Laura Dell

Laura Dell joined the staff of College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services in 2008 as the Academic Director for the online Associate and Bachelor’s degrees in Early Childhood Education. Laura has worked as a distance learning consultant for school districts across Ohio and has presented on distance learning and technology integration topics at numerous state, national, and international education conferences. She holds a Masters in Educational Foundations from the University of Cincinnati and a certificate in distance education from Indiana University, and is an EdD in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Cincinnati. In her current position as Associate Dean of the College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services & IT, she works with all academic issues in the college for undergraduate and grduate students and oversees marketing, recruitment, instructional design and student advising and retention. She previously worked for CET, PBS in Cincinnati, as a producer of educational media. Educational design projects include curriculum guides, videos, museum exhibits, websites, and software designed for classroom use. Dell is also an experienced science educator who has worked at the Cincinnati Zoo, Orlando Science Center, Cincinnati Parks, and Cincinnati Museum Center. She has experience with children’s media and literature as the Exhibits & Programs Coordinator at the Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton Co. She has taught in the School of Education at UC since 2008 and has led both study abroad and honors courses. Her current research is focused on children’s experiences in and conceptions of nature.

MEd: University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH, 2001 (Educational Studies Thesis: Local Environmental Belief Systems of Urban Youth in Middle Childhood)

BA: Ohio Wesleyan University Delaware, OH, 1995 (Zoology and Theatre)

EdD: University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH, 2018 (Curriculum & Instruction)

1995 -1997 Natural Sciences Manager, • Directed the development, construction and installation of a 7,000 sq. ft., $2.5 million, immersion-style natural sciences exhibit, which opened to record attendance ahead of schedule and under budget. • Managed a staff of 85 paid and volunteer employees, successfully mediating professional differences of opinion concerning departmental procedures among assertive and diverse personnel. • Taught informal teaching techniques, multiple intelligences theory, and constructivist education to University of Central Florida education interns. • Correlated natural sciences programs and exhibits to meet state educational standards. • Guided the program development of the most popular gallery, NatureWorks, which included education areas, hands-on exhibits, walk through habitats, 400 live animals, and the collections department. , ORLANDO SCIENCE CENTER, Orlando, FL

1998 -1999 Science Coordinator, Children’s Museum , • Developed exhibits and educational programming to meet early childhood educational standards for four exhibit halls. • Coordinated the final design and exhibit installation within specific budget and timeline restraints for science exhibit halls, including exhibits about water forces, natural sciences and physical sciences. • Researched and wrote volunteer and staff training programs that trained more than 150 volunteers in guest interaction techniques. , CINCINNATI MUSEUM CENTER, Cincinnati, OH

1999 -2001 Assistant Projects Manager , • Wrote and presented teacher professional development courses correlated to state proficiency guidelines for K-12 teachers on integrating videoconferencing and computer technology into the classroom. • Managed a $300,000 arts integration curriculum project funded by the state of Ohio in collaboration with Cincinnati Art Museum and Association for the Advancement of Arts Education that was released on schedule and within the budget parameters., CET-TV/PBS, Cincinnati, OH

2001 -2004 Projects Manager, • Directed the development of distance learning services for schools in nine counties in southwestern Ohio, serving over 240,000 students. • Launched and administered the Cincinnati region for TeacherLine, an online professional development program developed by PBS to help teachers meet classroom needs and continuing education requirements. • Managed a $300,000 Underground Railroad curriculum project in partnership with National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and University of Cincinnati, and an award winning $500,000 statewide economics curriculum project in collaboration with UC Economics Center for Education & Research. Both projects were designed to meet the content standards for students and the professional development requirements of teachers. • Presented sessions on eLearning at Ohio, Kentucky, and national education conferences., CET-TV/PBS, Cincinnati, OH

