Anna Arici

Biography

Photo of Anna Arici

Anna Arici is Research & Design Officer for One Planet Education Network (OPEN), collaborating with Quest Atlantis and Playable Fictions games. She holds dual PhDs in Educational Psychology and in the Psychological and Brain Sciences. Arici’s research foci include learning, engagement, and metacognition in 3D multi-user educational games. Her work with OPEN and virtual archeologists in Italy has led to an interest in preserving cultural heritage digitally through immersive 3D experiences. She is currently designing a series of Virtual Cultural Heritage sites, which include Virtual Mesa Verde National Park (Colorado, USA), and Virtual Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The games will be available to park visitors through 3D MUVE installations, to enrich their immediate experience, as well as available online to make virtual visits accessible to others worldwide.

In addition to her current work with OPEN, Arici has served as a cognitive scientist for the pioneering Quest Atlantis 3D MUVE education program since its launch in 2001, and as a consultant to various projects including the Robert Wood Johnson ‘Healthy Teens’ game, the Virtual Congress, and Playable Fictions games. Arici has a long history as an educator, ranging from teaching English in Venice, and gifted classes in middle schools, to university courses for pre-service educators, and online courses for graduate students in education.

Sessions