Barrett, Alexander James
Alex.James.Barrett@gmail.com
(Last updated: December 3, 2023)

-Education-

Florida State University
Ph.D. in Instructional Systems & Learning Technology, expected 2026

San Francisco State University
M.A. in Education (TESOL)

San Francisco State University
B.A. in English Literature
Minor in Philosophy

Evergreen Valley College
A.A. Liberal Studies

-Certification-

CITI Program, Ethics in Human Subjects Research: Social/Behavioral

Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Supporting Learning in Higher Education

ITTT (International TEFL & TESOL Training) certificate

-Academic Positions-

Florida State University, August 2021 – Present
600 W College Ave, Tallahassee, FL      Research Scientist

Alasala Colleges, September 2020 – September 2021
Dammam, Saudi Arabia
Course Director

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, August 2017 – August 2020
Suzhou, China
Lecturer

The British Council, November 2017 – September 2019
Shanghai, China
Examiner

Namangan State University, October 2015 – August 2017
Namangan, Uzbekistan
English Language Fellow contracted with the U.S. Department of State

Hyogo Prefecture Board of Education, August 2013 – August 2015
Sumoto High School, Hyogo, Japan
Assistant Language Teacher (JET)

Minerva Bilingual School, August 2012 – June 2013
Gracias, Lempira, Honduras
Teacher

City College of San Francisco, January 2011 – May 2011
50 Frida Kahlo Way, San Francisco, CA 94112
Student Teacher

San Francisco State University, January 2010 – May 2010
1600 Holloway Ave, San Francisco, CA 94132
Teaching Assistant

Project SHINE, February 2009 – May 2009
1600 Holloway Ave, San Francisco, CA 94132
Volunteer tutor

-Management Experience-

Costco Wholesale, April 1999 – May 2012
450 10th street, San Francisco, CA 94103
Manager

-Publications-

Refereed Journal Articles

Barrett, A,, Ke, F., Zhang, N. & Sokolikj, Z. (Submitted). Implementation fidelity of an evidence-centered computational thinking intervention in a virtual world for neurodiverse adolescents. Interactive Learning Environments.

Barrett, A. & Pack, A. (2023). Not quite eye to A.I.: Student and teacher perspectives on the use of generative artificial intelligence in the writing process. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 20(59). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-023-00427-0

Escalante, J., Pack, A. & Barrett, A. (2023). AI-generated feedback on writing: Insights into efficacy and ENL student preference. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 20(57). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-023-00425-2

Barrett, A., Pack, A., Monteiro, D. & Liang, H.-N. (2023). Exploring the effects of variations in audience appearance on speaker anxiety and performance in virtual reality and real-life presentation contexts. Behavior & Information Technology. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2023.2186145

Monteiro, D., Liang, H.-N., Wang, A., Wang, L., Li, H., Barrett, A. & Pack, A. (2023). Effects of audience familiarity on anxiety in a virtual reality public speaking tool. Universal Access in the Information Society. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-023-00985-0

Pack, A., Kiss, T., Barrett, A. & Chen, C. (2021). Towards a Non-Dichotomous View of Motivators and Demotivators in Language Learning. International Journal of Applied Linguistics, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijal.12397

Barrett, A., Pack, A. & Quaid, E. D. (2021). Understanding learners’ acceptance of high-immersion virtual reality systems: Insights from confirmatory and exploratory PLS-SEM analyses. Computers & Education, 169(2021), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2021.104214

Quaid, E. & Barrett, A. (2021). Interpretations of spoken utterance fluency in simulated and face-to-face oral proficiency interviews. Language Education & Assessment, 4(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.29140/lea.v4n1.385.

Barrett, A., Pack, A., Guo, Y. & Wang, N. (2021). Technology acceptance model and multi-user virtual reality learning environments for Chinese language education. Interactive Learning Environments. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2020.1855209

Pack, A. & Barrett, A. (2021). A review of virtual reality and English for academic purposes: Understanding where to start. International Journal of Computer Assisted Language Learning and Teaching, 11(1), 72-80. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJCALLT.2021010105

Pack, A., Barrett, A., Liang, H.-N. & Montiero, D. (2020). University EAP Students’ Perceptions of Using a Prototype Virtual Reality Learning Environment to Learn Writing Structure, International Journal of Computer Assisted Language Learning and Teaching, 10(1), 27-46. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJCALLT.2020010103

Barrett, A. (2019). Extended Icebreaker. English Teaching Forum, 57(3), 33-35.

