Book signing at the ATD TechKnowledge Conference for my ‘5 Models for Data-Driven Learning’ TD at Work guide.
Learning Science is my passion
For the past 12 years, I have been fascinated by cognition. There is something so captivating about studying humans’ ability to encode and make meaning of the information and experiences we’re exposed to, how our attention, stimulation, and memory play a role in shaping our understanding of the word, and how we can leverage our knowledge of how the human mind works to motivate and unlock skills and abilities within ourselves and others. It is this very passion that fuels my work.
Learning Engineering is my practice
I apply learning engineering processes such as data-driven, evidence-centered, learning experience design to inform, instrument, and validate learning solutions and the learning design ecosystems that produce them to optimize and scale.
I draw from the learning sciences, utilize human-centered and engineering design methodologies, and iterative data-informed decision making to support the development of learning platforms, learning experiences, and learners.
My Transformative Journey
THE BEGINNING
Cognitive Development.
My early years in the psychology field were focused on studying cognition and human development. I worked in the UC Davis Infant Cognition Lab researching attention, categorization, and visual working memory in infants, participated in seminars focused on early language acquisition, intelligence, and studied the impact of an experiential learning curriculum aimed to build social and emotional competencies in teens. This sparked my interest in mindsets and motivation as they apply to learning, achievement, and fulfilling one’s potential.
Poster at the University of California Davis Undergraduate Research Conference (2013)
THE MIDDLE
Human-Computer Interaction.
With a growing interest in leveraging the new technological advances at the time, and maintaining a strong interest in learning sciences, I decided to pursue a graduate degree in Cognitive Studies in Education with a concentration in Intelligent Technologies at Columbia University. My goal was to bridge research and practice by learning how to design learning environments well suited to spark engagement, inquiry, and propel learning through the mechanisms rooted in human-computer interaction.
President of Teacher's College, Columbia University mentioned my research at the Master's Degree Convocation ceremony. (2015)
THE PRESENT
Immersive Learning Design.
Over time, my interest in the intersection of instructional design and cognitive psychology grew deeper and I began to explore and practice learning experience design of various types including immersive learning, game-design, blended learning, distance learning, live instruction, and professional development. As a lifelong learner, I continue to hone my design skills, integrating various processes, frameworks, methods, and approaches. My current interests include virtual reality, learning analytics, and learning engineering.
Showcasing educational games at the 6th Annual Ed Games Expo in Washington D.C. (2019). Photo Credit: Johnny Bivera & the ESA
The beautiful thing about lifelong learning is that the immersive learning desiger I can be tomorrow is still to be determined.
Citations
Torrence, K. (2024, June 18) Learning Engineering Approaches to Enhance Your Practice and Advance the Field. Learning DevCamp, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
Torrence, K. (2024, May 18) Learning Engineering 101: Applying Evidence-Based Practices. ATD International Conference & Expo, Online.
Torrence, K. (2024, February 8) Designing Beyond Reality: A Beginner's Guide to VR Learning Design. ATD TechKnowledge, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Mueller, R. & Torrence, K., (2023, October 26) Participatory Design: A Collaborative Approach to VR Training (Conference presentation). DevLearn 2023 Conference & Expo. Las Vegas, NV, USA
Torrence, K., (2023, October 24) Measuring Success in Virtual Reality (Conference presentation). ARVR for Learning Summit 2023. Las Vegas, NV, USA
Torrence, K., (2023, October 24) Storyboarding in Virtual Reality (Conference presentation). ARVR for Learning Summit 2023. Las Vegas, NV, USA
Torrence, K., (2023, October 23) Designing for Virtual Reality (Conference presentation). ARVR for Learning Summit 2023. Las Vegas, NV, USA
Torrence, Kristin. (2023, July 25) Learning Engineering 101: Applying Evidence-Based Practices (Conference presentation). ATD Core4, Alexandria, VA, USA.
McEldoon, K. & Torrence, K. (2023, July 24) Improving VR-based workforce learning design with the Learning Design Principles: A Talespin Case Study (Conference presentation). IEEE ICICLE Learning Engineering Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Torrence, K., Jackson, K. (2023, June 29) Where Learning Design and Generative AI Meet (Webinar), Talespin Reality Labs, Online.
Roldan, A., Torrence, K. (2023, May 22) Into the Metaverse: New Technologies for Learning (Conference presentation). ATD International Conference & Expo, San Diego, CA, USA.
Torrence, K. (2023, May 21) Tips and Templates: Learning Engineering for Virtual Reality (Conference presentation). ATD International Conference & Expo. Online.
Torrence, K., Mueller, R. (2023, April 5) Creating Scenario-Based Learning Simulations with VR (Webinar). Talespin Reality Labs. Online.
