We are honored to be ranked 9th nationally by Top Education Degrees. The ranking metrics include several factors including graduation rate and return on investment after graduation. Our 3-Year cohort-based program strives to be the most student-centered doctoral program in the US. Please check out this page for the full story. 

Faculty Members Drs. Shamburg, Amerman, Zieger, and doctoral student Dr. Samantha Bahna published "When School Bells Last Rung: New Jersey Schools and the Reaction to COVID‑19."  It is a wide-ranging research study on the immediate effects of the shift to remote learning.

COVID-19 caused an abrupt shift in the instructional delivery for students in New Jersey schools. Challenges have arisen for students of color and for individuals in lower socioeconomic stratum in terms of access to technology, quality educational resources, and culturally relevant content for remote learning. What are the ways in which schools can use technology to address issues of inequity? How has technology been leveraged to provide social-emotional supports? How can technology help to improve the educational experiences of students of color? In what ways does technology fail to address inequities? What are the the lessons learned from technology and culturally relevant pedagogical practices during the shift to emergency remote instruction? How will technology continue to influence issues of equity and social-emotional growth for our students? 

The goal for this event is to explore fresh perspectives on equity and accessibility of technology and consider novel approaches for uses of technology to address the needs of diverse learners.

See archived video here

If you are looking to learn new skills and connect with fellow educators, check our series of online workshops. We have a variety of topics, from learning new research software to better online teaching. You can see our schedule of live events or check out our recordings on-demand at our YouTube Channel.

The Covid Pandemic has disrupted the education of all students but has been particularly challenging for students with special needs. What are the lessons learned regarding technology and special education during this shift to remote learning? What has technology made more effective or expeditious? How can technology improve the education and experiences of students with special needs? What does technology fail to do? How will technology continue to influence the way education and support services are delivered? Our goal for this event is to consider new frameworks and innovative approaches for the use of technology in special education. We have assembled a panel of professionals with expertise and diverse experiences who can begin to answer these questions. 

See archived video here

Over 200 people attended our panel discussion on education after Covid. 

The COVID pandemic suddenly and drastically shifted educational practices to remote learning. With the anticipation of widespread vaccinations, we have the ability to imagine schools without the threats of the pandemic. The COVID pandemic exposed and exacerbated problems in American education. It also accelerated the use of technologies and highlighted priorities in teaching, learning, and school administration. This panel was tasked with imagining schools in the post-COVID world. What are the priorities, challenges, and opportunities that educators and policy makers have?

See the archived recording here

Congratulations to Iveth Mollinedo Ed Tech MA with SLMS Alum who won the 2020 New Jersey School Librarian's Ruth Toor Outstanding School Librarian Award.

Dr. Mathew Farber (MA, 2012; Ed.D. 2016, Cohort 1) recently published his third book, Global Perspectives on Gameful and Playful Teaching and Learning. Matt is an Assistant Professor of Technology, Innovation and Pedagogy (TIP) at the University of Northern Colorado, and co-founder of the TIP Creativity Lab. His research is at the intersection of game-based learning and social-emotional learning (SEL). 

Congratulations to Ed.D. Alum Dr. Dennissa Brown for her new job as Assistant Principal at East Orange STEM Academy.  Established in 2011, the East Orange STEM Academy offers a highly-focused, rigorous program in grades 6-12 for learners who have a strong desire to enter careers in STEM fields. Nationally ranked as a New Jersey Top 100 school by U.S. News and World Report, the school was also recognized by the College Board for female diversity in Computer Science.

Check out doctoral student Courtney Johnson's inspirational story in her Mentor USA talk. It is an amazing story of tragedy, determination, hope, and inspiration.  
Courtney is a member of Cohort 7.

YouTube Link

Congratulations to Alisa Martin Leighton and Qunita Whitely for their appointments on the New Jersey Preschool Teaching and Learning Standards Committee. Qunita is a special education teacher in Newark and Alisa is an early intervention therapist in Hudson County. They are doctoral students in Cohort 7.