2004 -2008 Programs & Exhibits Coordinator, • Led team of more than 150 staff at 42 library locations producing over 15,000 educational programs each year serving more than 300,000 teachers, children, teens, and adults. • Developed new programs and exhibits through collaborative partnerships with local and national organizations such as the Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Bengals, Cincinnati Museum Center, University of Cincinnati, Hebrew Union College, US Holocaust Memorial Museum, National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature. • Provided professional development for librarians on early childhood development and Ohio Early Learning Content Standards. • Analyzed current services and developed and evaluated new services to attract new customers and appeal to new markets. • Identified new modes of service delivery in conjunction with IT staff. • Controlled an annual budget of over $250,000, exercising fiscal responsibility. • Coordinated promotional plan and materials for programming and exhibits with the library’s web coordinator and public relations department. • Partnered with Friends of the Public Library on fundraising initiatives, raising over $100,000 each year to sponsor library programs. • Graduated with distinction from Management Academy, an intensive 18-month program created by library consultants to produce dynamic and responsive leaders. , PUBLIC LIBRARY OF CINCINNATI & HAMILTON CO., Cincinnati, OH

2008 -2010 Academic Director, CECH - Early Childhood Learning Community , • Managed online AAS and BS degree programs in Early Childhood Education serving more than 700 students. • Led semester conversion process for AAS and BSEd in Early Childhood Education (Birth – Age 5) assuring alignment with student learning outcomes, program learning outcomes, and baccalaureate competencies across the programs. • Evaluated course content and faculty performance in online courses. • Ensured adherence to NCATE and NAEYC accreditation standards. • Monitored program level assessments and partnered with faculty on program decisions and changes based on assessment data. • Designed new course, Learning ECE Online, for online BSEd students. Course was modeled on First Year Experience courses for on-campus students. • Developed articulation agreements with other colleges and universities. • Streamlined program processes to align with college and university procedures. , UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI, Cincinnati, OH

2010 -2014 Academic Director, Teacher Licensure & Online Learning, School of Education, • Directed program support for 24 online programs in the School of Education serving more than 1000 students each term. • Partnered with program faculty/staff on program quality and retention improvement plan to earn #18 ranking for online graduate education programs by US News & World Report in 2014 – up from #33 in 2013. • Trained faculty on best practices in assessment, course design, and online teaching. Member of Blackboard Collaborative Training Team for Bb 9.1 SP13 rollout. • Led technology integration pedagogy components of the Iraqi University Linkages and the Alumni University grants from the US State Department. Co-PI on the Alumni University grant - $300,000. • Coordinated Distance Learning State Authorization process with the Provost’s Office for the School of Education. • Collaborated on the development of two new graduate certificates focused on eLearning: Online Teaching & Learning and Leadership in Online Learning. • Managed relationship with Pearson Embanet, a vendor that provides marketing, admissions, and retention services for online graduate programs in the School of Education. • Developed 6 new online and blended courses in the School of Education as part of semester conversion. • Collaborated with program faculty on IAP process, C-1 and P-1 development, and other semester conversion issues for School of Education undergraduate and graduate online programs. • Monitored program level assessments for CAEP accreditation and OBR and SPA approval processes. Lead program decisions and changes based on assessment data. Member of 2013 team that led a successful accreditation visit where UC became the first university in the country to be approved under the new accreditation structure of CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation). • Chaired Licensure Council in the School of Education (2011 – 2014). Led collaborative decision making process on policy and procedures. Address licensure concerns with students. • Advocated for online and teacher licensure student issues with university level offices (Registrar, Bursar, Graduate School, Financial Aid, Disability Services, UCIT, etc.). • Mediated concerns among faculty, advisors, and students by maintaining high program standards while addressing student needs. • Co-taught a new UC Forward course on Children and Media in 14SS with a study abroad component with Dr. Nancy Jennings from the College of Arts & Sciences, Department of Communications. , UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI, Cincinnati, OH

