University of Central Florida
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Exploring The Role of Geofencing, Geolocation, and Audio Descriptions in Enhancing Mobility and Inclusion for Individuals with Blindness and Visual Impairments in Museums and Indoor Spaces
No full textThis dissertation explores the challenges individuals with blindness and visual impairments face in navigating cultural spaces, explicitly focusing on museums, and emphasizes the importance of inclusion. The study explores how conventional accessibility solutions can accidentally establish obstacles which restrict autonomy and diminish chances for meaningful participation. Accessibility challenges were identified through qualitative observations at the Gateway Museum, located within the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Merritt Island, Florida. Additionally, interviews and a participatory co-design methodology involving five participants with blindness and visual impairments were conducted. These methods led to the development of a mobility application that combines geolocation technology, geofencing, and audio descriptions to support visitor navigation and interaction in museum spaces. The purpose of this dissertation is to demonstrate the need for museums to build cultural spaces that enable individuals with disabilities, especially those with blindness or visual impairments, to participate completely in their experiences. Inclusive design enables visitors to enter spaces where they feel appreciated and motivated to engage. This approach aligns with the principles of inclusion in cultural spaces, including museums
Super Bowl
No full textIn the beginning, it was no larger than a snowflake. Then, it grew to the size of a snowball. Within a few years, it resembled a Midwest snowstorm. Now, it is nothing short of an avalanche
Episode 71: Dr. Jesse Rothbard - Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies (Sept./Oct. 2025 event details shared!!)
No full textIn this episode, we introduce Dr. Jesse Rothbard, an assistant professor in Spanish and coordinator of the Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx studies program at UCF. Hear Jesse talk about the experiences which brought him to this point in his career, including living in Argentina, Brazil, and obtaining his PhD from Chicago. Hear him share stories about his experiences with the Fulbright Program, including teaching English in Argentina and conducting archival research in Brazil. He emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary studies and encourages students to explore opportunities like the Fulbright and English Language Fellowship programs. He also shares news about upcoming events in Fall 2025 including a performance of Anna in the Tropics and a Latin American/Latinx film festival.
For more details about the upcoming Anna in the Tropics shows: https://www.orlandoshakes.org/show/anna-in-the-tropics/
For more details on the Latin American/Latinx Film Festival: https://sciences.ucf.edu/politics/latin-american-latinx-film-festival
Effectiveness of Pre-service Teachers’ Service Learning with English Language Learners Via Zoom
No full textThis study investigates service-learning experiences for university students in a teacher certification program, explored through the lens of sociocultural theory. Data was collected from pre-service teachers (PST) involved in service learning conducted virtually using Zoom with Vietnamese pre-service teachers. Data was in the form of surveys, which included short reflections and yes/no responses. Findings show that the service-learning program allowed PST to have the opportunity to apply the strategies learned in their coursework with ELs and increased their sense of preparation as a result. Pre-service teachers reported the service-learning communities of practice to be beneficial for their ELs. Implications highlight the importance of service-learning which allows the university to increase its visibility in the community
Handwritten Digit Recognition using Machine Learning Classifiers
No full textThis project explores and compares the performance of various machine learning classifiers for handwritten digit recognition using the MNIST dataset. The classifiers include Logistic Regression, k-Nearest Neighbors, and Convolutional Neural Networks. Each classifier is evaluated based on accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and confusion matrix analysis
Better Together: Embedding Media Literacy into Academic Courses
No full textIn an era where digital information is abundant and often misleading, equipping college students with media literacy skills is more crucial than ever. This lightning talk will provide a streamlined guide to developing a comprehensive media literacy course specifically designed for college students. Attendees will learn about the essential components of the course, including how to design an engaging curriculum, implement effective teaching strategies, and utilize assessment methods to gauge student understanding.
Participants will be able to:
Understand the importance of media literacy within the broader context of information literacy and its impact on college students’ ability to navigate digital information, including social media. Identify the steps involved in designing a media literacy course, including setting clear learning objectives, selecting appropriate materials, and structuring the curriculum effectively. Learn effective teaching methods for engaging college students in media literacy, such as interactive activities, discussions, and multimedia resources that foster critical thinking and analysis. Discuss various assessment tools to measure college students’ understanding and application of media literacy skills, ensuring that they can critically evaluate media sources and make informed decisions.
This lightning talk aims to equip educators with the knowledge and tools needed to develop and implement a media literacy course that empowers college students to critically analyze media content and navigate the digital landscape with confidence. Presenters are currently in the process of developing the course and will discuss their process and results to date
LEADing with the Heart: A Service-Learning Project
No full textIn this service-learning project, for LDR3215, we worked with Hearts for the Homeless Orlando to learn more about their organization for the past semester through volunteer service. Throughout our service experience, we conducted free health screenings for the homeless population of downtown Orlando. These screenings included blood pressure, EKG readings, hearing exams, and vision tests. We were able to grow as leaders and as future health professionals. Over the course of our project, we completed over 60 hours of servicehttps://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2025fall/1021/thumbnail.jp
Human-Machine Communication: Complete Volume. Volume 11
No full textThis is the complete volume of HMC Volume 11
Change Through Social Media: Sparking Wildlife Conservation One Click at a Time
No full textAs the natural world faces unprecedented threats, conservation efforts depend not only on research and policy but also on public awareness and engagement. This project partnered with the Zoo Miami Foundation to promote awareness through social media initiatives and interactive educational events at the University of Central Florida.
The authors began by studying Zoo Miami’s ongoing conservation projects and the specific environmental pressures faced by endangered species and habitats. To align with Zoo Miami’s exceptional standard of credibility, the team conducted in-depth research that extended beyond the foundation’s website to create material that served to both inform the general public and inspire greater emotional connection while encouraging real-world action.
To translate research into impact, the team created original graphics and captions for Zoo Miami’s social media platforms, targeting topics where the foundation identified the greatest need for awareness. Instagram was chosen for its ability to connect emotionally with younger audiences most likely to turn interest into advocacy.
Beyond social media, the project expanded into direct education by hosting interactive events for UCF students. These sessions featured multimedia educational resources and interactive activities, fostering discussion and curiosity about wildlife protection. Attendance and participation exceeded expectations, with many attendees expressing increased motivation to learn more and take conservation-related action.
Key outcomes included heightened engagement among attendees, anecdotal evidence of increased conservation awareness, and stronger visibility for Zoo Miami’s mission. Future initiatives will expand to raise awareness about additional endangered species and develop more interactive educational events that empower continued conservation engagement.https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2025fall/1066/thumbnail.jp
Enhancing Ulcerative Colitis Care: Combining a Fasting Mimicking Diet with Induction Therapy
No full textThis project analyzed a clinical trial investigating the effectiveness of adding a Fasting-Mimicking Diet (FMD) to advanced induction therapy for patients with Ulcerative Colitis (UC) The study (NCT0405410) was a Phase 3, randomized controlled trial involving 32 active participants. The intervention group (n=14) received advanced therapy plus the FMD, while the control group (n=18) received therapy alone. The primary objective was to determine if the FMD could improve remission rates and biomarkers. The trial found a statistically significant (P=0.05) benefit for the combined treatment group. The intervention group achieved a 57% clinical response rate compared to 38% in the control group. These results suggest that an FMD isa promising and safe adjunctive (supportive) therapy for managing UC.https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2025fall/1048/thumbnail.jp