Dr. Shamburg has been researching the ways podcasting is used for learning outside of formal education. He recently published "Cases of Successful Independent Educationally Oriented Podcasters"  in E-Learning and Digital Media and "Rising Waves in Informal Education: Women of Color with Educationally Oriented Podcasts"  in Education and Information Technologies.  Dr. Shamburg and doctoral student Samantha Bahna also researched and presented "Podcasters Who Educate: The New Wave of Teaching and Learning" at the online Ed Media and Innovate International Conference.

Katie Nieves' (Cohort 7) research article "Building Inclusive Learning Environments with 1:1 Devices" is forthcoming in the Journal of Special Education. The focus of the article is research on 1:1 devices in school districts and how they can be used to give more inclusive learning opportunities for students with disabilities. In the article she discusses accessibility features built into common 1:1 devices chosen by schools, such as Chromebooks and iPads, and shows how these tools can be used to provide common modifications and accommodations.

Daniel Ward (Cohort 5) was appointed a National Workshop Facilitator for Quality Matters, the leading design standards organization for online learning. Dan is currently the Assistant Director of Online Learning at NJCU and has been leading the effort at NJCU in Quality Matters.

NJCU Ed Tech Alum Sue Tranchina's has an online NJ TV Professional Development Session- Blogs, Podcasts, and Vlogs. There's also a special guest appearance at minute 29 that you do not want to miss.

If you are looking to learn new skills and connect with fellow educators, check our series of online workshops. We have a variety of topics, from learning new research software to better online teaching. You can see our schedule of live events or check out our recordings on-demand at our YouTube Channel. 

Michael Dunlea is an MA Ed Tech alum and an elementary teacher at Tabernacle Elementary School. He is one of fifty finalists for the prestigious "Global Teacher Prize," an award that funded by the Varkey Foundation that comes with a one million dollar prize. Michael is one of 50 finalists from around the world who made it to this final round of competition. You can read more about Michael's life, work, and use of technology.

Congratulations to Ed.D. Alum Dr. Meredith Moore for publishing her first Children's Book--Shea the Guide Dog. Follow Shea's adventures as he learns to become a guide dog.

Check out an amazing podcast--Taking CTRL in STEM and Ed Tech. It's a show about underrepresented voices in STEAM careers, academic fields, and educational technology. Host, producer, member of Cohort 6 and adjunct faculty member Samantha Bahna brings leaders, ideas, and resources to her audience.

Dear New Jersey K-12 Educators,

We need your participation. The NJCU Educational Technology Department is conducting a wide-ranging study to assess the effects of the COVID-19 shutdown of K-12 school buildings in New Jersey, and we are seeking your input.  Click here to take the survey.

Whether you are a continuing student or want to join, we have courses for you. Registration for Summer and Fall is now open, and NJCU Ed Tech has a variety of summer course offerings--all online. We have an enhanced Summer Schedule, with instructions for current students and applicants. Check out the full schedule of online courses. If you have any questions, contact an advisor.

Check out The BUZZ on Education podcast on New Techniques for Remote Teaching with Buzz Wood and Dr. Laura Bardroff Zieger. Listen in as Dr. Laura Zieger from New Jersey City University helps me break down three key topics as we all shift our behaviors and attention to remote learning.

Congratulations to the 14 Doctoral Students who successfully defended their dissertations. Each candidate had a lively two-hour defense via Zoom with their committee. Here are our doctoral candidates and their dissertation topics:

• Adnan Ezad: Rejection Versus Acceptance: Analysis of the National Conversation Surrounding Summit Learning

• Aminata E. Bamba Adewumi: Impact of Using Adaptive Learning in a Remedial Mathematics Course at an Urban University

• Barbara McCarty: Applying Situated Professional Development to the Implementation of an Emerging Technology: A Case Study of Integrating Drones into the Curriculum

• Carol A. Munn: A Qualitative Study Exploring Robots as a Potential Classroom Tool for Teaching Computational Thinking Within a Sixth-Grade Class

• Daniel Ward: Mixed Methods Research Study: Student Perceptions of Online Course Design Standards and the Relationship to Student Learning Outcomes

• Denise Tate: e-Learning, Assessing the Impact of MyEnglishLab in a Grammar Course on the Performance of Students at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences – AlAhsa Female Campus

• Douglas J. Koch: Gamification in Online Discussion Forums: A Convergent Mixed Methods Case Study Examining the Relationship Between Gaming Elements and Social Presence

