Primary Investigator

Dr. Richard E. Ferdig:

Dr. Richard E. Ferdig is the RCET Research Professor and Professor of Instructional Technology at Kent State University. He works within the Research Center for Educational Technology and also the School Lifespan Development & Educational Sciences. He earned his PhD in educational psychology from Michigan State University. At Kent State University, his research, teaching, and service focuses on combining cutting-edge technologies with current pedagogic theory to create innovative learning environments. His research interests include online education, gaming, and what he labels a deeper psychology of technology. In addition to publishing and presenting nationally and internationally, Ferdig has also been funded to study the impact of emerging technologies.

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Team Members

Dr. Erik W. Black:

Dr. Black’s research blends contemporary psychological and pedagogical theory in the analysis of quantitative data derived from technology rich environments. He is a doctoral fellow at the University of Florida in the educational technology program.

Ms. Kim Mulkey:

Ms. Mulkey has spent her career in technology and education. In 2007, Ms. Mulkey retired from BellSouth where she was responsible for the technology initiatives for the BellSouth Foundation. Previously in her career with BellSouth, she held positions such as industry manager for education responsible for the development and management of this market, application software analyst, designer and programmer; and sales support representative to large business customers. Before coming to BellSouth, she was a high school teacher in Georgia. Ms. Mulkey is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. She has served as a board member for Consortium for School Networking, Partnership for 21st Century Skills, NC Center for Math, Science and Technology Board Member.

Mr. Kashif Imran:

Mr. Imran is an expert in technology implementation and design in online education. In addition to professional certifications from Microsoft and Cisco, he holds a masters degree in telecommunications from the University of Maryland and a masters degree in computer science from the University of Florida.

Mr. Nathaniel Poling:

Mr. Poling is a first year doctoral student in the UF educational technology program. He is interested in researching the wide-ranging implications of virtual worlds and massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs) as they pertain to education and training.

Mr. Clint P. George:

Mr. George is a graduate student from the Department of Computer and Informations Science and Engineering, doing a masters in Computer Engineering. He is a technology expert in the design, development, and maintenance of the web systems.

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Project Collaborators

Dr. Cathy Cavanaugh:

Dr. Cavanaugh is an Associate Professor of educational technology in the School of Teaching and Learning, where she teaches in the areas of instructional design, distance education, and technology integration in classrooms. Her funded research includes studies of classroom technology and professional development in Florida schools, effective practices in virtual schools, online science materials, and online course design. Her primary research interests are in indicators of quality in distance education, service learning in teacher education, and teacher leadership with classroom technology.

Dr. Zhihui Fang:

Dr. Fang is a Professor of Literacy and Language education in the School of Teaching and Learning at UF where he also coordinates the Reading Education Program. His research focuses on three related areas: (1) children’s language development during the transition from emergent to conventional literacy, (2) the language demands of content area reading and writing, and (3) the preparation of reading/literacy teachers as informed, reflective professionals. These strands of research evolved out of his academic training as an applied linguist, his work with classroom teachers and students in PreK-12, and his experience preparing preservice teachers. A theme that is evident in his scholarship is an emphasis on language and its role in literacy learning and teaching.

Dr. Troy Sadler:

Dr. Sadler is an Assistant Professor in the UF School of Teaching and Learning. His research program focuses on three interrelated themes of science education: socioscientific issues (SSI), scientific argumentation, and situativity theory. SSI are complex social issues with conceptual, procedural or technological associations with science such as genetic engineering, biotechnology, and global climate change. He explores how students negotiate these contentious issues and how the issues can be meaningfully situated in classroom science learning experiences. He is also interested in how students collaboratively construct understandings through discourse and argumentation. Finally, he explores situativity theory as a framework for analyzing classroom practice and enhancing science learning experiences.

Dr. Lindsay Thompson:

Dr. Thompson, MD MS, is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Epidemiology and Health Policy at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. She trained at Columbia University and Dartmouth Medical School and her areas of research interest include neonatal outcomes, assessments of children with special health care needs, children and the media, and general pediatrics. Several research projects have collectively pointed to the recurrent theme of geographical variation as a source of disparities in health. She is particularly interested in the effects of new media on enhancing the lives of children with special health care needs and those at high-risk for poor health and educational outcomes.

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Former Team Members

Dr. Meredith DiPietro:

Dr. DiPietro’s research incorporates theories of psychology and pedagogy to investigate the integration of digital technologies into online and off-line learning environments to support student learning. She received her PhD in curriculum and instruction with a focus in educational technology from the University of Florida in 2008.

Mr. Jeff Boyer:

Mr. Boyer is a visiting lecturer and doctoral student in the educational technology program at the University of Florida. His research focuses on incorporating video games into K-12 curriculum.

Ms. Megan Preston:

Ms. Preston is a graduate student in the college of education at the University of Florida.

Ms. Natalie Meza:

Ms. Meza is a graduate student in the college of education at the University of Florida.

Ms. Megha Kokane:

Ms. Kokane has significant experience in data base design and optimization. She is a graduate student in computer science at the University of Florida.