Hello!
I'm Dr. Sonia Tiwari. I design learning experiences for children informed by research.
I earned my PhD in the Learning, Design, and Technology from Penn State University in 2022. I've previously worked as a Game Designer and UX Designer in CA, and taught Toy and Game Design at National Institute of Design, India. Currently, I teach design & research at California College of the Arts in San Francisco (Interaction Design MDes, Game Design BFA programs) and Penn State World Campus (Learning, Design and Technology MA/PhD programs). I also volunteer as a Play Ambassador for the Genius of Play (American Toy Association).
I've lived across multiple cities in India & the US. The question "Where are you from?" often confuses me, because I've felt a great sense of belonging to every place I've lived in! San Francisco Bay Area is my home-base for now :)
Research Interests
As a learning scientist, I study how children engage with educational content, through the research lenses of Learning Sciences, Early Childhood Education, and Human-Computer Interaction. I try to understand how children learn in informal environments using educational media and maker activities. I use these insights to inform design of creative learning resources for the future.
Some key areas of my research are:
- Learning Experience Design (LXD) for children's educational products such as educational toys and games, websites, mobile apps, interactive narrative media, and LMS
- Transmedia Making for children, or using educational media as an inspiration for follow-up maker activities to extend children’s online learning offline
- Increasing learner engagement for children through design of illustrated books, tangible and digital toys and games, educational videos, infographics, AR experiences
Specifically, I'm exploring these three research projects in 2023-24
- design and development of kid-friendly virtual influencers
- ethical co-creation with generative AI for children’s media
- encouraging maker culture through the design of sustainable toys
The challenge that makes me stronger at design
Growing up Dyslexic, Design Industry has been a great place to express my thoughts and ideas visually! Dyslexia also helped me develop the habit of over-preparing, organizing and simplifying complex information in order to learn smoothly - which comes in handy as a researcher.
Who am I outside work?
Besides LX/UX design and research, I love sketching, sewing and comedy writing. I love cuddling with my Cavapoo puppy, Ava! I'm known to bring up '30 Rock' references in my everyday conversations, which I think is one of the best shows ever! Sitcoms have helped me laugh my way through many difficult times - perhaps this is why I embrace humor in my everyday life!
Keep in touch, maybe?
I'm active on Linkedin: I write articles, share actionable ideas, and offer consultations related to design and research for children's educational products. Let's connect!