• Karen Lyn Johnson Cotter: Impact of Gamification on Sense of Community and Self-Efficacy in a Summer Bridge Program

• Linda L. Lampert: ClassDojo and Home-School Communication

• Manuel Fransisco Negron: A Mixed Methods Study: Digital Divide and Its Impact on Student Success as Perceived by New Jersey Principals

• Patrick St. Aubyn Holness, Jr.: Understanding Principal Leadership in Future Ready Schools

• Peter J. Mattaliano: Factors that Impact Decision-Making of School Administrators Regarding Technology Purchases

• Susan Van Alstyne: Library Evolution, Digital Revolution: The Role of the Academic Library in the Campus Community

• Terri Evans: A Qualitative Study of STEM Student Motivation to Attend or Not to Attend Supplemental Instruction

We experienced an amazing day meeting Sophia, an AI humanoid robot from Hanson Robotics as she made her first public school appearance at doctoral candidate Barbara McCarty's Timberland Middle School Science Fair. Dr. Zieger attended the event and discussed with David Chen, CFO of Hanson, possibilities of conducting research with Sophia and AI and its impact on STEM education.

On March 2nd NJCU Ed Tech Speaking Series was honored to host John W. Creswell, Ph.D. Dr. Creswell is a Professor of Family Medicine and Co-Director of the Michigan Mixed Methods Research and Scholarship Program at the University of Michigan. He has authored numerous articles and 27 books on mixed methods research, qualitative research, and research design. He gave a lecture to the NJCU University community and a special seminar on mixed methods research to our NJCU Ed Tech students.

We are proud to work with our partner Eduscape and the Drone Racing League (DRL) to bring drones to remote education! The Drone Racing League launched their DRL Academy. DRL has engaged hundreds of students through live STEM sessions across the US, Middle East and Asia. The league has proven success in the classroom, and now offers unique opportunities to support students studying remotely. Committed to inspiring the next generation of drone pilots and innovators, DRL and Eduscape, as well as their partner New Jersey City University, will offer students complimentary access to:

• Drone Flying & Building Lessons on the DRL Simulator, a true-to-life drone racing SIM on Steam that integrates accurate drone physics, aerodynamics, and motion capture technology
• Digital STEM Panel Sessions with DRL’s world-class drone technicians and Eduscape leadership, who will share insights into the technology behind the immersive sport of drone racing and the future of robotics
• Live-Streamed Celebrity Guest Lectures with champion and all-star DRL Pilots, who are also engineers, scientists and content creators from around the world

Alex Urrea, Founder, and CEO of Eduscape, a New Jersey-based business, and a leader in STEM education and online teaching said the following on working with the Drone Racing League and a bit more about the program the DRL Academy will bring to schools.

“We are proud to work with DRL on this important step in giving students and teachers a unique opportunity as they forge deeper into the world of remote learning during this crisis. This initial program will give teachers a unique and innovative option as they look to integrate STEM programs into an online curriculum. It is engaging and fun, while providing practical applications of aeronautics, engineering design, and computer science and will lead to even more interest once we are back to normal as well.”

If you are interested in the DRL Academy, contact Dr. Zieger (lzieger@njcu.edu)

NJCU Ed Tech in partnership with Eduscape is offering ISTE Certification for Educator, a new competency-based, vendor- and platform agnostic teacher certification based on the ISTE Standards for Educators. This digital credential recognizes educators who understand how to use edtech for learning in meaningful and transformative ways.

Why Become an ISTE Certified Educator? 

• Recognized by ISTE, valued by leaders.
• Based on globally recognized standards.
• Pedagogy first, technology second.

Be Among the FIRST ISTE Certified Educators in New Jersey! 

Online sessions available. 
NJCU Students & Alumni: Inquire about a discount code by emailing info@eduscape.com

Joanna Antoniou, an Ed.D. student in Cohort 6, won the 2020 ISTE Making IT Happen Award at the 2020 NJECC Conference. The award "honors outstanding educators and leaders who demonstrate extraordinary commitment, leadership, courage, and persistence in improving digital learning opportunities for students. Since its inception in 1995 more than 600 educators from around the world have received the award."

