Principal Investigators
Instructional systems design and education technology integration focusing on the systemic use and impact of emerging technologies on teaching and life-long learning.
Technology integration in schools, social-cultural and psychological impact of technology, technology in informal learning settings, emerging technologies for education, and technology supported subject learning.
Educational assessment and psychometrics methods including EFA/CFA, DIF analysis, and reliability; statistical modeling on categorical data.
Online learning mechanism; engagement with emerging technologies; technology integration; design, development, and evaluation.
Consulting Faculty
Research focus:
Role of self-regulated learning in the acquisition of a second language, with a focus on community college students studying a language online.
Christopher Hromalik is Professor of Spanish and Coordinator of Spanish and French in the World Languages Department at Onondaga Community College. He is also the Chair of the ACTFL Distance Learning Special Interest Group. He has been invited to present on the use of digital technology in the language classroom on numerous occasions since 2007 and he has been a regular presenter for the Basic Online Language Design and Delivery (BOLDD) workshops since 2015. From 2016-2019, he served as the Faculty Coordinator and lead Instructional Designer for the Universal Design for Learning Academy, which was funded as part of the Onondaga Pathways to Careers project through a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy. He has published on his work with the Universal Design for Learning Academy and he has given presentations and conducted trainings for faculty, staff, and administrators on topics such as how to create accessible digital instructional materials and how to apply the Universal Design for Learning framework.
Research focus:
Case-based instruction, self-directed online learning and peer assessment model.
Heng Luo is an Associate Professor at School of Educational Information Technology in Central China Normal University. He received his Ph.D. in Instructional Design, Development and Evaluation from Syracuse University and worked as a research associate at the Pennsylvania State University before accepting his current position in China. He has been an active member in academic organizations such as AECT, AERA and Online Learning Consortium with journal articles and conference papers published in their journals and conference proceedings. As the Principle Investigator, he has led and is leading several research projects in both China and the U.S. with a combined grant funding over $50k. His research efforts have been recognized with awards such as All-University Doctoral Prize given by Syracuse University and Divisional Outstanding Research Paper Award given by AECT.
Research Focus:
The theory and methods of evaluation of educational and social programs, specifically on investigative methods in applied fields of inquiry.
Nick Smith is a professor of instructional design, development, and evaluation. Smith has served on numerous editorial boards, including as past editor-in-chief of New Directions for Program Evaluation. He has also edited such volumes as Metaphors for Evaluation: Sources of New Methods; New Techniques for Evaluation; Communication Strategies in Evaluation; and Varieties of Investigative Evaluation. In 2004, he served as president of the American Evaluation Association.
Team Members
Research focus:
Relationship between the learning objectives, multimedia selection and use, and cognitive load.
D. Garmondyu Whorway is a doctoral student at Syracuse University in Instructional Design, Development and Evaluation (IDD&E). Liberian by nationality, he initially earned his Master of Science from the IDD&E department before joining a robust research family at the doctoral program level. He has a passion for technology and instructional media integration, especially in developing and technology-challenged contexts.
Research focus:
Merging cognitive load and human computer interaction to design e-learning interface that impacts adult learning.
Research focus:
Development of a rubric to assess learning resources using principles of design and learning.
Lei Wang is a doctoral student in Instructional Design, Development and Evaluation at Syracuse University. She is interested in the design and development of rubrics to assess learning resources that prompt deep learning. Lei started her teaching career in 2002 as a public school teacher in China. She developed strong interests in exploring the nexus of theory-based instructional models, design, the possibilities technology offers in aiding the transformation of teaching and learning and assessing learning resources using principles of design and learning throughout her career.
Research Focus:
Conceptualizing generative learning theory and incorporating generative strategies in learning resources.
Mary Wilhelm-Chapin is a doctoral student in Instructional Design, Development and Evaluation at Syracuse University. She is interested in the development of learning resources that promote critical thinking skills, particularly in online environments. Mary started her career in teaching and learning as a public school teacher. In recent years, Mary has worked with the Leadership Institute of Utica College as project manager working with health care organizations, community groups, and higher education institutions. As an adjunct instructor in an online health care administration program, Mary has designed, developed, and taught courses in multiple platforms. She holds two masters of science degrees from Purdue University in elementary education, and supervision and administration, as well as a MS in Instructional Design from Syracuse University.
Research Focus:
Using cognitive theory of multimedia learning for designing effective instructional materials.
Research focus:
How online platforms can better prepare students’ learning.
Qi Wu is a doctoral student in the IDD&E program at Syracuse University. I obtained both of my Bachelor and Master degree at Syracuse University. I have taken courses in instructional design, evaluation theory, front-end analysis, etc.
Research focus:
Cooperative learning theory and its application to distance education.
Tianxiao is a doctoral candidate in the IDD&E program at Syracuse University. He has two Master degrees at Syracuse University. One degree is Cultural Foundation of Education, Master of Science, and the other is Instructional Design, Development and Evaluation, Master of Science. As a teaching assistant, Tianxiao has independently taught the IDE 301, Integrating Technology into Instruction, for three years. He is currently in the All But Dissertation (ABD) status and working on his dissertation. His current research interest is how online instructions can be designed and developed according to the cooperative learning theory.
Research focus:
Emerging technologies (e.g., virtual reality) integration into K-12 education, digital media in education, virtual learning environment design.
Yang Liu is a doctoral student in the Instructional Design, Development and Evaluation (IDD&E) program at Syracuse University.
Research focus:
Higher education faculty’s instructional decision making.
My research interests include adult learning, faculty professional development, and technology-mediated learning.
Research focus:
Student curiosity and its relation to levels of learning.
My research interests include human curiosity, creative insight, and educational measurement.
