Transitioning to a new role

Altgeld HallAs I approach fifteen years at Northern Illinois University (NIU), I’ve accepted a new opportunity to become the university’s first Executive Director of Extended Learning and Chief Online Learning Officer. As I pause to look back on my path to this point, I’m reminded of what a fantastic journey I’ve had and I’m filled with excitement for what lies ahead.

I joined NIU in 2004 as Online Technologies Coordinator with the Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center, where I was responsible for developing and offering in-depth training programs and consultations on teaching with technology and online teaching.

Just prior to joining NIU I had completed an online Master’s Degree in Education in Curriculum and Instruction and it was through that experience that I fell in love with online education. As I finished that program, I was asked by a mentor of mine who was interested in launching some undergraduate certificate programs online to share my experiences and help his institution, University of Valley Forge, take the first steps toward developing their online program offerings.

After having been in this role at NIU for two years, I was offered the position of Assistant Director in 2006, where I was then tasked with directly overseeing all faculty training and professional development offered by the center for more than 1,500 faculty participants annually.

It was during this time that I continued to pursue my academic interests in instructional design and online curriculum development and I earned a Ph.D. in Education with a specialization in Instructional Design for Online Learning.

I took advantage of every opportunity to teach, design and develop online courses, and engage in scholarship and service within online education and faculty development. I taught instructional design and educational technology courses as an adjunct for a number of institutions before being invited in 2016 to join the faculty of the Department of Educational Technology, Research and Assessment at NIU where I currently have joint faculty appointment as Assistant Professor of Instructional Technology and develop and teach courses in instructional design and educational technology, advise and supervise students, serve in department, college, and university committees, and pursue research and scholarly activities.

As accolades came along, I accepted invitations that resulted to share my experience and expertise designing and developing blended and online courses and programs with faculty at numerous institutions across the country and was privileged to have been invited to lead faculty development seminars on blended and online course design, as well as teaching with technology topics.

I was also invited to serve on a number of professional organizations within academic technology and online education, including serving on the steering committee, program chair, and assistant conference chair for the Online Learning Consortium Emerging Technology for Online Learning International Symposium (now called OLC Innovate), as well as an inaugural member of the advisory board for the National Council for Online Education, among others.

In late 2013, due to new presidential leadership at NIU and a massive institutional reorganization, the founding Director of Faculty Development was appointed to a new position as Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and I was asked to switch roles and accepted the position as Director of Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center. In this position that I’ve held for the past 5 years, I’ve overseen all operations of Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center at NIU.

I’ve recently accepted the invitation from the Executive Vice President and Provost to lead NIU’s online and off-campus education efforts, which includes providing direction and oversight to restructured faculty development and instructional design functions in an expanded Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center, as well as strategic leadership and long-range vision for the development and delivery of academic credit-bearing online and off-campus courses and programs.

I’m eager to begin this new role and blessed to continue working with such an amazing team already in place as well as to new collaborations with faculty, staff, and leadership from across the university and outside as together we move online and off-campus education forward. Much more is yet to come!

Top 30 Technologists, Transformers & Trailblazers of 2016

Top 30 Technologists, Transformers & Trailblazers of 2016

I was honored to learn that I have been named one of the Top 30 Technologists, Transformers & Trailblazers of 2016 by the Center for Digital Education (CDE). Each year, CDE recognizes K-20 education leaders who have transformed learning through the innovative use of technology in its annual Top 30 awards program and publication. Recognizing the Top 30 Technologists, Transformers and Trailblazers across America, CDE aims to honor pioneers in education technology and showcase the accomplishments and best practices of award winners. Nominations are judged on:

  • Efforts to improve education with digital tools
  • Impact of those efforts on student achievement; the institution; and the local, state and national scene
  • Creativity and initiative to make change
  • Display of leadership qualities

More details and a the complete listing of award winners are available at www.centerdigitaled.com/top30.

Educator Preview for Blackboard Learn Ultra Now Available

Blackboard Learn

With feedback from users, Blackboard is building a new user experience called “Ultra” for both learners and educators that is more modern, personalized, and intuitive. The focus has been to zero in to improve the most-used features and significantly reduce the number of clicks per task.

Blackboard has announced its new Educator Preview where instructors can test drive the new Blackboard Learn with the Ultra experience. In the Educator Preview you’ll see a new, easy to use navigation as well as two course types to play around in.

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  • The Original Course has all of the features you’re familiar with from Blackboard Learn today.
  • The Ultra Course leverages Blackboard’s new design and makes it easier than ever to build and teach great courses.

To get started, simply visit preview.blackboard.com and click register.

Get Started Now

 

 

For more information, email educatorpreview@blackboard.com

Blackboard Launches Community Site Beta at #BbWorld15

Bb Community Site

Just in time for BbWorld 2015, Blackboard has launched a beta phase of a new community platform at blackboard.jiveon.com. The Beta is rolling out with some great features, allowing users to locate information, submit community questions, share best practices and easily engage and collaborate with peers. Some valuable enhancements are coming in the next few months, like single sign-on, improvements in visual integration and cross-site search and navigation.

Blackboard is seeking feedback and suggestions from client users to shape the development of the community site for a Q3 full launch. By joining the beta you will be invited to participate in future usability tests that will be used to ensure the content published and created is in line with community needs and expectations. These requests for feedback will come in various formats: focus groups, discussions, polls, surveys and direct outreach. Any and all feedback is welcome!

I’ve signed-up for the community site beta and look forward in the coming days to becoming more familiar with the platform, you’ll find me here. Let’s connect!

BbWorld 2015 Live – catch all the #BbWorld15 keynotes and many sessions

BbWorld 2015 Live

In case you missed it, Blackboard for the first time is offering an opportunity to catch all the BbWorld keynotes, product roadmaps, and many of the other sessions by registering at bbworldlive.com

The schedule of live streamed sessions is available here.