New Jersey City University (NJCU) will be launching a groundbreaking STEM Certification Program for K-12 Educators. The program is being underwritten by John Martinson, a decorated U.S. Air Force pilot and engineer turned venture capitalist. Martinson is investing more than $400,000 for NJCU to underwrite the development of the program, which will offer K-12 educators an opportunity to experience a blended learning experience with hands-on and online coursework.

More information here 

Congratulations to Dr. Laura Zieger. She received the Edge Educational Technology Innovation Award at the Edge Member & Partner Appreciation Day. This award recognizes the achievement of an individual, program, or organization that has demonstrated outstanding creativity, innovation, or risk-taking in the use of educational technology as applied to their field (K-12, libraries, higher education institutions) to advance teaching, learning, research, institutional effectiveness and student success.

We are sorry to share that Ed.D. Alum Dr. Deborah Price Nagler​ passed away on Friday April 3 from COVID-19. Deborah was a bright and loving spirit whose generosity, enthusiasm, and curiosity touched everyone who knew her. You can read remembrances for her here. We know that there are many in our community who have suffered losses from COVID-19. Our thoughts are with you all. 

On Thursday February 27th Ed Tech Ed.D. Candidate Damiano Mastrandrea gave a tour of the Brooklyn STEAM Center, where he is an instructor. The Brooklyn STEAM Center  is an innovative career and technical training hub for 11th and 12th grade students, immersed within a robust industry environment, which prepares a pipeline of talented young adults who will thrive in the rapidly evolving manufacturing, technology, and creative fields.

Congratulations to NJCU Ed Tech MA Alum Gerald Lyons! Gerald overwhelmingly won a seat at the November 2019 Jersey City School Board election for a three-year term. Gerald has a 32-year career teaching and advocating for the children of Hudson County.

NJCU Ed.D. doctoral candidate in Cohort 6 Samantha Bahna has earned the Executive Women of New Jersey (EWNJ)  2019 Graduate Merit Award Scholarship award. EWNJ has awarded Samantha $5,000 to assist her in achieving her scholastic goals.

NJCU Master of Arts in Educational Technology alum Michael Dunlea was recently awarded The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). The PAEMST is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th grade science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teacher (STEM) may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. 

The NJCU Educational Technology Department is partnering with the Instructional Technology Council and is editing its journal, The Journal of the Instructional Technology Council (JITC). JITC is a quarterly, peer-reviewed journal focusing on topics related to academic technology in community colleges, distance and online education, and innovative approaches to higher education delivery modes. The inaugural issue is edited by Department Chairperson Dr. Laura Zieger and has articles by Alum Dr. Remberto Jimenez and Doctoral Candidate Daniel Ward. If you have ideas or questions about submissions, please contact edtech@njcu.edu.   

Press Release

Congratulations to Iveth Mollinedo (Ed Tech, MA-SLMS '18) who is featured in an NJEA Commercial. Check out the Spanish version too.

From July 15th-19th Cohorts 5, 6, and 7 worked, studied, collaborated, and participated in the "Hard Fun" of Summer Institute. The week included guest speakers, off-site visits, lectures, poster sessions, and qualifying experiences. For pictures of the week, go to our Facebook Album--Summer Institute 2019.

Dr. Shamburg and doctoral students Barbara McCarty and Samantha Bahna give a presentation on “Shifts in Higher Education” to a delegation of visiting college presidents from Heibei Province, China.

Congratulations to the 53 graduates of our MA in Ed Tech, MA in Ed Tech with School Library Specialization, and our Ed.D. in Educational Technology Leadership who graduated on May 16th at the Prudential Center.

On May 15 the NJCU Ed Tech Department had our Annual Doctoral Hooding and Masters Honors Ceremony.  It was quite an event for family and friends. Check here for more images.

We are honored to be recognized as the 3rd best Online Educational Technology Program in the US by the Center for Online Education for 2018. The methodology for ranking includes academic quality, online offerings, cost and student aid.

Deborah Kantor Nagler (Cohort 3) and Dr. Martha Osei-Yaw (Cohort 2) coauthored Building a K-12 STEM Lab  (ISTE Publisher). "The comprehensive and flexible approach outlined in this book will help school and district leaders develop productive community partnerships in support of STEM education within the STEM lab and throughout the school." 

