The Makawalu Visualization Environment: Defining Design Practice of Spatial Augmented Realities for Place-Based Learning in Indigenous Education

Abstract

This research investigates how immersive technologies can effectively support place-based learning approaches to benefit Indigenous students. Employing a research through design (RtD) approach, the dissertation aims to identify design principles and metrics that measure the impact of immersive technologies within student development programs, particularly when they are adapted to unique Indigenous educational frameworks. The iterative design and development of the spatial augmented reality (SAR) system, Makawalu Visualization Environment (VE), serves as a case study to evaluate how these technologies facilitate meaningful interactions with place, culture, and ancestral knowledge. The key contributions of this work include a set of design principles, an equitable co-design framework, and a rubric for assessing the effectiveness of immersive technology in facilitating place-based learning activities. The findings of this dissertation contribute to the field of human-computer interaction (HCI) by underscoring the need for indigenous-centered design processes that prioritize the unique learning contexts of Indigenous communities