Teaching | Richard E. Ferdig, PhD, MPH, MA

Teaching Philosophy

Kent State Distinguished Teaching Award My approach to teaching embraces the inherent complexities of working with diverse learners across multiple modalities and contexts. I employ four core practices: (1) apprenticeship learning that connects students with real-world audiences and authentic projects, (2) communities of practice where we recognize shared expertise and legitimate access to professional work, (3) innovative use of emerging technologies to transform educational practice, and (4) continuous reflection to adapt and improve my instruction. Through these practices—whether teaching doctoral students, conducting professional development with K-12 teachers, or mentoring across programs—I strive to prepare students not just with knowledge and skills, but with the confidence that they were genuinely cared for and supported in their learning journey.

Doctoral Graduates

Yoder, Nicole (2025; Ed.D.; co-chair) – Exploring faculty perceptions of collaborating with an instructional designer during asynchronous online course development
Elsey, Gretchen E. (2025; Ph.D.; member) – Evaluating virtual reality’s effects on task performance, physiological variables, psychometrics, and cognition in healthy college-aged individuals
Walter, Ann (2024; Ed.D.; chair) – #BlackInTheIvory: A discussion of Black undergraduate fashion students and social capital
Tan, Yong-Seng Jonathan (2024; Ph.D.; co-chair) – An explanatory sequential mixed-methods study to understand undergraduate students’ everyday texting experiences as they relate to social connectedness
Mills, Mathew (2024; Ed.D.; co-chair) – The effect of debriefing after low fidelity simulation on the self-efficacy and anxiety of athletic training students
Morris, Grace Ann (2024; Ph.D.; chair) – Exploring pre-service educators’ development of creativity through game-based learning
Krasniqi, Fitim A. (2022; Ph.D.; member) – Curriculum traditions in teacher preparation: A mixed methods study of Kosovo teacher educators’ views on effective teacher preparation
Chambers, Wallace (2022; Ph.D.; member) – Young adults experiencing homelessness and domestic violence: The use of Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (SPDAT) data to understand crisis intervention needs
Reed, Janet M. (2022; Ph.D.; chair) – Exploring the impact of simulation anxiety on clinical judgment for nursing students
Brannon, Megan E. (2022; Ph.D.; chair) – Exploring the impact of design thinking on creativity in preservice teachers
Dodson, Tracy M. (2022; Ph.D.; chair) – Examining the impact of expert modeling videos on nursing students’ simulation competency
Nigh, Jennifer (2021; Ph.D.; member) – The use of conceptual and practical tools to teach writing in 4th grade online classrooms: A multiple case study
Raber, James A. (2020; Ph.D.; chair) – Analysis of motivation, situational interest, and augmented reality
Baumgartner, Emily (2020; Ph.D.; chair) – The impact of virtual reality and 360-degree video on spatial reasoning skills in elementary students
Kaykayoglu, Ediz L. (2019; Ph.D.; chair) – Cultural intelligence and student activity in a learning management system
McCombs, Kristin (2019; Ph.D.; member) – The effects of gender pairings on performance and attitude in serious gaming
Amiruzzaman, Md (2019; Ph.D.; member) – Assessing the psychometric properties of newly developed behavior and attitude Twitter scales: A validity and reliability study
Green, Jennifer J. (2018; Ph.D.; chair) – The impact of video on interaction and reflection in the post-observation conference
McFarland, Maureen R. (2017; Ph.D.; chair) – Student pilot aptitude as an indicator of success in a Part 141 collegiate flight training program
Stoyle, Keri L. (2016; Ph.D.; co-chair) – Supporting mathematical explanation, justification, and argumentation through multimedia: A quantitative study of student performance
Amiruzzaman, Md (2016; Ph.D.; member) – Exploring preservice teachers’ understanding of measures of central tendency
Li, Zhuo (2011; Ph.D.; co-chair) – Adolescent English language learners’ second language literacy engagement in World of Warcraft
Black, Erik W. (2009; Ph.D.; chair) – An evaluation of familial involvements’ influence on student achievement in K-12 virtual schooling
Ertem, Ihsan Seyit (2009; Ph.D.; chair) – Investigating the effects of electronic cd-rom storybooks and traditional print storybooks on reading comprehension of fourth grade struggling readers
DiPietro, Meredith (2008; Ph.D.; chair) – Virtual school pedagogy: Beliefs, goals, and practices of K-12 virtual school teachers
Beck, Dennis (2008; Ph.D.; chair) – Effects of detailed customization of student avatars on teacher expectations of students
Raij, Andrew Brian (2008; Ph.D.; member) – Perspectives on the analysis of human-virtual human interactions
Johnsen, Kyle John (2008; Ph.D.; member) – Design and validation of a virtual human system for interpersonal skills education
Sessums, Christopher Davis (2008; Ph.D.; member) – The path from insight to action: The case of an online learning community in support of collaborative teacher inquiry
Ortiz-Rodriguez, Madeline (2008; Ph.D.; member) – In search of a mathematics discourse model: Constructing mathematics knowledge through online discussion forums
Nail, Daniel Allan (2008; Ph.D.; member) – An exploration of preservice teachers’ experiences in an online writing partnership
Spencer, Kristin Taylor (2008; Ph.D.; member) – Preservice elementary teachers’ two-dimensional visualization and attitude toward geometry: Influences of manipulative format
Schmoyer, Michael Wayne (2007; Ph.D.; member) – The relationships of handheld computer use, anxiety, and self-efficacy among public health employees
Mayne, Dina L. (2007; Ph.D.; member) – Conceptions of and orientation to teaching science of beginning secondary science teachers
Haugaard, Joy Felice-Stryker (2005; Ph.D.; member) – Critical elements of beginning teacher induction: An analyses of support contributing to professional development
Lefsky, Evan Brian (2005; Ph.D.; member) – Relationship of teacher change to frequency of teacher interaction with a reading coach
Ali, Naglaa Ahmed (2004; Ph.D.; member) – Effects of split attention on using electronic tools
Hartshorne, Charles Richard (2004; Ph.D.; co-chair) – Integrating hypermedia into elementary teachers’ science professional development opportunities: the effects on content knowledge and attitudes toward science
Demirbilek, Muhammet (2004; Ph.D.; member) – Effects of interface windowing modes and individual differences on disorientation and cognitive load in a hypermedia learning environment
Trammell, Kaye D. (2004; Ph.D.; member) – Celebrity blogs: Investigation in the persuasive nature of two-way communication regarding politics

