Thomas Ruberto

Faculty Associate,

School Of Earth and Space Exploration

Mail code: 6004

Campus: Tempe
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Long Bio

My research involves designing, producing, assessing, and implementing immersive, interactive virtual field trips (iVFTs) for place-based education (PBE) and then evaluating their effectiveness as a learning modality. iVFTs for PBE can level the education playing field in the geosciences and other disciplines by providing students across the globe with access to pedagogically rich sites while mitigating the barriers of time, cost, distance, safety, equity, and accessibility. Of added interest is the importance of place-based learning in geoscience and other disciplines, and how to effectively transfer the power of in-person place-based learning and its associated sense of place gains to the digital realm. Additionally, my research examines ways to decentralize the virtual field trip (VFT) production process by creating workflows and best practices that empower students and teachers to produce their own VFTs.

Education

PhD Geological Sciences & Geoscience Education from ASU - graduated May 2023

M.S. Geological Sciences from ASU - graduated August 2018

B.S. Earth & Space Exploration (Geological Sciences) from ASU - graduated May 2016

Associate of Science from Estrella Mountain Community College - graduated May 2014

Associate of Arts from Estrella Mountain Community College - graduated May 2014

Curriculum Vitae

Images

Research Interests

My research involves designing, producing, implementing, and the testing of virtual field trips as a learning method. If proven effective, immersive, interactive virtual field trips could level the education playing field in the geosciences and other disciplines by providing students across the globe with access to educationally rich sites while mitigating the barriers of time, cost, safety, distance, and ability. As we face the perfect storm of climate change, population growth, and resource depletion, virtual field trips can teach the importance of preserving the Earth’s fragile environment that has allowed our species to thrive. There is no Planet B.

Research Group

I am a proud member of ETX (Education Through eXploration) at ASU and work with the iVFT (immersive virtual field trips) and R&E (research and education) groups.

Research Activity

My research activity involves removing the barriers to entry to virtual field trip production for students and teachers wishing to build their own digital learning experiences. I am also interested in how the VFT production process impacts a person's sense of place.

Courses

2024 Summer

Course Number	Course Title
GLG 102	Intro Geology II (Historical)
GLG 104	Introduction Geology II: Lab
GLG 102	Intro Geology II (Historical)
GLG 104	Introduction Geology II: Lab

2024 Spring

Course Number	Course Title
SES 124	History Earth&Solar System Lab
SES 124	History Earth&Solar System Lab
SES 122	History of Earth&Solar System

2023 Fall

Course Number	Course Title
GLG 101	Intro to Geology I (Physical)

Presentations

Fall 2023 - GLG 101 Introductory Geology

Spring 2023 - SES 124 History of the Earth and Solar System Lab

Fall 2022 - SES 123 Earth, Solar System and Universe Lab

Spring 2022 - SES 124 History of the Earth and Solar System Lab

Fall 2021 - SES 123 Earth, Solar System and Universe Lab

Summer 2021 - GLG 108 Water Planet TA

Summer 2021 - Virtual Field Trip Instructor for K-12 Teacher Professional Development

Spring 2021 - GLG 103 Introductory Geology Lab Head TA

Spring 2021 - GLG 103 Introductory Geology Lab

Fall 2020 - SES 123 Earth, Solar System and Universe Lab

Summer 2020 - Virtual Field Trip Instructor for K-12 Teacher Professional Development

Spring 2020 - GLG 103 Introductory Geology Lab

Fall 2019 - SES 494/598 Creating Virtual Field Trips for Teaching Earth and Space Sciences

Summer 2019 - Digital Media Summer Camp - Walter Cronkite School of Journalism

Spring 2019 - SOS 494/598 Virtual Field Trips for Global Development

Fall 2018 - GLG 103 Introductory Geology Lab

Consulting

Founded Interactive Marketing Technologies, Inc. in 1992 as a content development and marketing firm. Content development services include web design and programming, graphic design and layout, writing, photography, videography, audio recording, and entertainment services. Specialities include virtual reality and immersive content such as gigapans, 3D photos and video, 180°/360° photos and video, 180°/360° 3D photos and video, as well as virtual scans and digital twins using the Matterport Pro 2 camera and the Leica BLK360 laser scanner. Rich media is developed for computers, tablets, smart TVs, smartphones, and VR platforms such as Google Cardboard, Oculus Quest, and HTC Vive. Content marketing consists of social media management, SEO services, email campaign management, and digital advertising. IMT Inc. also offers training in many of the above listed areas.

Board

Current

- Interactive Marketing Technologies, Inc.

Past:

- Southwest Media & Publishing, Inc.

- Visionary Computer Systems, Inc.

Expertise Areas

Climate Change

Interactive Media

Earth Systems and Climate Science

Science Education

Digital Educational Content

Digital Storytelling