Kayla DesPortes

Kayla DesPortes

Assistant Professor of Human-Computer Interaction & the Learning Sciences

New York University

Biography

I am an Assistant Professor of Human-Computer Interaction and the Learning Sciences at the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. My research vision is to use computing education to empower learners who are typically marginalized by technology. To do this, I design and study artistic computing learning environments and technology. I work in collaboration with educators, learners, artists, and community organizations. This work has led me to explore ways for learners to leverage their cultures and values as they build expressive designs with computing. My projects span across computer science, poetry, electronics, visual arts, photography, social action, machine learning, dance, and data science.

I am the PI (i.e. lead researcher) on a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant working with dance and computing educators to examine how the disciplines can be synergistic (STEM+C 1933961). The project investigates the ways physical computing, machine learning, and data science can be valuable for various dance communities. I am also the Co-PI (i.e. a supporting researcher) on an NSF grant exploring the co-design of data literacy and art curricula with middle school art and math teachers (DRK12 1908557). Further, my work exploring commercialization of my educational computing technology has led to acquisition of National Science Foundation Innovation-Corps (I-Corps) funding.

Interests

  • Artistic Computing Education
  • Physical Computing Education
  • Data Science & Data Literacy
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Equity with Technology

Education

  • PhD in Human Centered Computing, 2018

    Georgia Tech

  • BSc in Electrical Computer Eng., 2010

    Cornell University

Projects

*

BitBlox: Redesigning the Breadboard

Exploring the design of prototyping tools.

Computational Murals

Co-designing curriculum and technology to support computational murals with microcontrollers and processing.

Dancing Across Boundaries of Computing Education

Exploring the value of physical computing, data science, and machine learning within communities of dance.

Data+Art Literacy Curriculum Co-Design

Co-designing data literacy curriculum with middle school art and math teachers.

Social Justice Makersapce

Exploring the growth and development of a makerspace centered on community engagement.

Spectrum of Modularity

Exploring the design of circuit modules for physical computing to promote learning

The MoveLab

A physical computing and dance experience for young women in middle and high school.

Recent Publications

Quickly discover relevant content by filtering publications.

Trials and Tribulations of Novices Working with the Arduino

The research presented reports on the qualitative analysis of a laboratory study in which 31 novices work with the Arduino for the first time.

Framing Makerspace Communities

Drawing from over 50 interviews with diverse individuals who identify as makers we explored ways that communities were shaped the physical or online structures they occupy and a shared understanding of behaviors within the community.

Where are the Glass-Boxes? Examining the Spectrum of Modularity in Physical Computing Hardware Tools

Within this study, we examine the transparency and affordances for interaction of the physical computing hardware tools. Using our findings from this examination, we layout a framework that outlines spectrum of modularity that can be provided to facilitate learning with maker kits.

Participatory Design for Value-Driven Learning

In this chapter, we explore how participatory design has shaped our interest-driven learning experiences into value-driven learning experiences. Using two case studies, we demonstrate how traditional participatory design practices and a meta-design approach to participatory design can help craft value-driven learning that enables students to navigate seemingly countervailing values, nurtures their interests, and creates supportive contexts in which to pursue those interests.

Experience

 
 
 
 
 

Assistant Professor of HCI & the Learning Sciences

New York University

Sep 2018 – Present New York, NY
 
 
 
 
 

Research Intern @ Creative Technologies Lab

Adobe Systems Incorporated

Jun 2014 – Jun 2015 San Francisco, CA
 
 
 
 
 

Graduate Research Assistant

Georgia Institute of Technology

Aug 2013 – Jun 2018 Atlanta, GA
 
 
 
 
 

Component Design Engineer

Intel Corporation

Aug 2010 – Jul 2013 Hudson, MA

Contact

If your interested in joining the lab, I’m recruiting! You would be part of the Educational Communication and Technology PhD program. The work I do is interdisciplinary, so I also recruit students of all backgrounds. Some of the relevant backgrounds are: Human-Computer Interaction, Learning Sciences & Education, Artistic Disciplines, Computer Science, Engineering, Pyschology, Sociology, & Anthropology.

My only steadfast requirements are: that you are self-driven individual who wouldn’t wait for me to make progress on your own, you are excited about the fields and are constantly looking to push your work to new levels, you are willing to dedicate your time to reading and writing research articles, you are not afraid to amp up your technical capabilities (ex. electronics and coding), and you can work with people. Already having some technical knowledge in coding and circuits is desired but not required.

  • 370 Jay Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
  • Monday 1:00pm to 3:00pm
    Tuesday 4:00pm to 6:00pm