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 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,
Read moreU.S. News raises NIU College of Ed score in annual online grad program rankings
The NIU College of Education remains in the country’s Top 10 among U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings of online graduate programs. NIU ties for ninth with Pennsylvania State University-World Campus, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Virginia (Curry).
Read moreWell-prepared ETRA students present research at MWERA, AECT conferences
Several graduate students from the NIU College of Education – mostly members of the ETRA-GSA – traveled to and presented at professional conferences that began Oct. 25. First, however, many of them gathered Oct. 22 in Gabel 222 to rehearse their presentations
Read moreEducational Research and Evaluation teams with Honors on direct-admission
NIU Honors students of all majors now have guaranteed admission to the Master of Science program in Educational Research and Evaluation. The unique opportunity also includes a reimbursement of the Graduate Application Fee and a waiver of the GRE General Test. “In
Read moreAward recipient Kyung Kim to receive recognition at international conference
Kyung Kim, assistant professor in the Department of Educational Technology, Research and Assessment, will receive three prestigious awards from the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT). AECT will hold its annual international conference from Oct. 23 to Oct. 27 in Kansas
Read moreETRA summer course enables students to explore, tap research power of UX lab
As word spread around the NIU campus about the new and rare User Experience Lab in the Department of Educational Technology, Research and Assessment, interest in its possibilities grew immediately. Brainwave monitors! Remote eye trackers! Mobile eye trackers! “Students were contacting me,”
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