Tutaleni Iita Asino

Researcher

Designer

Educator

Welcome to my ideas space

I post on things I am thinking about, reading, writing and researching. Often these are unfiltered thoughts and works in progress. In other words, my thoughts & ideas are perpetually under construction. Some are posted quickly and will probably have spelling and grammatical errors (sorry about that)….try to look beyond that and lets engage.

My areas of research, writing & presentations revolve around diffusion of innovations in teaching and learning, Mobile Learning, Design for Mobile Devices, Indigenous knowledge, Comparative International Education, and the role of culture in the development and evaluation of learning technologies.

“I am not a prisoner of history.

I should not seek there for the meaning of my destiny…

In the world through which I travel, I am endlessly creating myself.”

(Frantz Fanon, 1952).

About

Positionality

I spend most of my time with one foot on the Afrikan continent in Namibia, the other on the North American continent in the USA and my arms are stretched out to the world and beyond. As such I am a comparativist, concerned not just with how “things” impact me and the immediate community in which I find myself, but believing that knowing how others do, view, and see things, significantly helps me better understand myself and the world in which I travel.

I am continuously developing and (re)formulating myself and my identity. I take solace and guidance from the likes of Kwame Nkrumah in my empathic belief that “I am not African because I was born in Africa but because Africa was born in me.” I am not merely where I was born, where I come from, my race, gender or my educational qualifications. All those characteristics and many others form who I am and are a building block of the future me. Like Frantz Fanon, I believe that I am not a prisoner of my history, my origin or my abstract destination. I am but a traveler and “In the world through which I travel, I am endlessly creating myself. I am a part of Being to the degree that I go beyond it.” I say all of this not to construct a treatise on identity, my personal philosophy, nor justification (apology). I write this because I believe in openness, and I want to be upfront about who I am; the me that I know as of the moment I post this.

Academically Speaking…

My areas of research, writing & presentations revolve around emerging technologies in education; diffusion of mobile devices in teaching and learning; Mobile Learning; Design for Mobile Devices; Indigenous knowledge; Openness (access, education, resources, pedagogy); Comparative International Education; and the role of culture in the development and evaluation of learning technologies.

Currently, I am at Carnegie Mellon University as Co-Director, Learning Sciences for Innovators Program and Special Faculty in the Human-Computer Interaction Institute. Prior to joining the LSFI program, I was a tenured Associate Professor of Learning, Design, and Technology and the Director of the Emerging Technologies And Creativity Research Lab in the College of Education and Human Sciences at Oklahoma State University. I graduated with a dual-title doctoral degree in Learning, Design, and Technology in the Learning and Performance Systems department and in Comparative and International Education Program in the Department of Policy Studies at Penn State University. I hold a Master of Science in Instructional Systems and Technology from Cabrini College, Master of Science in Multimedia Technology, Master of Arts in Corporate Communication, Bachelor Arts in Media Studies and Political Science from Duquesne University.

This website is a space to share my thoughts and to engage in conversations

7 Comments

Emmanuel T. 18:33 26/03/2020 Reply

Wow. I’m very impressed with your credentials. I am a masters student in Education in the University of Yaounde 1, Cameroon. My major worry has always been the digital gap between Africa and the rest of the World. I’m hoping my thesis foe masters shall be on the urgent need for integrating ICT in education in Cameroon schools.
I pray I get to know you more and to learn from you. You inspire me. I will be glad to learn from you.

tutaleni 02:45 13/04/2020 Reply

Thanks Emmanuel, I look forward to reading your thesis.

Festus P. Asino 19:18 06/08/2020 Reply

All the best there. I am first year law student was searching some information on the internet and I come across someone with my surname doing really great I the academic field. I am inspired.
Elena Gao 01:52 22/03/2023 Reply

Hello, Dr. Asino. I am a masters student in translation from China. I’m translating your “Learning in the Digital Age” into Chinese as my graduation project. I hope I can get your permission and encouragement.

tutaleni 19:15 07/03/2024 Reply

Hi Elena, I am looking forward to learning about how you finish your translation project.