Kerry Magro, an Ed.D. candidate and member of Cohort 4, was interviewed by Megan Kelly on the July 27th Today Show. Kerry is an internationally renowned speaker and thought leader on Autism. His doctoral dissertation focuses on the online communities that educate parents of children with autism.

The 2017 Edition of the College Affordability Guide rated the Educational Technology Program at NJCU #1 for Instructional Technology Programs for 2016. We edged out programs from schools such as Buffalo State SUNY, Texas A &M, and Michigan State for the #1 spot in the Top 10. The ranking formula does not simply measure cost; it includes measurements in "Institutional Fit", "Getting In", and "Getting Out". We are honored to be recognized for providing a quality and affordable education in this cutting edge field.

Dr. Katy Blatnick-Gagne (Cohort 2) recently move to Des Moines, Iowa where she will work at the Iowa Department of Education. Katy will be an Education Program Generalist with the Bureau of Career and Technical Education. In this position, she will oversee Health Sciences programs at the secondary and community college levels, along with work on career and technical education initiatives in Iowa and across the nation

We would like to congratulate Dr. Daun Ward (Cohort 3).

Dr. Daun Ward (Cohort 3)  is now a full-time faculty member at Kean University. She is a 12-month lecturer for the School of Education, working at the Kean Ocean University location.  Daun's background is in K-12 education, and the focus of her dissertation was on technology and teacher certification. 

Dr. Mathew Farber (Cohort 1) published Game-Based Learning in Action: How an Expert Affinity Group Teaches with Games (Peter Lang Publisher).  This is Dr. Farber's second book and is based on his dissertation research. 

The book addresses the question "How are expert educators using games in their classrooms to give students agency, while also teaching 21st century skills, like empathy, systems thinking, and design thinking?"  Dr. Farber is an Associate Professor Innovation and Pedagogy at the University of Northern Colorado.

Ms. Malissa Yabut (MA SLMS) coached two teams to a national science award. Two teams of students from Christa McAuliffe School 28 in Jersey City have been named winners of this year's Lexus Eco Challenge, earning a total sum of $20,000.  This is the latest in a long line of state and national awards Malissa has earned with her students.   Check here for the full story of the PS 28 and the Eco Challenge.

In 2018 NJCU Ed Tech was honored to host three internationally renowned researchers as part of our Vision 2050 Lecture Series--Dr. Etienne Wenger, an international thought leader on communities of practice; Dr. Kathy Charmaz, a pioneer of qualitative research and grounded theory; Dr. John Creswell, an international expert on mixed methods research. All of these scholars gave workshops to the NJCU doctoral faculty and students as well as a special lecture for the NJCU Community. Subscribe to our NJCU Ed Tech Newsletter for upcoming speakers.

The department is honored to announce the publication of Drones in Education: Let Your Students' Imaginations Soar by Dr. Christopher Carnahan, Dr. Laura Zieger, and doctoral student Kimberly Crowley. Though just off the presses in June, the reviews are already in, and overwhelmingly awesome; the GettingSmart.com review raves that it is "an excellent primer on drones and how to safely and effectively implement their use in the classroom." This is a groundbreaking work--one of the first to boldly and intelligently explore the applications of drones in education.

On June 1st Dr. Christopher Shamburg, faculty member in the Educational Technology Department, was appointed by to the New Jersey State Special Education Advisory Council (NJ SSEAC) by the New Jersey Board of Education. The NJ SSEAC's is responsible for advising the NJ Commissioner of Education on policies, action plans, and the needs of students with disabilities in the State of New Jersey. Dr. Shamburg's research has focused on new literacies, universal design for learning, and inclusive educational practices. 

Dr. Gigi Mohamand (Cohort 2) will be beginning her position as an Assistant Professor for the School Library Media Program at William Paterson University this fall. Gigi has over 15 years of experience as a K-12  librarian and is an active member of the New Jersey School Association of School Librarians.

Barbara McCarty (Doctoral Student in Cohort 5 and a Library Media Specialist in Pennington NJ) was honored by Axalta and The Philadelphia Eagles as an All Pro-Teacher for 2018.  The Axalta-Eagles All-Pro Teacher program recognizes outstanding 6th through 12th grade teachers in the tri-state area for their contribution to their students, school and community. As one of ten teachers chosen from hundreds of applicants, Barbara received a $2,000 donation for supplies and programming at her school.

