That the world is changing rapidly comes as no surprise to anyone who’s dialed a rotary phone attached to a wall or wearily rose from a comfortable couch to change the channel. But the relentless and breakneck pace at which technology is
Read moreLaura Ruth Johnson travels to Taiwan to see community research in action
Some of the world’s greatest wisdom is stored only in the minds of people who’ve inherited this information from the generations that have come before them. However, much traditional research overlooks this grassroots knowledge and expertise in favor of “scientific” knowledge gathered
Read moreTech leaders discuss cyber challenges, benefits at Community Learning Series
Panelists at the NIU College of Education’s Fall 2019 Community Learning Series on cybersecurity could not have been clearer. We are under constant attack, to the tune of 1,500 malicious acts every minute. The attackers are well-financed, heavily resourced and, unfortunately, always
Read moreCommunity Learning Series will explore cybersecurity during Nov. 5 discussion
Despite the constant pleas to “put down those phones,” technology has become almost inescapable. “Technology is a part of our lives, and we’re using our technology on a daily basis,” says Wei-Chen Hung, chair of the Department of Educational Technology, Research and
Read moreLoyal Huskie R.J. Gravel thrives in career, embodies ‘definition of lifelong learning’
Growing up in suburban Des Plaines, R.J. Gravel wanted to live a life in song. He enrolled at NIU in the fall of 2001 to major in music education and vocal performance, but something happened before classes began in August that would
Read moreLearn-IT explores future of teaching tech
Science fiction fans call May 4 “Star Wars Day” – as in, “May the Fourth Be With You” – but that particular Saturday this year centered on science reality for 120 regional teachers and instructional technology specialists. NIU’s Department of Educational Technology,
Read moreETRA graduate students join Fatih Demir to research brain engagement of readers
Researchers in NIU’s Department of Educational Technology, Research and Assessment are preparing to study whether – and how – readers respond differently to “hard” news reports and emotional stories. Fatih Demir, an assistant professor of Instructional Technology, will use eye-tracking systems and
Read moreSteve Builta departs for new challenges training, coordinating disaster responders
Three months after his 1984 graduation from Hononegah High School, Steve Builta arrived at NIU with plans to become a school psychologist. Even though he had enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, where he eventually would earn a bachelor’s
Read moreNIU to improve math content knowledge for teachers from Rockford, Sauk Valley
Northern Illinois University has received a $1.6 million grant from the Illinois State Board of Education to provide professional development in math pedagogy to 160 teachers from Rockford and the Sauk Valley area. Grant dollars also will fund the development of online
Read moreSynch your stopwatches: Idea Exchange set to foster sharing of teaching strategies
Two minutes could change your world – or, at least, your teaching. Participants in the NIU College of Education’s first Idea Exchange, scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, March 29, will have the unique opportunity to share their best practices for
Read moreRockford sixth-graders help Hsu study makerspaces, scientific argumentation
Six sixth-graders at Rockford Environmental Science Academy are exploring Next Generation Science Standards – and having a blast at the same time. Pi-Sui Hsu, an associate professor in the Department of Educational Technology, Research and Assessment, is making weekly travels to Rockford
Read moreHave passport, will travel: Tom Smith circles globe to present, learn, browse
Tom Smith really gets around. In November, it was Taiwan. The Presidential Teaching Professor in the Department of Educational Technology, Research and Assessment (ETRA) made the journey to Asia to participate in the Taiwan Educational Research Association (TERA) conference in Kaohsiung, Taiwan,
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