Assistant Professor of Innovative Learning Technologies and K-6 Technology Integration

Assistant Professor of Innovative Learning Technologies and K-6 Technology Integration

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education

College of Education and Human Sciences

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

The Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education invites applications for the tenure-track position of Assistant Professor of Innovative Learning Technologies and K-6 Technology Integration. Candidates with expertise in K-6 learning technology design, K-6 technology integration, and K-6 online learning environments are encouraged to apply. The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally shifted the education system, leveraging technology to support learners as they engage in a variety of online, hybrid, and physical educational spaces. It has become clear that the role of technology in education will continue to expand and evolve, highlighting opportunities to engage in a strategic hire that will both support the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education’s current efforts to prepare novice educators and support classroom teachers and contribute to positioning our Innovative Learning Technologies (ILT) program as a leader in educational technology design, development, and integration. Furthermore, there has been a continued emphasis on the demonstrable need for K-12 students to have opportunities to engage with and develop fluency in computational thinking and coding (Papadakis & Stamatis, 2021) and to be prepared for the challenges of the future.
 

Our new colleague will join a dynamic faculty group in innovative learning technologies and elementary education and be part of a department, college, and university community committed to preparing teachers, researchers, and learning technology designers to support learning via innovative technologies. Furthermore, our new colleague will be one of three anticipated to join our department at an exciting time as we move into a new state-of-the-art facility for research, teaching, and collaboration in Fall 2023.
 

Description of Work
Responsibilities include research and publication; teaching, advising, and mentoring undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students; external funding seeking; delivering presentations at international and national professional associations; and contributing to the university’s mission and goals. This position emphasizes a commitment to: 1) research and scholarship in the area of Learning Technology Design, Emerging Technology Integration, and/or Learning Analytics, especially within K-6 settings; 2) supporting the development of undergraduate preservice K-6 classroom teachers (in both in-person and online settings); 3) expanding current graduate-level ILT program course offerings related to learning technology design, learning analytics, and/or school technology leadership, especially within K-6 settings; 4) working with local schools, communities, and organizations to promote learning opportunities that meet the needs of economically, culturally, and linguistically-diverse learners, including those in rural and Native American communities.
 

Minimum Qualifications

• A Ph.D. or Ed.D. in education technology or a related field. Evidence of a research agenda and potential for research commensurate with expectations of a research-intensive institution. Two or more years of previous teaching experiences in grades K-12 or with preservice educators. Evidence of mentoring graduate students and preservice teachers or an ability to express how previous mentoring experiences will inform that mentoring. Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and experience in multicultural settings. Experience in designing curricula and/or leading learning experiences over distance and a working knowledge of distance learning modalities, platforms, and pedagogies.
   

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or more years of previous teaching experience at the K-8 level (with a preference for experiences that directly apply to K-6 aged learners). Research expertise and interest in one or more of the following areas at the K-6 level: technology integration and teacher education, learning analytics, computer science education, and/or the design of learning technologies or the design of instruction in multiple delivery formats (physical classroom, online, hyflex, etc.). Record of external funding awards related or relatable to learning technologies design, research, and integration. Working knowledge of a programming language (e.g., python, javascript, ruby, C, java, lisp, visual basic, swift, sql, unix, haskell, r, Scratch, Snap, Blockly, Alice). Experience in multilingual/multicultural school environments. Demonstrated commitment to educational equity for diverse students and communities realized within teaching and research settings.
   

How to Apply
Review of applications will begin November 4, 2022 and will continue until the position is filled. Interested candidates must apply online at https://employment.unl.edu, requisition F_220173. Click “Apply to this Job,” complete the Faculty/Academic Administrative Information Form, and attach the following documents: 1) letter of application, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) contact information for three professional references, 4) statement of research, 5) statement of teaching, 6) diversity statement, and 7) example(s) of scholarly work. Please combine items 4, 5, 6, and 7 into a single document and attach as “Other Document.”

Those who are invited to and complete initial interviews via web conferencing will be required to submit: a) three (3) letters of recommendation and b) unofficial transcripts of all graduate work. Instructions for doing so will be shared at that time. Official transcripts will be required at the time of offer.

For additional questions, please contact Justin Olmanson, Search Committee Chair, at jolmanson2@unl.edu.

The College of Education and Human Sciences respects people, ideas, voices, and perspectives. Diversity strengthens our ability to problem solve and build more equitable and inclusive solutions for complex challenges. 

At the University of Nebraska, we strive for excellence in all that we do. True excellence requires that every individual be able to work and learn in an atmosphere of respect, dignity, and acceptance. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion requires each of us to continuously ensure our interactions be respectful, protect free speech, and inspire academic freedom.
 

As an EO/AA employer, the University of Nebraska considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation. See https://www.unl.edu/equity/notice-nondiscrimination.