My Journey | rabita.si

Professional Overview

My career journey has been a path shaped by curiosity, creativity, and a deep commitment to hands-on learning that can truly make a difference in how young minds develop. It all began when I earned my BA (Hons.) in Business Studies in the UK. After returning to Bangladesh, I joined an NGO as a Research Assistant, diving into data analysis and project management to support their initiatives. This experience was eye-opening, not only in terms of developing my skills in data analysis, teamwork, and communication, but also in revealing how collaboration can lead to real change. It sparked a passion for understanding how people learn, and how we can design experiences that have a lasting impact.

As I worked on various projects, I started to see the bigger picture—the role that creativity and problem-solving could play in making meaningful impacts. This drive to create positive change led me to launch my own online business in 2011, designing and selling traditional women’s apparel. Through this venture, I learned the importance of understanding consumer needs and building connections through digital marketing. The business’s success, including recognition from Google Business Group and an award for ‘Best Startup Performer of 2012,’ pushed me to realize that my true passion wasn’t just in business—it was in creating experiences that truly resonate with people, particularly learners.

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This realization set me on a new path. I pursued degrees in Communication Design and Interaction Design, where I explored creative possibilities for educational technology. I began designing platforms to engage young learners, blending elements like gamification and motivational tools to help kids connect with topics such as culture, nature, and tradition. One of the projects I loved most was bridging indoor and outdoor learning—showing how technology could support both digital skills and a deeper appreciation for the world around us.

As I progressed, I found myself drawn to a larger mission: improving how we design and deliver learning experiences, especially for young people. This led to my role as the lead for the Interaction Design team at NetDragon, where I worked on Edmodo, an educational platform with millions of users worldwide. In collaboration with a talented team of UX designers, we redesigned the platform’s user experience to make learning more inclusive and engaging. This experience was transformative, as it reinforced my belief that well-designed tools could spark real learning and have a profound impact on students' lives.

The more I explored the intersection of design, technology, and education, the more I wanted to dive deeper into how learning actually happens. I began to see learning as a dynamic process—not just about acquiring information, but about developing skills like creativity, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving. I wanted to understand how to create environments where these skills thrive, and where students are inspired to take ownership of their own learning.

This passion eventually led me to pursue a PhD in Learning Technologies from UNT. My research is on Learning Experience Design (LXD), where I am focused on how the Design Thinking framework can meet the needs of young learners and foster their self-efficacy. My research integrates innovative elements such as digital citizenship, AI literacy, Virtual Reality, block-based coding, and game design to help equip students with the skills they need for an ever-evolving world. My goal is to cultivate a growth mindset in students—helping them see that intelligence is not fixed but something that can grow with effort and persistence.

At the same time, my work as an Instructional Designer and Academic Technology Coordinator allows me to collaborate with teachers, integrating project-based learning that promotes creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. By applying the Design Thinking approach, I help create spaces where students feel empowered to tackle real-world challenges while developing important skills like empathy, teamwork, and resilience.

Through my research and professional experiences, I’ve come to believe that education is not just about teaching content—it’s about designing experiences that inspire a lifelong love of learning. As I continue my journey, I’m committed to not only reshaping how we teach but also how we design learning environments that stay with learners for life.

Throughout my PhD journey, I have been incredibly fortunate to have the unwavering support and guidance of professors and mentors who believed in me, especially during the most challenging moments. Starting my PhD during the COVID pandemic, I was overwhelmed, uncertain, and at times felt completely lost. In those early days, it felt like everything was uncertain—there was a part of me that feared I might have to drop out of the program entirely. However, it was during this time that I was blessed to have the mentorship of my supervisor, Dr. Cockerham, and my committee members, Dr. Scott Warren and, later, Dr. Dave L Edyburn. They all saw something in me when I couldn’t see it in myself.

Their belief in my potential gave me the strength to push through when I doubted my ability to succeed. They not only provided valuable academic guidance but also reminded me, time and again, that I could do this—that I had what it took to overcome the obstacles in front of me. Every meeting with them, every piece of advice, and every word of encouragement made an immeasurable difference in my ability to keep going. They helped me navigate the complexities of the PhD process, guiding me through research challenges, providing insight into my work, and encouraging me to think critically and creatively.

For an international student like me—who had just moved to a new country, facing the pressures of adapting to a new academic culture while also dealing with the global uncertainties brought by the pandemic—this support was absolutely vital. I cannot overstate how important it is to have mentors who not only see your academic potential but also recognize the personal and professional hurdles you face as you pursue your dreams in a new and unfamiliar environment. Their understanding and belief in me have been a constant source of motivation and inspiration, and I am very thankful for their support.