Torrence, K., (2023, February 8) Integrating Learning Engineering Practices Into Your Immersive Learning Design Processes (Conference presentation). ATD TechKnowledge. New Orleans, LA, USA
Torrence, K., (2022, October 27) Building Better VR Solutions with Learning Engineering Practices (Conference presentation). DevLearn 2022 Conference & Expo. Las Vegas, NV, USA
Torrence, K., (2022, October 25) How Real is Real Enough for Virtual Reality (Conference presentation). VR for Learning Summit 2022. Las Vegas, NV, USA
Dannewitz, B., Torrence, K., (2022, September 20-22) Building Trust in Virtual Reality (Conference presentation). TechLearn 2022. Austin, TX, USA
Torrence, K., Mueller, R. (2022, August 31) Leveraging Personas to Craft Authentic & Compelling Scenarios. In The Learning Guild. Industry Experts Share Learning Experience Design Advice (29-34). Santa Rosa, CA: The Learning Guild.
Torrence, K. (2022, August 19). 5 Important Considerations Before You Design Virtual Reality (VR) Training [Webinar]. TrainingPros. https://webinars.training-pros.com/virtual-reality-vr/
Torrence, K., Mueller, R. (2022, August 3). Leveraging Personas to Craft Authentic and Compelling Scenarios [Conference presentation]. Learning Experience Design Online Conference, Online.
Torrence, K., Mares, J. (2022, July 15). How Learning Designers Can Best Take Advantage of AR & VR [Webinar]. University of San Diego. https://event.webinarjam.com/register/239/m0o45ig6
Torrence, K. (2022, June 22). Designing and Assessing Learning in VR Using an Evidence-Centered Approach [Conference presentation]. 1st Int. Workshop on Analytics, Learning & Collaboration in eXtended Reality, Online.
Torrence, K. (2022, June 15). Evidence-Centered Design for Virtual Reality Training [Conference presentation]. Learning Ideas Conference, Online.
Torrence, K. (2022, May 30). Applying Evidence-Centered Design to Assess Learner Competency Levels in VR Learning Experiences [Conference presentation]. 8th International Conference of the Immersive Learning Research Network, Online.
Torrence, K. (2022, May 26) Modeling Can Be Your Secret Weapon. In The Learning Guild. How to Incorporate Learning Science into Your Work (21-23). Santa Rosa, CA: The Learning Guild.
Torrence, K. (2022, April 6). Evidence-Centered Design for Virtual Reality Training [Conference presentation]. Learning Science in the Real World, Online.
Torrence, K. (2021, December 10). Using Learning Analytics to Measure Competencies in Educational Games [Conference presentation]. xAPI Party, Online.
Torrence, K. (2021, October 20-22). Designing and Assessing Learning in VR Using an Evidence-Centered Approach [Conference presentation]. DevLearn 2021 Conference & Expo, Las Vegas, NV, United States.
Same person, different name, after the vows were exchanged :)
Villanueva, K., & Vaidya, J. (2019). Power up Learning With Mobile Games: The Educational Arcade – An Innovative Approach to Learning. In D. Mentor (Ed.), Advancing Mobile Learning in Contemporary Educational Spaces (pp. 209-242). Hershey, PA: IGI Global. doi:10.4018/978-1-5225-9351-5.ch008
Villanueva, K., & Vaidya, J. (2017). Transforming Learning with Mobile Games: Learning with mGames. In Management Association, I. (Ed.), Blended Learning: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications (pp. 308-326). IGI Global. http://doi:10.4018/978-1-5225-0783-3.ch015
Villanueva, K. (2016) A Comparison of Mindsets and Goal Orientations Using Number Line Estimation Software. In. Z. Bekirogullari, M-Y. Minas & R-X. Thambusamy (Eds.), The European Proceedings of Social & Behavioural Sciences EpSBS (pp. 96-112). Rhodes, Greece. http://dx.doi.org/10.15405/epsbs.2016.11.11
Villanueva, K. (2016, October). A Comparison of Mindsets and Goal Orientations Using Number Line Estimation Software. Poster at the International Conference on Education and Educational Psychology. Rhodes, Greece.
Villanueva, K.; Vaidya, J. (2016). Transforming Learning with Mobile Games: Learning with mGames. In D. Mentor (Ed.). Handbook of research on mobile learning in contemporary classrooms (260-278). Hershey, PA: IGI Global. doi:10.4018/978-1-5225-0251-7
Piliouras, T., Yu, R., Villanueva, K., Chen, Y., Robillard, H., Berson, M., ... & Attre, M. (2014, April). A deeper understanding of technology is needed for workforce readiness—Playing games, texting, and tweets aren't enough to make students Tech-Savvy. In American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE Zone 1), 2014 Zone 1 Conference of the (pp. 1-8). IEEE.
Lewis, K.M., Horrillo, S.J., Espinoza, D., Moncloa, F., Nathaniel, K., Young, J., Miner, G., Villanueva, K., and Trzesniewski, K.H. (2014, March). The Effects of Adult Leader Characteristics on Positive Youth Development in 4-H Youth. Paper presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research on Adolescence. Austin, Texas.
Villanueva, K., Lewis, K., Trzesniewski, K. (2013, April). Effects of volunteer characteristics on positive youth development in 4-H youth. Poster at the University of California Davis Undergraduate Research Conference. Davis, CA.