2015 -To Present Assistant Professor, Educator, and Associate Director for eLearning, School of Education, • Lead eLearning team that provides instructional design support and training on online and classroom-based technologies for School of Education faculty. • Direct program and advising support for 24 online programs in the School of Education serving more than 1000 students each term. o 1 Associate degree o 2 Bachelors degrees o 5 Masters degrees o 16 Graduate Certificates and Teaching Endorsements • Coordinate relationship with ECOT school district to provide professional development courses for their faculty. Over 100 teachers have participated in the program during the first year of the partnership. • Manage relationship with Pearson, a vendor that provides marketing, admissions, and retention services for online graduate programs in the School of Education. • Lead technology integration pedagogy components of the Iraqi University Linkages and the Alumni University grants from the US State Department. Co-PI on the Alumni University grant - $300,000. • Coordinate Distance Learning State Authorization process with the Provost’s Office for the School of Education. • Advocate for online student issues with university level offices (Registrar, Bursar, Graduate School, Financial Aid, Disability Services, UCIT, etc.). • Mediate concerns among faculty, advisors, and students by maintaining high program standards while addressing student needs. , UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI, Cincinnati, OH

Grant: #SIZ-100-13-GR021 Investigators:Dell, Laura; Johnson, Holly 09-25-2013 -12-31-2015 Department of State, US Embassy - Baghdad Alumni University - DOS-Baghdad-PD-2013-5 Cooperative Agreement Role:Co-PI 600,000 Completed Type:Contract Level:International

Grant: #OSGC 062138 Investigators:Dell, Laura 08-15-2022 -08-14-2023 NASA Headquarters OSGC Scholarships - AY22-23 Role:PI 2000.00 Awarded Level:Federal

Grant: #OSGC 062138 Investigators:Dell, Laura 08-15-2022 -08-14-2023 NASA Headquarters OSGC Scholarships - AY22-23 Role:PI 2000.00 Awarded Level:Federal

Grant: #OSGC 062139 Investigators:Dell, Laura 08-15-2022 -08-14-2023 Ohio Space Grant Consortium OSGC Scholarships - AY22-23 Role:PI 2000.00 Awarded Level:Non Profit

Grant: #OSGC 062531 Gill AY23/24 Investigators:Dell, Laura 09-01-2023 -08-31-2024 NASA Headquarters OSGC Scholarships - AY23-24 Role:PI 2000.00 Awarded Level:Federal

Peer Reviewed Publications

Liao, T., Jennings, N. A., Dell, L., & Collins, C. (2019. ) Could the Virtual Dinosaur See You? Understanding Children’s Perceptions of Presence and Reality Distinction in Virtual Reality Environments.Journal of Virtual Worlds Research, , 12 (2 ) , More Information

Other Publications

Dell, L. & Hakeem, S. (2012. ) Technology integration in higher education in Kurdistan, Iraq: A wiki case study. .International Conference: The Future of Education Conference Proceedings , Vol. II ,201-206 Simonelli Editore University Press

Encyclopedia Article

Dell, L. (2005. ) Encyclopedia of Distance Learning .Vol I-IV, 374-378Hershey, PA, Information Science Publishing (Author)

Invited Presentations

Dell, L., & Griebling, S. (11-2011. ) Design on a dime: Using open-source technologies for online instruction .18th Annual Sloan Consortium International Conference on Online Learning, Orlando, FL. Level:International

Dell, L. & Schroeder, S. (10-2011. ) Performance Based Assessments .Embanet-Compass Partner Summit, Orlando, FL. Level:National

Dell, L., & Griebling, S. (11-2010. ) Design on a dime: Using open-source technologies for online instruction .National Association for the Education of Young Children National Conference, Anaheim, CA. Level:National

Dell, L., Griebling, S., Bond, D., & Neal, M. (11-2009. ) Designing a quality online early childhood teacher education program: Lessons learned from the University of Cincinnati .National Association for the Education of Young Children National Conference, Washington, DC. Level:National

Dell, L. (05-2009. ) Evaluating Software for the Preschool Classroom .Technology and Data Management Solutions for Head Start Conference, Sponsored by the Ohio Head Start Association in Partnership with the Early Childhood Quality Network (ECQ-net), Columbus, OH. Level:State

Dell, L. (10-2012. ) Using visual methodologies to understand young children's relationships with nature .9th Annual North American Association for Environmental Education Research Symposium, Oakland, CA. Level:International

