The LED research group welcomes Jessica Bates! Jessica is a doctoral student in Educational Studies specializing in Learning Technologies. She brings such valuable experience and passion for creating virtual learning experiences to our research group.

Jessica Bates

Jessica currently holds the position of Program Engagement and Curriculum Coordinator, along with serving as the Interim School Support Coordinator at Virtual Virginia. In this capacity, she collaborates with her team to create high-quality online instructional materials for K-12 curriculum, Career and Technical Education, Fine Arts, World Languages, Advanced Placement, Adult Education, and Dual Enrollment courses for Virginia Public Schools. Additionally, she provides support to school divisions throughout Virginia, offering digital resources and professional development opportunities for educators. Jessica is also a current and active member of the Virtual Learning Leadership Alliance.

Jessica has a B.S.Ed. degree from George Mason University and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, Administration and Supervision from the University of Virginia in 2013. Following her graduation, Jessica embarked on a career in teaching and played a pivotal role in developing online curricula and virtual courses for Virginia Public Schools. In 2020, she assumed the role of Elementary and Middle School Curriculum Supervisor for Virtual Virginia, a program under the Virginia Department of Education. Since then, she has contributed to the design and development of over 150 online courses and curricular materials for Virginia Public Schools.

Jessica’s academic and research interests revolve around instructional design and development, the effective integration of technology in teaching and learning, and exploring the factors that drive learner motivation and engagement within digital learning environments.

Jessica also spends her time enjoying exercise and attending her three children’s sporting activities, Holloway, 9, Hattie, 6, and Hartwell, 3. You can find the entire family at the Ohio State’s Men’s Volleyball matches in the Spring supporting her husband, Hudson Bates, the Associate Head Coach for OSU Men’s Volleyball.

The LED research group welcomes Batzaya (Zack) Batsaikhan! Zack is a doctoral student in Educational Studies specializing in Learning Technologies. With a rich background in product design, Human-Computer Interaction, and a passion for creating meaningful change, Zack brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our research group.

Batzaya (Zack) Batsaikhan

Zack is originally from Mongolia, and he holds an M.Sc. in Human-Computer Interaction from Iowa State University and a B.I.T in Information Technology from the Mongolian University of Science and Technology. Over the span of a decade, Zack has built and managed numerous successful innovative startups as well as designed and implemented human-centered digital products and services. His interests expand to developing an interdisciplinary approach to tackle complex social problems through design, technology, education, and entrepreneurship.

Zack has been featured in Forbes Mongolia’s 30 Under 30 list, was a Fulbright Scholar, Rumsfeld Fellow, LEAD Mongolia & Bhutan Fellow, and World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers alumnus. During U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s visit to Mongolia, Zack led his interview and hosted his visit with other Mongolian young entrepreneurs.

His academic and research interests include entrepreneurship in learning technologies, learner experience design, online learning design and development, applications of emerging technologies in education (AI/AR/VR), and human-computer interaction (HCI/UX/UI/IxD).

When Zack is not working, he enjoys traveling, climbing mountains, taking photographs, and spending time with his family.