University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies Scholars Present at International Association for Educational Communication and Technology Convention

Researchers from Center for Educational and Instructional Technology Research and Center for Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Research present findings at the event

Researchers from University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies Center for Educational and Instructional Technology Research (CEITR) and Center for Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Research (CWDIR) presented multiple research studies at the 2023 Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) International Convention “AECT 100: Reflections and Transformations,” which celebrated the organization’s 100th year on October 15-19, 2023. The annual convention brings together educational researchers and practitioners interested in learning design, performance improvement, and educational uses of technology.

The research labs at CEITR focus on cutting edge topics in education and put researchers in the center of an effective ecosystem of experts, resources, and tools. The transformation of educational technology over the past few years has brought CEITR focus areas of education communications, access and learning discussions to the foreground. CWDIR research teams examine the impact and opportunity of diversity and inclusion in the workplace and workforce, including that of educational and instructional environments and technology.  

“Our collaborative research teams investigate issues and challenges for online and in-person education with the goal of resolving the issues and improving learners’ and educators’ experiences,” states Mansureh Kebritchi, Ph.D., chair of CEITR. “The AECT conference is a critical space for our scholars to share their findings in a community that enriches the discussion and potential for leveraging findings to instigate change and improvements to instruction technology.”

The 2023 AECT presentations by College of Doctoral Studies and research center scholars included:

• “Increasing Online Student Retention in Higher Education Institutions,” by Danielle Kish, Ed.D., CEITR member;

• “Virtual Technology-Based Distance Education (VTBDE) As A Solution To Admission Crisis In Nigeria’s Higher Education,” by Pauline Ann Baba, Ed.D., CEITR member;

• “Building Pre-Service Teacher Perseverance with Online Affirmations of Grittiness,” by Danielle Sixsmith, Ed.D., CEITR Fellow;

• “Transforming Educational Climate,” by Kimberly Underwood, Ph.D., chair of CWIDR, Joy Taylor, Ed.D., and Sandra Sessoms-Penny, Ed.D., both CWDIR Fellows. 

AECT is an international professional association of instructional designers, educators and professionals. This year’s virtual and in-person conference in Orlando, Florida, themed “AECT 100: Reflections and Transformations,” offers practical applications, research, workshops, and demonstrations of new technologies in teaching and learning. 

Learn more here about AECT and the convention. 

About the College of Doctoral Studies

University of Phoenix’s College of Doctoral Studies focuses on today’s challenging business and organizational needs, from addressing critical social issues to developing solutions to accelerate community building and industry growth. The College’s research program is built around the Scholar, Practitioner, Leader Model which puts students in the center of the Doctoral Education Ecosystem® with experts, resources and tools to help prepare them to be a leader in their organization, industry and community. Through this program, students and researchers work with organizations to conduct research that can be applied in the workplace in real time.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.