I am a 5th-year Ph.D. candidate in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) dept. at MIT with a research focus in Human-Computer Interaction (with a minor in Brain and Cognitive Science). My research is advised by Prof. Stefanie Mueller (MIT CSAIL) and Prof. Kayla DesPortes (NYU).
My Ph.D. research is at the intersection of system design and learning sciences, specifically focused on building systems for self-learning of skills, such as motor skills, fabrication skills, and maker skills. I have also worked on interdisciplinary projects in design and XR systems at the Meta Reality Labs as a Research Scientist Intern (2022).
I am part of the EECS Rising Stars cohort (2022-23) and a recipient of the Meta (Facebook) Ph.D. Research Fellowship (2022-24) and the MIT Edwin S. Webster Graduate Fellowship (2018). My research is supported by several grants, including two National Science Foundation (NSF Career, NSF Small) grants, three MIT Integrated Learning Initiative (1, 2, 3) grants, and a J-WEL Education Innovation grant. I am also a SERC scholar (2022) and a Grace Hopper scholar (2018).
Prior to starting my Ph.D. , I received a dual master's degree in EECS (MS) and Architecture (SMArchS computation) from MIT (2017), in addition to masters (MSc) in Emergent Technology and Design (EmTech) from the AA School of Architecture (2011). Besides academic research, I have worked in the industry as a computational designer in London, Singapore, and Bern, and as a licensed architect in Mumbai, where I also co-led my design firm, ArchitextureBuro.
email: dishita[at]mit[dot]edu
office: 32 Vassar St, Cambridge, MA 02139 (Map)
CV [PDF] | Google Scholar | LinkedIn | Twitter | TEDx Talk | Portfolio (PDF)
In the last decade, the field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) has made significant strides in designing systems that support the learning of physical skills. These systems aim to lower the entry barrier for beginners and provide support in acquiring skills such as motor skills, fabrication, circuit prototyping, and design. However, there is a need to reorient the design of these systems around the learner, the educator, and the learning processes instead of centering them solely around enabling technologies. My research, at the intersection of system design, learning sciences, and technologies, aims to challenge this techno-centric approach by designing learner-centric HCI systems for skill learning.
One approach to support autodidactic learning is through adaptive learning, which involves adapting the difficulty of training tasks according to the learner's skill levels. By maintaining the difficulty at an optimal challenge point, learners have the highest potential for skill acquisition. In my research, I have utilized the framework of adaptive learning to design physical tools that support the learning of motor skills. User studies showed that adaptive learning led to statistically significant higher learning gains compared to static and manually adaptive methods. I am expanding this work for skill learning in augmented reality to enhance the learners' performances by adapting task difficulty in real time.
[Under Submission]
Reflection is a powerful learning tool that allows learners to analyze successful and unsuccessful attempts at a task, leading to a deeper understanding and improved learning outcomes. To leverage the potential of reflection for maker-skill learning, I am developing a toolkit for experts and educators to design reflection exercises for novice learners in makerspaces. This toolkit facilitates the integration of reflection prompts during fabrication activities, sensing user activities, recording reflections, and analyzing data on the learning stages. I am also extending this idea to augmented reality environments, where learners can engage in reflection-based learning through immersive experiences.
In journal for Educational Technology Research and Development - Special issue on makerspaces (ETRD'23)
DOI | PDF
Games have proven to be engaging and effective tools for teaching various subjects to young learners. However, their potential for teaching fabrication skills, such as laser cutting and 3D printing, has not been fully explored. To address this, I have developed a framework for integrating fabrication events within existing video games. This framework utilizes computer vision techniques to detect and tag fabrication events, generating fabrication files for game objects. Through user studies, I have demonstrated the potential of using games to make the learning of fabrication skills engaging and enjoyable for young learners.
Can creative thinking be computational? Investigating aspects of human intelligence that enable creativity.
PDF | Project
Using machine learning to automate the mundane parts of architecture drafting for increased efficiency.
Using sensor based gloves to track glass blower artist's gestures during creation of an artifact
PDF | Project
Building computational models of social cognition and visual communication
PDF | Project
Fabricating a 2-axis sketching tool and exploring sketching techniques
PDF | Project
Studying the neuroscience of spatial cognition in architectural design
PDF | Project
Using irregular Tensegrity habitable structures in slums of Mumbai
PDF | Project
Using a generative algorithm is explore the design space of irregular tensegrity systems
Project
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“… you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future…”
I am always looking for research and entrepreneurial opportunities related to design, emerging technologies, or HCI. Looking to connect with other curious minds to initiate innovative projects!
Contact: dishita[at]mit[dot]edu