Michael Wilder
Destiny has led me on a dual career path following both academic and technological objectives. The result is a hybrid scholar with skills and perspective from both fields. I have worked as an educator and technologist in a variety of environments, serving as an Assistant Director, Instructional Design Coordinator, Learning Technologies Specialist, Blackboard Administrator, and higher education instructor (journalism, blogging, social media, Web design, Web-based multimedia, programming, desktop publishing, and essential computer applications). My current research focuses on the pedagogical usability of online course curriculum through the lens of cognitive load theory.
Education
Ph.D., Educational Psychology (Learning & Technology) December 2020
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Dissertation title: “Effects of curricular organization on cognitive load and student performance in online learning environments.” This study investigates patterns of online course content organization schemes and identifies how these patterns impact perceived cognitive load during educational tasks as well as student performance and time on task.
Major areas of study include educational psychology (cognitive load theory, multimedia learning theory, human-computer interaction) and statistical research.
MA, Educational Leadership (Educational Technology) June 2007
Gonzaga University, Spokane
Thesis title: “Developing technological professional development for higher education faculty.” This study examined characteristics of quality professional development for higher education online educators including identifying the basic functional skills that university faculty should possess in order successfully teach with Web-based instructional technology and how to most efficiently deliver suitable professional development to master these skills.
Bachelor of Arts in English Literature June 1982
University of California, Los Angeles
Professional Experience
Assistant Director, Academic Technology & User Services
Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington, October 2016 – Present
As the Assistant Director of Western Washington University’s Academic Technology & User Services (ATUS), I supervise six offices in ATUS under the umbrella of Teaching, Learning, and Technology. These offices are the Center for Instructional Innovation and Assessment, the Student Technology Center, Classroom Services, Learning Systems, Video Services, and the Digital Media Center.
Instructional Design Coordinator
University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, March 2012 – September 2016
The Instructional Design Coordinator works to ensure that quality online education classes are produced and supported in an effective and timely manner. The ID Coordinator supervises six full-time academic professional designers and collaborates with production and technical staff. The ID Coordinator has strong management skills and online education experience to promote best practices in instructional design and pedagogy; supports instructional designers and faculty through the course design and development stages; makes recommendations on instructional approaches; identifies and organizes resources for skill and knowledge development for OE faculty and instructional designers; and brings research-based perspectives to the art and science of instructional design.
Instructional Designer
University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, January 2011 – March 2012
Responsible for ongoing training and support for faculty who teach online. In collaboration with the Instructional Design team, this position assists faculty in the development of instructional materials through the selection, design, production and implementation of e-pedagogies. Responsibilities include: teaching various e-learning technologies to faculty including those used in learning management systems; collaboration with the instructional design team to identify objectives and offer instructional strategies based on analysis of client needs and goals; matching faculty instructional strengths and course objectives with appropriate technology and production methods; strong communication and interpersonal skills; effectively handle multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
University Instructor
University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, September 2010 – October 2016
Responsible for teaching “Interactive Media Design” and “Advanced Interactive Media Design” to undergraduate-level journalism students for the UNLV School of Journalism. These classes introduce online strategies (such as blogging, Web design & development, social media, and online multimedia) to young journalists transitioning from print media to online news broadcasting.
Learning Technologies Specialist
University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, September 2006 – January 2011
Responsible for providing a variety of pedagogical and technological workshops for university faculty including traditional Web development, online teaching strategies, educational podcasting, use of clickers (personal response devices), online interactivity development, Web graphics, multimedia fundamentals, advanced PowerPoint, and more. Also responsible for maintaining the Teaching and Learning Center Web site and creating various Web-based applications, including a complete workshop registration system, consultation log, inventory log, and more.
Instructional Technologist / Online Learning Application Developer
Spokane Public Schools, Spokane, WA, February 2005 – September 2006
Responsible for many aspects of the online learning program including set up and configuration of the Blackboard learning management system, establishment of the educational templates upon which courses are built, staff and instructor training, development of all first-year promotional material, design of the program Web site (including all registration processes), and creation of several dozen online tutorials for staff and students (including an entire orientation course). Also responsible for all learning interaction development using such tools as Flash, Captivate, Camtasia, and more.
Web/CD Architect
Educational Service District 101, Spokane, WA, February 2000 – August 2004
Responsible for design and development of existing and new ESD 101-related Web sites, as well as creating informational and interactive educational CD-ROMs that complement the broadcast and on-line course of the STEP Star Network. Maintain and install all ESD 101 Web servers including servers for the ESD 101 Web hosting project. Also responsible for CD-ROM authoring and duplication, graphics design, learning interaction development, 3D modeling, and Flash animations.
Instructor
Webster University, Airway Heights, WA, October 1999 – June 2002
Responsible for teaching Management of Information Science master’s level courses to students at Fairchild Air Force Base. Curriculum included computer programming, computer applications essentials, Web development, Internet basics, networking essentials, and computer security. Developed class Web sites as supplements to traditional class materials.