Barrett, A. (2018). Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching: The Case of China, ETiC: English Teaching in China, 10, 22-24.

Book Chapters

Barrett, A. & Pack, A. (2022). The State of Extended Reality Technologies in Language Education and Research. In B. Zou, M. Thomas, D. Barr & W. Jia (Eds.), Emerging Concepts in Technology-Enhanced Language Teaching and Learning (pp. 16-41). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-8981-6.ch002

Quaid, E. & Barrett, A. (2020). Toward the Future of Computer-Assisted Language Testing: Assessing Spoken Performance through Semi-Direct Tests. In B., Zou, & M., Thomas (Eds.), Recent Developments in Technology-Enhanced and Computer-Assisted Language Learning (pp. 208-235). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/987-1-7998-1282-1

Barrett, A. (2019). Semantics. In C., Chen & G., Morris (Eds.), How Language Works- A brief introduction to linguistics (pp. 92-110). Macmillan Red Globe Press.

Refereed Conference Proceedings

Barrett, A., Ke, F., Dai, C.-P., West, L., Bhowmik, S. & Zhang, N. (2023). AI-integrated virtual students for teacher training: Comparing simulation-based classroom dialogue to the real thing. The 17th International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS).

Barrett, A., Zhang, N., Ke, F., Moon, J. & Sokolikj, Z. (2022). Development of an evidence-centered model for computational thinking in virtual worlds with children with autism. The 8th International Conference of the Immersive Learning Research Network (iLRN2022), 30-32.

Bhowmik, S., Barrett, A., Ke, F., Yuan, X., Southerland, S., Dai, C.-P., West, L. & Dai, Z. (2022). Simulating students: An AI chatbot for teacher training. In Chinn, C., Tan, E., Chan, C. & Kali, Y. (Eds.). Proceedings of the 16th International Conference of the Learning Sciences – ICLS.

Quaid, E., Pack, A.,  Barrett, A. & Zhou, L. (2020). Students’ intention to use high-immersion virtual reality systems for learning paragraph structure: A PLS-SEM exploratory study. In K.-M., Frederiksen, S., Larsen, L. Bradley & S. Thouësny (Eds.), CALL for widening participation: short papers from EUROCALL 2020 (pp. 291-297). https://doi.org/10.14705/rpnet.2020.48.1203

-Conference Presentations-

Zhang, N., Ke, F., Dai, C.-P., Barrett, A., Bhowmik, S., West, L., Yuan, X. & Southerland, S. (2024, April). Understanding preservice teachers’ perceptions and experiences in an AI-empowered teaching simulation. American Educational Research Association (AERA) annual meeting, Philadelphia, USA.

Barrett, A., Ke, F., Dai, C.-P., Zhang, N., Bhowmik, S., West, L., Yuan, X. & Southerland, S. (2024, April). Teacher training in virtual-world simulations: Analyzing pre-service science teacher talk moves with AI-powered student agents. American Educational Research Association (AERA) annual meeting, Philadelphia, USA.

Zhang, N., Ke, F., Barrett, A. & Sokolikj, Z. (2024, April). Detecting learners’ frustration during gameplay using sequential pattern mining. American Educational Research Association (AERA) annual meeting, Philadelphia, USA.

Dai, C.-P., Ke, F., Zhang, N., Southerland, S., Barrett, A., Bhowmik, S., West, L. & Yuan, X. (2024, April). Preservice teachers’ emotions and ambitious teaching in virtual reality simulation with artificial intelligence-powered virtual humans. American Educational Research Association (AERA) annual meeting, Philadelphia, USA.

Barrett, A., Zhang, N. & Wei, S. (2023, October). Transforming perceptions on the immersive learning affordances of non-interactive media. Association for Educational Communications & Technology International Convention (AECT), Orlando, USA.

Dai, C.-P., Ke, F., Barrett, A., Zhang, N., West, L., Southerland, S., Bhowmik, S., & Yuan, X. (2023, October). Classroom dynamics and teaching practices with artificial intelligence virtual students in virtual reality. Association for Educational Communications & Technology International Convention (AECT), Orlando, FL.