Dell, L. (11-2012. ) Mobile apps in early childhood .Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Children's Literature Conference, Crestview Hills, KY. Level:Regional

Dell, L. (02-2009. ) Is Online Education for Me? .eTech Ohio Educational Technology Conference, Columbus, OH. Level:State

Dell. L. (04-2013. ) Using open-source and free technologies for effective classroom instruction .Salahaddin University (Hawler) – University of Cincinnati Linkage Conference, Erbil, Iraq. Level:International

Dell, L. (04-2013. ) Mobile apps for learning English language and literature .Salahaddin University (Hawler) – University of Cincinnati Linkage Conference, Erbil, Iraq. Level:International

Dell. L. (08-2016. ) A window into a nature-based preschool through the eyes of children .Nature-Based Preschool National Conference, St. Paul, MN. Level:National

Stoll, C., Clineman, D., Dell, L., Peterson, D., Schroeder, S., Rota, M., Verkamp, B., & Breen, J. (10-2014. ) One university's journey to eLearning success .20th Annual Online Learning Consortium International Conference, Orlando, FL. Level:International

Dell, L. & Schroeder, S. (10-2013. ) Teaching isn't magic: Using transparent pedagogy in online teacher education .Educause Annual Conference, Anaheim, CA. Level:National

Garrett, R. & Dell, L (03-2013. ) Program differentiation .Pearson Embanet Partner Summit, Orlando, FL. Level:National

Dell, L. & Jacobs, J. (09-2015. ) I teach a great course, why would I want to work with an Instructional Designer? .2015 University of Cincinnati Faculty Technology Showcase, Cincinnati, OH. Level:University

Dell, L. & Jennings, N. (03-2015. ) Media literacy .Parenting in a Digital Age workshop , Mason, OH. Level:Local

Dell. L. (11-2014. ) Mobile technologies in early childhood and middle school .2014 Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Children's Literature Conference, Crestview Hills, KY. Level:Regional

Dell, L., Highley, T., & Johnson, C. (01-2014. ) Cincinnati, Ohio Meets Kurdistan, Iraq: Cultural connections through web conferencing .10th Annual Tri-State Diversity Conference, Hebron, KY. Level:Regional

Beckett, G., Dell, L., Johnson, H., & Kendall Theado, C. (09-2011. ) Kurdish and Iraqi linkages .Global Institute 2011 Conference, Athens, OH. Level:State

Poster Presentations

Dell. L. (11-2015. ) Cameras as windows into the environmental learning of children in a nature-based preschool .National Association for the Education of Young Children National Conference, Orlando, FL. . Level:National

Paper Presentations

Dell, L., & Hakeem, S. (06-2012. ) Technology Integration in Higher Education in Kurdistan, Iraq: A Wiki Case Study .Florence, Italy. Level:International

2005 Emmy Nomination for Instructional Media at the 41st Annual Midwest Regional EMMY Awards Safe Passage , a Multimedia Social Studies and Language Arts Curriculum for Grades 6-9. Status:Nomination Level:Regional

18-ECE-277 CHILD DEVELOPMENT Level:Undergraduate

18-EDST-426 SOC INEQUALITIES Level:Undergraduate

18-ECE-495 STORIES OF TEACHING Level:Undergraduate

18-ECE-190 LRNG ECE ONLINE Level:Undergraduate

18-CI-247 COMP TOOLS/TEACHERS Level:Undergraduate

18-EDST-737 HUMAN DEV ADOLES Level:Graduate

18-CI-400 TCH & LRN DIV CLASS Level:Undergraduate

-CI-3003 TCH & LRN DIV CLASS Level:Undergraduate

Methods of Online Course Development Level:Graduate

Role of Teachers in a Democratic Society Level:Graduate

-ECE-2025 FAM COMM SCHOOLS Level:Undergraduate

-EDST-7032 HUMAN DEVEL ADOLES Level:Graduate

-EDST-6016 PERSPECT CHD MEDIA Level:Both

-EDST-2003 PRE/MID-ADOL DEV Level:Undergraduate

Teachers Dyer Complex, 410F
laura.dell@uc.edu