Courses Taught

Artificial Intelligence in Education

Emerging Technologies in Education (ETEC 67434/77434) – Kent State University
Interprofessional Response to COVID-19 (HPM 40195/60195/80195) – Kent State University

Immersive Learning Technologies (XR/VR/AR, Gaming & Simulations)

Educational Gaming (ETEC 6/77410) – Kent State University
Virtual Reality (ETEC 6/77435) – Kent State University
Social Media, Gaming, and Extended Realities for Globalized Learning (ETEC 47495/67405) – Kent State University (Florence Summer Institute)
Game Theory & Design (EDG 6931) – University of Florida (2001-2009)

Online & Virtual Learning

Individual Investigation in Educational Technology (ETEC 67496) – Kent State University
Seminar in Educational Technology (ETEC 77491) – Kent State University
Research in Curriculum and Instruction (CI 87098) – Kent State University
Designing Integrated Learning Environments I (EME6208) – University of Florida (2001-2009)
Designing Integrated Learning Environments II (EME6209) – University of Florida (2001-2009)
Educational Technology and Teaching (EME 6405) – University of Florida (2001-2009)
Instructional Computing I (EME 5403) – University of Florida (2001-2009)
Instructional Computing II (EME 5404) – University of Florida (2001-2009)

Learning Sciences & Cognition

Learning with Educational Technologies (ETEC 87450) – Kent State University
Cognition in Technology (DSCI 23410) – Kent State University
Human-Computer Interaction (EME 6602) – University of Florida (2001-2009)
Teaching for Understanding with Computers (CEP810) – Michigan State University (1996-1997; 2003-2004)
Adapting Innovative Technologies to Education (CEP811) – Michigan State University (1996-1997; 2003-2004)
Applying Educational Technology for Clients (CEP812) – Michigan State University (1996-1997; 2003-2004)

Society, Culture & Technology

Society, Culture and the Digital Sciences (DSCI 10010) – Kent State University
Introduction to Emerging Media and Technology (EMAT 10010) – Kent State University
Capstone Project in Digital Sciences (DSCI 60998) – Kent State University
Society, Technology & Culture (EDG 6931) – University of Florida (2001-2009)
International Perspectives on Educational Technology (EDG 6931) – University of Florida (2001-2009)
Tomorrow’s Literacy Classroom Today (EDG 6931) – University of Florida (2001-2009)
American Civilization – Wyzsza Szkola Pedagogiczna, Krakow, Poland (1995-1996)
Computer-Aided Language Learning – Wyzsza Szkola Pedagogiczna, Krakow, Poland (1995-1996)

Additional Courses

Educational Technology Seminar: Preparing your Proposal (EME 7938) – University of Florida (2001-2009)
Digital Photography & Visual Literacy (EDG 6931) – University of Florida (2001-2009)
Photographic and Graphic Production Techniques (EME 6205) – University of Florida (2001-2009)
Communicating with Technology – University of Florida (2001-2009)
Classroom Management and Technology – University of Florida (2001-2009)
Statistics and Research Design (Psych 350) – Calvin College (1993-1994)