Barrett, A., Zhang, N., Ke, F. & Sokolikj, Z. (2023, October). A correlation analysis of evidence-centered computational thinking behaviors from two subjects over one year. Association for Educational Communications & Technology International Convention (AECT), Orlando, USA.

Escalante, J., Pack, A., Carlson, M. & Barrett, A. (2023, September). How reliably can large language models use a holistic rubric to place English language learners based on writing? Artificial Intelligence Research in Applied Linguistics (AIRiAL) Conference, New York, USA.

Pack, A., Escalante, J., Carlson, M. & Barrett A. (2023, September). Exploring English Language Learners’ Preferences of AI- and Human Generated Written Corrective Feedback. Artificial Intelligence Research in Applied Linguistics (AIRiAL) Conference, New York, USA.

Barrett, A., Dai, C.-P., West, L., Bhowmik, S., Zhang, N. & Ke, F. (2023, August). Preservice teacher discourse with AI-integrated virtual students: A look at sentence function. The European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction (EARLI) 2023 Conference.

Zhang, N., Barrett, A., Ke, F., Sokolikj, Z. & Moon, J. (2023, August). Improving computational thinking for children with Autism in the virtual world. The European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction (EARLI) 2023 Conference.

Monteiro, D., Wang, A., Wang, L., Li, H., Barrett, A., Pack, A. & Liang, H.-N. (2023, June). Effects of audience familiarity on anxiety in a virtual reality public speaking training tool. WICEDxCinemotions 2023, Nantes, France.

Zhang, N., Barrett, A., Ke, F., Moon, J. & Sokolikj, Z. (2023, April). An evidence-centered model for computational thinking assessment: Longitudinal observations of autistic youths in virtual worlds. American Educational Research Association (AERA) annual meeting.

Zhang, N., Barrett, A., Ke, F., Moon, J. & Sokolikj, Z. (2023, March). An evidence-centered model for computational thinking assessment: Longitudinal observations of autistic youths in virtual worlds. Marvalene Hughes Research in Education Conference, Tallahassee, USA.

Barrett, A., Pack, A., Guo, Y. & Wang, N. (2022, June 23-25). Investigating the new wave of technology: Language learners’ acceptance of VR technology for learning Chinese characters. Psychology of Language Learning 4 (PLL4). Sydney, Canada & virtual.

Pack, A. Quaid, E. & Barrett, A. (2022, March 22-25). Virtual Reality a good fit for TESOL? Insights from ELLs. TESOL International Convention. Pittsburgh, USA.

Quaid, E. D., Barrett, A. J. & Pack, A. (2021, August 26). Evaluating VR system use for continuing support in university academic writing centres: An experiential approach. EAP Education and Practice Conference. University College London, U.K.

Barrett, A., Quaid, E., Pack, A. & Zhou, L. (2020, November 16-23). Technology acceptance model application for high-immersion virtual reality learning environments. JALT 2020 46th Annual International Conference. Virtual.

Quaid, E., Pack, A., Barrett, A. & Zhou, L. (2020, August 20-21). Learner Acceptance of a Virtual Reality Learning Environment for Learning Paragraph Writing Structure. EuroCALL 2020 online conference.

Pack, A. & Barrett, A. (2019, April 12-14). Painting in a Virtual World: How Virtual Reality Can Supplement EAP, BALEAP Conference: Innovation, Exploration and Transformation. Leeds, U.K.

Pack, A., & Barrett, A. (2019, April 12-14). Virtual Reality Learning Environments as Pedagogical Tools for English for Academic Purposes, BALEAP Conference: Innovation, Exploration and Transformation. Leeds, U.K.

Pack, A. & Barrett, A. (2019, January 12). How to use the Virtual Reality Language Learning Lab to teach academic writing structure, JALT: Kyoto x MAVR. Kyoto, Japan.

Pack, A., Liang, H.-N., & Barrett, A. (2018, August 16-18). Investigating the Use of Virtual Reality Technologies to Support the Learning of Academic English Essay Writing, GloCALL Conference. Suzhou, China.

Barrett, A. (2017, April 15). Communicative Games, Challenges and Opportunities in ELT Conference. Namangan, Uzbekistan.