The Ed.D. in Ed Tech Leadership hosted a talk and workshop by Etienne Wenger.

Etienne Wenger is a globally recognized thought leader in the field of communities of practice, who was featured by Training Magazine in their “A new Breed of Visionaries” series. A pioneer of the “communities of practice” research, he is author and co-author of seminal articles and books on the topic. His work as researcher, author, and consultant has influenced both thinking and practice in a wide variety of fields, including business, education, government, and social theory.

On Thursday April 5th NJCU hosted its first TEDx event and two Ed Tech doctoral students presented. The theme of the event was "The Past, the Present, and the Unknown." Remberto Jimenez of Cohort 3 presented " The Missing Element of Online Course Success is a Learning Community of Practice", and Adnan Ezad of Cohort 5 presented "Making Math Tangible with Technology".

Doctoral student Krista Welz (Doctoral Student in Cohort 4 and a School Librarian Media Specialist in North Bergen) has earned the Executive Women of New Jersey (EWNJ) Presidential Scholarship Award. EWNJ has awarded Krista $10,000 to assist her in achieving her scholastic goals. Krista is currently working on her dissertation, which focuses on school librarians’ practices and identities on Twitter.

In an initiative to increase the retention of under-represented STEM students, Dr. Laura Zieger and doctoral students have developed and implemented a gamified orientation program for the Proyecto STEM program, led by Dr. John Grew of the Biology Department. This innovative program is going into its third year, and its success has attracted national interest.

In March 2018 Irvington's Councilmember-at-Large Dr. October Hudley (Cohort 1) was recognized at an Outstanding Women's Award Brunch honoring "Professional Women in Our Community". Dr. Hudley received her MA in Educational Technology, her School Library Media Specialist Certification, and her Ed.D. in Educational Technology Leadership from NJCU.

Dr. Michael Bermudez (Cohort 4) will begin an assistant professor faculty position at the University of Scranton's Occupational Therapy Department starting August 2019. Michael was an Occupational Therapist and his research interest are in bringing technology into the field of Occupational Therapy. His doctoral dissertation focused on the application of wearable technology.

Dr. Dowayne Davis is currently the Executive Director of Finance & Operations for The Newark Opportunity Youth Network (NOYN) where he oversees the operation and finance for various educational programs across the city of Newark, NJ. NOYN is a citywide, community-based strategy set to improve life outcomes of over-aged (16-24), under-credited, and disengaged students in Newark, NJ. Dowayne oversees a cross-functional team that supports the implementation of a common program model, operational systems, research-based best practices, and quality assurance to drive outcomes and promote sustainability.

The entire Ed Tech Department was recognized as innovation leaders in the field of educational technology by AV Technology. The May 2015 Issue of AV Technology profiled our MA and Ed.D. programs as well as some of the initiatives of our Innovation Lab. Read the Web version of "A Lesson in Innovation: How NJCU is Helping to Shape the Ed Tech Discipline".

Dr. Yalitza Vega-Bajana, a recent Ed.D. graduate and a mathematics teacher at Michael Conti School in Jersey City, was instrumental in getting an $11,000 award for her school's STEAM Lab through the PIX11's Fuel My School Program. Congratulations Yalitza and all of the faculty and students at Michael Conti School.

This group explores the educational applications of e-textiles and soft circuits. It is lead by the Wearable/E-Textile Working Group from the Doctorate in Educational Technology Leadership at NJCU.

Full Presentation

See the Recording of the March 8th Webinar.

This three-year, cohort-based doctoral program prepares you to be an education leader in a variety of fields - K-12 education, higher education, community college, nonprofit organizations, and business. Our unique program offers the convenience of online education with a one-week summer institute for hands-on exploration, lectures, guest speakers, and collaborative projects.

In Summer of 2016, we held our first Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Education Summit (TEES). TEES is an initiative of the Educational Technology Doctoral Program at New Jersey City University. The conference is designed to bring together innovative educational leaders with entrepreneurs in educational-related ventures. More information.