Instructor
Spokane Community College, Spokane, WA, September 1998 – February 2000
Responsible for teaching college-level Networking Essentials (MCSE certification training), Windows NT Administration (MCSE certification training), Visual Basic programming, JavaScript, ActiveX, Web-based multimedia, desktop publishing, essential computer applications and more. Duties also include designing and implementing Web-based curriculum.
Instructor/Instructional Technician
Spokane Falls Community College, Spokane, WA, January 1998 – September 1998
Responsible for teaching internet basics, essential computer applications, keyboarding/word processing, business communications and business correspondence in a community college environment. Duties also included designing Web-based supplements to traditional curriculum.
Past Experience
First Links Project Coordinator
Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA, October 1996 – March 1998
Responsible for all aspects of project administration and coordination including grant writing and donor identification, conference/seminar organizing, purchasing and public relations and publicity. Job duties also required extensive technical skills including Windows NT 4.0 server setup and administration, E-mail server setup and maintenance, listserv establishment and web site creation. Additional duties included establishing ISDN connections between elementary schools and the University as well as acting as webmaster for the entire GU School of Education.
Full-Time Teacher
Glendale Unified School District, Glendale, CA, September 1995 – August 1996
Responsible for teaching introduction to computer classes as well as establishing computer animation courses as part of the Visual and Performing Arts program. Member of the school technology committee as well as acting representative of the district-wide technology committee. Also responsible for teaching English as a second language grammar and literature classes to Armenian-Russian immigrant students.
Full-Time Teacher
Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles, CA, September 1987 – August 1995
Responsible for teaching Honors English Composition, Journalism, and Yearbook Production.
Research
Wilder, M. & Bernacki, M.L. (2014). “The Need for Learning Analytics Resources at UNLV: Report to the Office of the Vice
Provost for Academic Affairs.” Report prepared for the UNLV Office of the Vice Provost of Academic Affairs.
Bernacki, M.L. & Wilder, M. (2013). “An assessment of the potential benefits of Blackboard Analytics for Learn: Meeting the needs
of administrators, instructors and researchers.” White paper for the UNLV Office of the Vice Provost of Academic Affairs.
Wilder, M. (2013). “Evaluation of UNLV’s Hybrid Learning Program.” Program evaluation prepared for the UNLV Office of
Online Education.
Wilder, M. (2013). “UNLV Personal Response System (“Clickers”) Working Group Report.” Report prepared for the University of
Nevada, Las Vegas, Office of the Provost.
Courses Taught
JOUR 333 – Introduction to Interactive Media Design, September 2010 to September 2016
University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, (fully online)
JOUR 444 – Advanced Interactive Media Design, September 2010 to September 2016
University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, (fully online)
ITM 5100 – Information and Communications Systems and Networks, October 1999 – June 2002
Webster University, Fairchild Air Force Base, Airway Heights, WA
Windows NT Administration, September 1998 – February 2000
Spokane Community College, Spokane, WA
JavaScript, September 1998 – February 2000
Spokane Community College, Spokane, WA
Introductory Flash Design, September 1998 – February 2000
Spokane Community College, Spokane, WA
VisualBasic Programming, September 1998 – February 2000
Spokane Community College, Spokane, WA
Professional Presentations
National
Applying Gamification Principles to Online Faculty Professional Development
Wilder, M. (October 30, 2014), Online Learning Consortium Annual Conference, Orlando, FL
http://goo.gl/RfXHRH
Leveraging Analytics to Improve Online Learning (poster)
Wilder, M. (November 2013), WCET 25th Annual Conference, Denver, CO
http://goo.gl/LjlBZP
Got Leadership? IELOL Graduates Share Insights Into Development of Leadership in Online Learning
Jensen, A., Powell, T., Wilder, M., Jacobson, K. (November 2013), 19th Annual Sloan Consortium International
Conference on Online Learning, Orlando, FL. http://goo.gl/9vS7EW
Learning About Program Evaluation by Doing Program Evaluation
Hall, G., Nourse, D., Keller, S., Wilder, M., Sparkman, B. (October 2013), Northern Rocky Mountain Educational
Research Association (NRMERA) annual conference, Jackson, WY. http://goo.gl/7gilQ6
Building Online Learning Communities with Multiuser Blogging Environments
Wilder, M. (July 2012), SLOAN-C Emerging Technologies for Online Education, Las Vegas, NV
http://goo.gl/s8y6v1
SCORM-Compliant Learning Interactions Made Easy (poster)
Wilder, M. (March 2006), Blackboard World ’06, San Diego, California
Local / Regional
Collaborative Decision-Making for Higher Education Learning Management Systems