Thomas k. Thomas 21:21 16/10/2023 Reply

I must surely submit that I am thrilled to have come across, a like-minded person. Who sees the loopholes in our education system? I am Thomas, studying towards a bachelor’s degree in Education. As an incoming src for external affairs at the University of Namibia. I am looking forward to more engagement and discussion regarding reforming and restructuring our education system.

tutaleni 19:14 07/03/2024 Reply

Thank you for visiting Thomas!

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Research

Instructional Design Competencies Study

This study explores the issues, challenges, and emerging trends affecting instructional designers today. We are interesting in finding out if ID competencies have changed especially in light of new technologies and practices.

Popya: Using mobile phone for speaking and listening fluency.

We are working on a system that can allow users from places where English is not a native langue but is the language of instruction. Popya is a low-end, low-cost and an open-source Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system which can be used to deliver English listening and speaking fluency practice activities to students and teachers.

Learners as designers

I agree with Victor Papanek (1971)’s argument that we are all we are all designers because design is a basic human activity that we engage in all the time. This is especially true when it comes to young children whose day is spent in all types of design activities that adults often refer to as “made up games”.

iPad in various contexts

I took an iPad with me while traveling to Namibia to do research on the use of mobile phones by students in Namibia. At the time of my trip, the iPad had just been released in the US and was not available internationally.

MLearning village
This blog details 2 research projects I worked on in July 2011 in Namibia.

Project 1: Adopting mLearning applications in education: The experience of Namibian Students and Teachers (with funding support from the Africana Research Centre and the Comparative International Education program).

Project 2: Exploring student’s experience with the iPod (with technology support from the Penn State Education Technology Services)

My teaching Philosophy continues to evolve…

…but I know that it is heavily informed by social-cultural and constructivist perspectives. I believe that students are not passive receivers of information; rather they construct knowledge through experiences and interpret it through individual cultural understandings. This belief led me to conclude that learning is an interactive partnership involving students, teachers, tools, and the environment, where one of my primary responsibilities as a teacher is to share my understanding and excitement so that students develop or enrich their own understanding about the subject.

Teaching should employ various methods, to facilitate understanding. This is important given that students bring different tools and strategies to the classroom, that teachers must strive to incorporate. As a comparative international education researcher, I often include content from various countries/cultures and also use international data and case studies to encourage students to incorporate cross cultural perspectives in their learning. This reflects my philosophical belief that learning of others leads to reflection on ones practices thereby helping improve systems.

Although emerging technologies are changing the understanding of who counts as students, what learning tools are, and where learning occurs, a successful learning environment is that in which students feel supported in their pursuits because the facilitator has set the expectation of mutual and self-respect.

Vita

TUTALENI I. ASINO
CURRICULUM VITA

EDUCATION

Dual-Title PhD; Learning, Design, and Technology & Comparative and International Education
The Pennsylvania State University
Co- Chairs: Dr. Simon Hooper & Dr. Ladislaus Semali

Master of Science; Instructional Systems and Technology,
Cabrini College

Master of Arts; Corporate Communication;
Master of Science, Multimedia Technologies
Bachelor of Arts, Media Studies & Political Science
Duquesne University

APPOINTMENTS

Carnegie Mellon University

Co-Director, Learning Sciences for Innovators Program
Special Faculty
Human-Computer Interaction Institute (2024 – Present)

Special Faculty
Human-Computer Interaction Institute (2024 – Present)

Oklahoma State University

Associate Professor, Learning, Design, and Technology, School of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Aviation (2020 – 2024)

Director, Emerging Technologies and Creativity Research Lab, College of Education, Health and Aviation, (2018 – 2024)

Assistant Professor, Educational Technology, School of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Aviation (2015 – 2020)

Affiliated Faculty, School of International Studies (2016 – 2018)

Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP)

Visiting Professor (Summer 2017, Summer 2023)

Namibia Institute of Public Admin and Management (NIPAM)

Scholar in Residence (Summer 2016)

AWARDS

2017 – Best Round table Paper from the AECT division of Organizational Training and Performance (The Multimedia Principle: A Meta-Analysis on the Multimedia Principle in Computer-Based Training).

