. His interest includes e-learning, digital based learning, artificial intelligence learning, instructional design. Specifically, he has interest in how new technologies may be applied to solve teaching and learning problems. His contact is [email protected]

Arezoo Ghooreian

Arezoo Ghooreian received her Bachelor of Arts and master’s degrees in English as a Second Language (ESL) from Azad University Najaf Abad Branch, Iran in 2013 and 2016, respectively. She got admitted to the College of Education at the University of Alabama in 2023 with a graduate council fellowship. In 2024, she joined Dr. Moon’s lab as a Graduate Research Assistant. Her research interests include instructional technology, utilization of artificial intelligence in education and game making for developing computational thinking. She has authored a journal article on using Instagram for teaching idioms to upper-intermediate English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners.

Stephen Abu

Stephen Emmanuel Abu is an educational technologist and a dedicated scholar, currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Instructional Technology at the University of Alabama. He had his Bachelor's degree in Educational Technology and a Master's degree in Educational Media Resource Management both from Nigeria. As a doctoral student, Stephen's work is marked by a deep exploration of the intersection between technology and education, with a keen interest in emerging trends and innovative methodologies.
His research focus spans a diverse array of cutting-edge areas, reflecting his commitment to advancing the field. His interests include learning technologies, virtual reality simulation, extended reality (XR), technology-enhanced learning environments, online learning, instructional design, gamification, and generative AI. Stephen’s dedication to understanding and leveraging these technologies is evident in his commitment to enhancing the learning experience for students and educators.
Beyond academia, Stephen's passion extends to graphics design, gaming, and community service. His love for design is a testament to his appreciation for aesthetics and user experience, while his affinity for games reflects a dynamic approach to learning and engagement. Moreover, Stephen finds fulfilment in volunteering, demonstrating a strong sense of social responsibility and a desire to contribute positively to communities.

Natalie Patterson Mohr

Natalie Patterson Mohr earned her undergraduate degree in Secondary Education, specializing in English, Spanish, and K-12 English as a Second Language, from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Graduating with the highest GPA in her major, she was honored with the Most Outstanding Senior Award. During her undergraduate studies, Natalie held leadership positions as president of Kappa Delta Pi Educational Honor Society, Sigma Delta Pi Spanish Honor Society, and Mortar Board National Senior Honor Society. She was also recognized with the Student Government Association Leadership Merit Award for her exemplary service and leadership. In 2005, Natalie earned her Master's degree in Educational Administration and Supervision with honors from Lincoln Memorial University. Continuing her dedication to educational pursuit, in 2024, she joined the University of Alabama's Graduate School of Educational Leadership, Policy and Technology Studies studying Instructional Design. Natalie's research interests focus on integrating artificial intelligence in higher education to enhance critical thinking skills. She is particularly interested in how generative AI can leverage higher-order thinking through instructional design integration and scenario-based learning. Her work aims to develop innovative instructional design strategies that utilize generative AI to foster these skills.

Empress Searight

Empress Searight is an innovative technologist, currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Instructional Technology at the University of Alabama. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from the University of Alabama in Birmingham, and a Master of Technology from Alabama State University, Montgomery, Alabama with an Educational Specialist degree in Instructional Technology from the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa. She has also co-authored a publication on Augmented Reality Game-based Learning in STEM Education. Empress’s research interest is focused on instructional technology, gamification, game-based learning and argumentative reality that is used to enhance educational learning. Her main interest path is instructional technology and design of educational courses using gamification to enhance learners’ learning potential and training and development in the corporate world.