In an era where technology permeates every aspect of our lives, teaching and learning about digital literacy is crucial for empowering individuals to navigate, critically evaluate, and effectively contribute to the digital world.

Dr Spencer Striker is the latest expert we've consulted to help us grow our knowledge and support for our community of educators and their students. He's an associate professor at Northwestern University in Qatar, specialising in digital media design and innovative learning experiences.

Spencer's work bridges academic expertise with technology innovation. With cutting-edge tools to foster digital literacy and interactive learning, he intersects mobile media, interaction design, digital storytelling, and education technology entrepreneurship.

His flagship project, History Adventures: World of Characters, reimagines history education through immersive technology and narrative design, and his Global Pandemics series and mobile game Dr Sara: Disease Detective enhance public health awareness through interactive storytelling. 

In this Q&A, ahead of his keynote speech at our Middle East Institute on International Admission & Guidance in Qatar on 20 February (there’s still time to register!), we asked Spencer about digital literacy challenges and how interactive media and game-based education can enhance the university research and admission experience for secondary school students.

 

 

How can interactive media & game-based education enhance students’ university research & admission experience?

Simulations and role-playing games offer immersive, hands-on insights into academic fields. By solving problems and making real-time decisions, students sharpen analytical skills while exploring potential majors, building confidence as they navigate admissions and envision their future fields of study.

 

What’s the biggest digital literacy challenge facing secondary students in the Middle East as they prepare for higher education?

The biggest challenge is helping students critically evaluate online sources. Misinformation spreads rapidly, and without robust digital literacy—such as fact-checking and ethical internet use—students may rely on unverified information. I’m currently working on a new game, Chaos Corp,  that teaches media literacy through interactive gameplay, enhancing student readiness for higher education.

 

What’s your advice for students pursuing careers in digital media design & education technology entrepreneurship?

Prepare for a fast-paced industry by embracing self-learning and understanding generative AI. Build confidence and curiosity through tinkering and exploration. Don’t wait to be taught—seek quality resources and structure your path. Embrace failure as growth, collaborate with complementary teammates, and share your work to build a portfolio and gain feedback.

 

Give us a ‘sneak peek’ into your keynote session, and highlight some key takeaways for your attendees.

Expect a tour of the frontier of generative AI tools—such as Runway ML, MidJourney, and ElevenLabs—and their transformative impact on digital media design and education. Attendees will discover how these tools democratize creativity, enabling self-directed learning and fostering experimentation.

Additionally, we’ll explore ethical considerations, portfolio building, and preparing students to future-proof themselves for a world increasingly dominated by generative AI.

 

Name three practical ways your keynote will motivate your audience to act when they return to university/school.

• Implement AI literacy programs to empower creative innovation
• Encourage the use of AI platforms to inspire personalized learning paths
• Teach ethical AI usage for responsible digital media creation

 

 

 

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Related content:

CIS Events:

View our events for university guidance counsellors, future pathways advisors, admissions reps and student services:

• International University Fairs
• University Exploration Days
• Regional Institutes on International Admission & Guidance
• Global Forum on International Admission & Guidance
• Monthly one-hour live member connections

 

Blogs:

• Jane Larsson reflects on three new realizations that emerged from our 2024 CIS Global Forum, including the digital transitions students experience when they head to higher education in the post, What we learned at the 2024 CIS Global Forum
• Seven ways to prevent & respond to online sexual extortion
• Celebrating excellence in higher education admission & guidance
• Bridging the gap between schools & universities for successful post-secondary student transitions
• Generative AI: A whole school approach to safeguarding children
• Key trends in international university guidance and admissions