Barrett, A. (2017, November 11). Building Quality Note-Taking Skills, English is Key to Dialogue TESOL Conference. Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Barrett, A., Kuchkarova, Y. (2016, June 16-18). Using Rubrics for Performance Assessment, KazTEA Conference. Oskemen, Kazakhstan.

Barrett, A., Sarimsakova, D. (2016, June 16-18). Learning a Lot in a Little Time, KazTEA Conference. Oskemen, Kazakhstan.

Barrett, A. (2016, December 10). Communicative Games, Central Asia ELF Program Conference. Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Barrett, A. (2014, October 23-24). Practical Techniques for Teaching Language, JET Program Skill Development Conference. Awaji, Japan.

Barrett, A. (2011, December 2). Interlanguage Pragmatics: implications of positive transfer, Biannual SFSU TESOL conference. San Francisco, California.

-Professional Service-

Editorial Review Board

  • International Journal of Computer-Assisted Language Learning and Teaching, 2022-Present
  • TESL Reporter, 2022

Review Activity

Journals
–IJHC: International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction (1)
–LLT: Language Learning & Technology (1)
– JCAL: Journal of Computer Assisted Learning (2)
–CALL: Computer Assisted Language Learning (6) *Top-10 reviewer, 2021
– ILE: Interactive Learning Environments (7)
–IJCALLT: International Journal of Computer Assisted Language Learning and Teaching (9)
– TESL Reporter (2)
–C&E: Computers and Education (1)

Conferences and Edited Volumes
-IGI Global (1)
– EuroCALL (3)
–ICLS: International Conference of the Learning Sciences (3)
– iLRN: International Conference of the Immersive Learning Research Network (4)
–EARLI: European Association for Research on Learning & Instruction (5)
–AECT: Association for Educational Communications & Technology (5)
–ICCE: International Conference on Computer in Education (3)

Committee Work

  • Student-Staff Liaison Committee, XJTLU, Chair
  • Teaching Centre Committee, XJTLU, Member
  • Department Learning and Teaching Committee, XJTLU, Member

-Honors & Awards-

-John and Clara McDonald Endowed Scholorship, Florida State University ($10,000), 2021
-Most Innovative Teachig Practice Award, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, 2020
-U.K. Higher Education Academy Fellowship, 2020
-Eagle Scout Award, Boy Scouts of America, 1998

-Travel Grants-

-Marvalene Hughes Research in Education Travel Award ($1,000), Florida State University, 2023
– The Congress of Graduate Students, ($600), Florida State University, 2023
-Instructional Systems and Learning Technologies Student Support Fund ($200), Florida State University, 2023
– The Congress of Graduate Students, ($500), Florida State University, 2023
-Instructional Systems and Learning Technologies Student Support Fund ($200), Florida State University, 2023
– The Congress of Graduate Students, ($300), Florida State University, 2023
-The Congress of Graduate Students, ($200), Florida State University, 2022
– Mixed and Augmented Reality SIG, ($600), Japan Association of Language Teachers, 2019
-Teaching Conference Fund, ($2,000), Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, 2018

-Research Support-

Principal Investigator: Investigating the Use of Virtual Reality Technologies to Support Public Speaking and Giving Presentations in English for Academic Purposes Environments. RMB 36,000 (US $5,350). Teaching Development Fund 18/19-R17-115. 2019-2020.

Principal Investigator: Leveraging Collaborative VR paint programs for the teaching and learning of Chinese characters. RMB 6,435 (US $960). Summer Undergraduate Research Fund 201952. 2019.

Co-Investigator: Investigating the Use of Virtual Reality Technologies to Support the Learning of Academic English Essay Writing. RMB 50,000 (US $7,250). Teaching Development Fund 17/18-R15-103. 2017-2019

-Professional Affiliations-

Current

-Association for Educational Communications & Technology (AECT), 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
– International Society of the Learning Sciences (ISLS), 2022, 2023
-American Educational Research Association (AERA), 2022, 2023
– Junior Researchers of The European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction (JURE), 2023

Past

– Immersive Learning Research Network (iLRN), 2022
-TESOL International Association (TESOL), 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
– British Association of Lecturers of English for Academic Purposes (BALEAP), 2019
-Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), 2022

Download as PDF: Alex Barrett CV