Dennis McElroy, PhD
Professor Emeritus • Graceland University
Scholarship
Summary
Scholarship is the application of acquired knowledge in an effort to explore and share with others. This endeavor includes attending and presenting at conferences, conducting workshops, leading study abroad sessions, publications, and discoveries. I've opened myself to doing things that challenge my comfort level such as travel abroad with students. I've become engaged in leadership positions and professional activities in organizations that have stretched and developed my capabilities and knowledge. These have truly made me a stronger, more vibrant person and professional.
England and Wales
During May Term 2016, I accompanied a group of approximately 40 students on a three week exploration of England and Wales. I was one of five faculty teaching classes related to our trip. The education students and I explored several English schools and wrote a comparative study of the English and American school systems. The trip included visits to an international school, three rural English schools and one Welsh school. Students were also provided the opportunity to explore historical sites, attend two major theater productions and tour London.
Graceland students and professors at the end of their study abroad in England and Wales. I supervised a group of education students who performed a comparative study of English and American schools.
Myself along with c0-presenters Dr. Mia Williams (Univ. of Northern Colorado), Dr. Jennifer Corduff (Azusa Pacific University) and Dr. Pena Bedesem (Kent State University) at ISTE 2017 in San Antonio, TX.
International Society for Technology in Education
I have been involved with ISTE as a member for much of my career. In the past few years I have become involved in a variety of leadership positions and responsibilities. I spent two years as part of the ISTE Advocacy team (2012-15) which gave me the opportunity to lobby Congress. I reviewed award nominations (2012-present) for research papers and specific recognitions offered by the organization. I became a part of the Teacher Education Network leadership team in 2015 and have served as the Professional Development chair (2015-16) and the newsletter editor (2015-present). As part of this experience I have connected with a variety of colleagues from across the country which resulted in having numerous proposals accepted for presentations for the international conferences in San Antonio, TX., Chicago, Il., and Philadelphia, PA. Beginning in spring 2017 I was invited by ISTE to review both professional articles and book proposals for publication consideration. During that time I have reviewed five book manuscripts.
Professional Development Program for Faculty and Students
In response to both student feedback (a result of focus groups conducted Spring 2017) and the State of Iowa accreditation report, I was tasked with developing a professional development program for Gleazer School of Education faculty and students. The primary focus is on technology integration. It is offered via iTunes U so that all students and faculty can access the course using their iPads. The program was developed Summer 2017 and implemented Fall 2017. The course consists of 4 levels and 7 modules I designed as well as 11 modules from outside sources.
Joint Program to Develop Microcredentials for ISTE Teacher Standards
(see Link for more information)
In June 2017, I was appointed to a joint team from the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) and ISTE to develop microcredentials or badges for the ISTE teacher standards and other educational technology competencies. In January 2019 we were informed the project had gained ISTE approval.
Professional Presentations
Webinar Co-Presenter. “ISTE Standards for Educators: CT Case Studies and Resources.” State of Connecticut. January 2019. Invited.
Webinar Co-Presenter. “ISTE Standards in Teacher Prep.” International Society for Technology in Education. December 2019. Invited.
Invited Panel: "TED-Teacher Professional Development through Micro-Credentials: Lessons Learned and Next Steps." Association for Educational Communications and Technology. October 2018. Kansas City, KS. Juried.
Co-Presenter: "Top 10 Tools Every New Teacher Needs! Updated Advice From Teacher Educators," International Society for Technology in Education International Conference. June 2018, Chicago, IL. Juried.
Co-Presenter (Panel): "Latest Word: On the Leading Edge of Technology Integration in Higher Education." International Society for Technology in Education International Conference. June 2018, Chicago, IL. Juried.
Co-Presenter: "Scan and Go," National Social Science and Technology conference, March 2018, Las Vegas, NV. Juried.
Webinar Co-Presenter: "10 Tools Every Teacher Needs," Webinar offered via ISTE Professional Learning Series. March 2018. Juried.
Co-Presenter: "10 Tools Every Teacher Needs," Webinar offered via ISTE Professional Learning Series. March 2018.
Presenter: “Professional Learning Networks as a Way of Life,” Iowa Technology & Education Connection conference. October 2017. Des Moines, IA. Juried.
Co-Presenter: “Augmented Reality - Timelines, Tutorials and Teaching,” Iowa Technology & Education Connection conference. October 2017. Des Moines, IA. Juried.
Co-Presenter: “Teacher Education Network year – in– review,” International Society for Technology in Education International Conference. June 2017. San Antonio, TX. Juried.
Co-Presenter: “Top 10 Tools Every New Teacher Needs! Advice from Teacher Educators,” International Society for Technology in Education International Conference. June 2017. San Antonio, TX. Juried.
Co-Presenter: “Let’s Get Moving in the Digital Direction!: Innovative Teaching in Higher Education ,” International Society for Technology in Education International Conference. June 2017. San Antonio, TX. Juried.
“Promotion and Tenure Process: Creating the Professional Portfolio,” First Year Faculty Conference. Graceland University, Spring 2016.
“Promotion and Tenure Process: Creating the Professional Portfolio,” First Year Faculty Conference. Graceland University, Spring 2015.
“Creating a Professional Development Program Based on Bloom’s Taxonomy and the SAMR Model,” Iowa Technology Education Connection State conference, October 2014. Juried.
Credentials Earned/Courses Completed
Webinar: "Three Educators, Two Digital Citizenship Frameworks, One Shared Vision." International Society for Technology in Education. January 2019 (Click HERE to view Certificate)
PLNs for Educators: From Novice to Expert. International Society for Technology in Education Teacher Education Network. November 2017
(Click HERE to view Certificate)
Educational Digital Media Designer. International Society for Technology in Education Teacher Education Network. November 2016
(Click HERE to view Certificate)
Apple Teacher Certification (iPad). Apple, Inc. Online Course. October 2016.