Dr Zi Siang See specialises in the design, use and integration of interactive media, including augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). His research and practice are multidisciplinary, bringing together the fields of education technologies, digital humanities and digital health. Zi has over 15 years’ experience working in the field, in industry and universities nationally and internationally.
Zi’s research has contributed to new systems, theories and studies in human-computer-interaction, education technologies and inclusive design. He is a board member of the International Society on Virtual Systems and Multimedia and an editorial board member for Virtual Creativity, an international journal focused on emerging technologies and digital creativity.
What inspires you about teaching and interacting with students in Education?
I'm currently leading and coordinating some of the key units in Education focused on digital technologies. Digital technologies support the development of digital literacy across the curriculum, especially in the context of the Australian Curriculum. In our units, students develop expertise and production skills in an area focused on technologies education. To promote the development of digital literacy and the preparedness of a future-ready workforce, all students become consumers and creators of this content. When developing their solutions, they take into account various sustainability factors, including diversity, ethics, and economic, environmental and social sustainability.
What do you believe to be the most important attributes that Education graduates need?
The emphasis of the Australian Curriculum’s Technologies stream is on 'Creating Solutions'. Therefore, my aim for the students is to develop expertise and specialisation in the field of educational technology and extended reality simulation learning for this purpose. By participating in some of our technologies-driven units and programs, I hope that Education graduates will be able to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of a range of technologies resources, as well as the processes and production skills required to create specialised educational digital solutions, including classroom practice and application.
How long have you been with the University and what are your career highlights so far?
I joined UTAS in early 2022 and it has been an enjoyable journey to be a part of the School of Education. I feel privileged to be able to support our pre-service teachers in some of our Bachelor of Education and Master of Teaching programs. Beyond teaching, one of the projects I've enjoyed working on most is the Table Cape VR education technology project Walking with Giants, which was designed to offer an immersive learning experience for community storytelling. Table Cape, near Wynyard, is an extinct volcano renowned for its tourism and rich heritage values. As part of a broader education technology and digital tourism initiative, Walking with Giants provides educators, students and community members with the opportunity to visualise the 3D-scanned terrain of Table Cape in virtual reality. Currently, the creative project is being exhibited at the Wonders of Wynyard Exhibition and Visitor Information Centre, a joint initiative involving creators and researchers from the University of Tasmania, industry partners from Business Northwest and the Waratah Wynyard Council.
What is your area of research interest and why is it important?
I have specialised over the past 10 years in the design, use, and integration of interactive media, including but not limited to augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) research-creation. I have over 15 years of experience working within the field of interaction design and digital media, both in industries and within university institutions, nationally and internationally. These experiences include collaborations with multinational corporations such as McDonald’s, Lafarge Cement, Servier, Leo Burnett, DDB, and Saatchi & Saatchi Arachnid. My work has contributed to the development of new systems, theories, and studies in human-computer interaction (HCI), educational technologies, and inclusive design. My ultimate goal is to explore how technologies can be used in various contexts for social good.