Wilder, M. (April 18, 2018), Northwest Managers of Educational Technology Conference
https://youtu.be/Yx6JCgkpVGM
https://bit.ly/2MbIMzL
Leveraging Canvas Quiz Analysis to Improve Your Online Assessments
Wilder, M. & Brown, J. (March 29, 2018), Washington Annual Canvas Conference
https://bit.ly/2nvZNqJ
The Future of Classroom Presentation: Beyond Interactive Whiteboards
Wilder, M. (March 17, 2017), Washington State Higher Education Building Bridges Technology Conference
https://bit.ly/2vyZcZr
Introduction to Online Course Peer Review
Wilder, M. (May 2, 2017), Western Washington University
https://www.slideshare.net/m1ch43lw1ld3r/introduction-to-online-course-peer-review
Effective Online Teaching
Wilder, M & Suba, R. (October 10, 2015), UNLV Graduate Student Workshop
Understanding Student Learning Management Systems and Basic Analytics
Wilder, M. and Bernacki, M. (April 13, 2014), Nevada Conference on Digital Learning, Las Vegas, NV
http://goo.gl/gQVWW2
Applying Gamification Principles to Online Faculty Professional Development
Wilder, M. and Stimpson, K. (April 12, 2014), Nevada Conference on Digital Learning, Las Vegas, NV
http://goo.gl/DJXf2j
Theorizing Digital Learning
Bernacki, M., Wilder, M. and Hartley, K. (April 12, 2014), Nevada Conference on Digital Learning, Las Vegas, NV
http://goo.gl/Rf0Hy6
Exploding the Boundaries of Time and Space:
How GPS-enabled Mobile Devices are Changing How We See and Learn
Wilder, M. (October 2013), 12th Convergence Conference: Beyond Convergence, Las Vegas, NV
Facilitating Learning Through Social Media
Wilder, M. (November 2009), Florida State College, Jacksonville, FLA
Best Practices for Podcasting in Higher Education
Wilder, M. (June 2009), Innovations in e-Learning Symposium, Fairfax, Virginia
Harnessing the Power of Social Media to Increase Community of Learning in Higher Education
Wilder, M. (February 2009), Virtual Worlds and Interpretative Communities, Las Vegas, NV
Podcasting for Faculty: Best Practices for Podcasting in Education
Wilder, M. (August 2008), New Media Expo, Las Vegas, NV
Commercial vs. Open Source Learning Management Systems: Weighing the Issues
Wilder, M. (July 2008), OSCELOT Open Source Day III, Las Vegas, NV
Web Application Development using Dreamweaver, PHP, and MySQL
Wilder, M. (February 2007), Northwest Council for Computer Education, Spokane, WA
Web Application Development using Dreamweaver, PHP, and MySQL
Wilder, M. (February 2006), Northwest Council for Computer Education, Portland, Oregon
Open Source in Education
Wilder, M. (April 2005), Linuxfest Northwest, Bellingham, Washington
Beyond HTML: Harnessing the power of open source solutions for education
Wilder, M. (April 2004), Northwest Council for Computer Education, Spokane, Washington
Webinars
Preparing to teach an online course
Wilder, M. & Armitage, S. (November 14, 2014). Research and Teaching at UNLV series
http://goo.gl/s8y6v1
Best practices series: Preparing for a new semester
Wilder, M., Armitage, S, Aqui, Y., & Bock, S., (May 9, 2014), UNLV office of Online Education
Developing flexible online courses
Lusty, H., Wilcoxon, K, & Wilder, M. (January 23, 2014), UNLV office of Online Education
Mapping it out: Writing clear, measurable course learning objectives
Bubb, D., Wilder, M., & Suba, R. (January 15, 2014), UNLV office of Online Education
Quality Matters: What is it and how can it improve your online course
Wilder, M., Suba, R., & Wilcoxon, K. (April 30, 2013), UNLV office of Online Education
Organizational models in online education
Wilder, M. (March 10, 2013), UNLV office of Online Education
Jumpstart mobile learning in your online and blended courses
Wilder, M. & Stimpson, K (April 2012). International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL)
http://goo.gl/s8y6v1
Awards
The Sloan-C Effective Practices Award, 2013
“Multiuser blogging as an educational innovation”
SLOAN-C Institute for Emerging Leadership in Online Learning program (IELOL), 2011
This competitive, six-week intensive program for management focused on key leadership challenges in the field of online education.
Certifications
User Experience certification (with specialization in User Research)
Nielsen/Norman Group
Quality Matters certification:
- Master Reviewer
- Peer Reviewer
- Online Facilitator
- Publisher Peer Reviewer
- Continuing and Professional Education Peer Reviewer
Service
Internal Advisory Committee, UNLV Office of Online Education, 2015-2016
Conference Track Chair, Online Learning Consortium, Blended Learning Conference, 2015
Faculty Technology Advisory Board, committee member, UNLV, 2014-2015
Course Management System Coordinating Committee, Committee member, UNLV, 2013-2015
Conference Track Chair, Online Learning Consortium, Blended Learning Conference, 2014
Committee Chair, Instructional Designer Hiring Committee, 2014-2016
Associations
American Educational Research Association
Educause
International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
Merlot
New Media Consortium
Online Learning Consortium
Professional & Organizational Development Network in Higher Education (POD)
Quality Matters
WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies (WCET)