IDT Professor, Jane Eberle, Retires

Dr. Jane Eberle joined the ranks of Professor Emeritus Faculty at Emporia State University (ESU), when she retired this past January.  Dr. Eberle joined the Instructional Design and Technology (IDT) Department in the Teachers College as an Assistant Professor in 2003.  She taught Instructional Technology for Educators to undergraduate education majors and online graduate courses in visual literacy, assistive technology and Universal Design for Learning (UDL).  Previous to coming to ESU, she spent fifteen years of teaching where she incorporated many uses of technology into her teaching.  Her research interests include effective integration of technology in the classroom, universal design and assistive technology, and visual literacy.  Highlighted publications include “Heutagogy: it isn’t your mother’s pedagogy any more” published in the National Social Science Journal, “What are we waiting for? Universal design for learning should begin yesterday” also published in the National Social Science Journal, and the book I Do and I Learn: Integrating Technology through Collaborative Project-Based Learning, which she used for her undergraduate instructional technology courses.  Throughout her professorship, Dr. Eberle had over 16 publications and gave over 40 presentations.

In addition to her exceptional teaching and scholarship, Dr. Eberle had a strong record of service to her profession, university, college, and department.  She served on the program committees for the European Conference on Social Media (ECSM) and the European Conference on E-Learning (ECEL).  She also served as a Member-at-Large for the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) Research and Theory Division and Vice President of the Phi Delta Kappa Flint Hills Chapter.  Serving ESU, she was an active member of the Faculty Senate, College and Departmental Faculty Recognition Committees, and many other committees, often serving as chairperson.  Her Teachers College colleagues truly benefited from her service coordinating the holiday and patio parties!

While Dr. Eberle will be leaving her role as Professor, she remains a great friend and mentor to her colleagues and former students.  Thank you, Dr. Eberle, and Congratulations!

Instructional Design and Technology Alum, Travis True, Wins International "Making IT Happen" Award

Emporia State University, Instructional Design and Technology alum, Travis True was honored with the coveted Making IT Happen award for his contribution to the successful integration of technology in education. The Making IT Happen award is provided by the International Society for Technology.

The Making IT Happen award honors outstanding educators and leaders who demonstrate extraordinary commitment, leadership, courage and persistence in improving digital learning opportunities for students. Since its inception in 1995 more than 500 educators from around the world have received the award.

“Making IT Happen honorees make unique contributions to advancing the use of digital technology to inspire learning and teaching,” said ISTE CEO Brian Lewis. “Their significant accomplishments all further ISTE’s vision of a world in which all learners thrive, achieve and contribute.” 

Travis True is a 2000 graduate of Sterling College and earned his MS in Instructional Design and Technology from Emporia State in 2007.  Travis has been with Topeka Public Schools since 2004 and is the Curriculum & Technology Coordinator. In this role, Travis has helped Topeka Public Schools with its 1:1 Chromebook initiative by providing professional development to staff to facilitate the use of Google Apps for Education.

Successful integration of educational technology requires a common passion, initiative and pledge that can best be summarized by the Making IT Happen Formula of Success: 

1.     Educators and leaders who apply available technology now

2.     Move forward and don’t look back

3.     See students as real people

4.     Teach through relationships by inspiring, encouraging, and nurturing

5.     Recognize that further change is necessary, but understand that it is a process

6.     Realize that teacher empowerment is the key element to technology integration

7.     Expect success 

8.     Motivate through awareness and access to information

About Making IT Happen

Founded in 1995, the Making IT Happen program highlights the dramatic role educators have on the learning process by using technology and rewards those individuals for their commitment and innovation. To date, more than 500 individuals have been awarded this recognition through ISTE and its affiliates. The impact of this program has been felt at hundreds of conferences around the world. The focus of the Making IT Happen program is on current practitioners, highlighting their significant contribution and encouraging them to continue their work.