The MIT Learning Engineering and Practice Group (LEAP Group), led by Dr. John Liu, applies design and systems principles to solving challenges in learning and develops learning experiences to better meet the increasing demand for STEM skills in tomorrow’s workforce. Our research-to-practice approach includes the focus areas of mixed reality, simulations and haptics, educational technology, MOOC and blended learning, and curriculum development to enhance and scale engineering education and training. We are a group in MIT’s Mechanical Engineering Department.

Recent News

Sep 6, 2023

MIT News and MIT Open Learning highlight J-WEL's recent award to the LEAP group for VR cognitive architecture for learning hands-on skills.

Jun 27, 2023

Prof. John Hart and Dr. John Liu have been awarded a capital equipment grant from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative's Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2) and its Innovation Institute: "Digital Manufacturing of Advanced Aerospace, Defense,...

Jun 4, 2023

SAP Insights interviewed Dr. John Liu for two articles: "Advanced Manufacturing Skills Workers Will Need" and "Hunting for Advanced Manufacturing Talent: 4 Moves"

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Get Involved

2023 Aug update: I am looking for a digital fellow/postdoc in mechanical engineering with mechanics knowledge, job posting here. I am also looking for a postdoc in engineering education/workforce, an instructional designer and/or learning engineer, a Unity software developer, and a program manager. Contact me (Dr. John Liu) with a statement of interest and your CV!

We’re looking for students, postdocs, and instructors who care deeply about learning and are passionate about technology! We have a wide variety of opportunities in our current projects centered on learning enabled by AR/VR, haptics and visualization, learner crowdsourcing, educational tools in MOOC platforms, and data analytics.