2016 – Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars

2013 – National Science Foundation Early Career Award, Association for Educational Communications & Technology (AECT)

2012 – AECT Cochran Intern

2011 – Presidential Award for outstanding service to AECT

2011 – R.W. “Buddy” Burniske” Award by the International Division of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT)

2011 – Ralph T. Heimer Award – For outstanding achievement by a doctoral candidate enrolled in Instructional Systems. Awarded by College of Education, Penn State University

2000 – Beard Award for Leadership and Ethics, Duquesne University

PUBLICATIONS – 2018

2018Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

Bayeck, R. Y., Asino, T. I. & Young, P. A. (2018). Representations of Africans in Popular Video Games in the U.S. Journal For Virtual Worlds Research, 11(2).

Boer, P. J., & Asino, T. I. (2018). Kopano Virtual Forum: Using Cultural Norms to Develop Online Communities of Practice Environments. TechTrends, 1-11.

Krutka, D. G., Asino, T.I. & Haselwood, S. (2018). #OklaEd and the #OklaEdWalkout: Eight Lessons on Networked Teacher Activism. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education, 18(2)

Dickson-Deane, C. & Asino, T.I. (2018) Don’t Forget, Instructional Design Is About Problem Solving. Educause review, available at https://er.educause.edu/blogs/2018/3/dont-forget-instructional-design-is-about-problem-solving

Cooper, M & Asino, T.I. (2018) Web-Based Training in the Rural Fire Service. Firehouse April 2018 pp. 84-87.

Asino, T. I. (2018). Technology Integration through genuine Partnership. In Abrams, S. S., Chen, J., and Downton, M. Managing Educational Technology: School Partnerships & Technology Integration. (pp. 28-31). London: Routledge.

PAPERS/PRESENTATIONS AT PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS – 2018

Asino, T.I., Alvarado-Albertorio, F., Essmiller, K., Xiu, Y., Chaivisit, S, Kim, Y., & Stansberry, S. (2018, October). ETS-The Oklahoma State University Emerging Technologies Creativity and Research Lab. Presented at the Association for Educational Communications and Technology Annual Conference. Kansas City, Missouri, USA.

Asino, T.I., Dousay, T.A., Weible, J. L., & Essmiller, K. (2018, October). Networking Tips and Tricks?. Presented at the Association for Educational Communications and Technology Annual Conference. Kansas City, Missouri, USA.

Sarsar, F, Asino, T.I., & Brown III, W. (2018, October). When Culture Meets Peer to Peer Teaching. Presented at the Association for Educational Communications and Technology Annual Conference. Kansas City, Missouri, USA.

Subramony, D. P.; Bradshaw, A. C; Asino, T.I., & Young, P. (2018, October). Addressing “Culture” in Educational Technology Scholarship and Practice. Presented at the Association for Educational Communications and Technology Annual Conference. Kansas City, Missouri, USA.

Wilson, B. G., Asino, T.I., Lowenthal, P. R., & McDonald, J. K. (2018, October). Becoming Learning Designers: A Journey for New Professionals (with Help from Academic Programs). Presented at the Association for Educational Communications and Technology Annual Conference. Kansas City, Missouri, USA.

Dallinger, T. & Asino, T.I. (2018, October). Design of an Instrument Measuring P-12 Teachers’ Cognitive Load and Intent to Adopt Technology. Presented at the Association for Educational Communications and Technology Annual Conference. Kansas City, Missouri, USA.

Akgun, M., Tietjen, P. & Asino, T.I. (2018, October). Engaging with learners as designers in an Information, Science and Technology Course. Presented at the Association for Educational Communications and Technology Annual Conference. Kansas City, Missouri, USA.

Asino, T. I. (2018, July). Keynote Address: Bridging Afrikan and global perspectives about technology in education. Presented at e/Merge Africa Learning Festival Conference.

Asino, T. I., Thompson, P., & Essmiller, K. (2018, April). Nerds and Artsy-Fartsies Unite! Applying a Maker’s Lens to K–12 Computer Education. Presented at the American Educational Research Association. (AERA) Annual Conference, New York, NY, USA.

Krutka, D. G., Haselwood, S., & Asino, T.I., (2018, April). #OklaEd as an Illustrative Example of the Power and Fragility of Networked Teacher Activism. Presented at the American Educational Research Association. (AERA) Annual Conference, New York, NY, USA.

Asino, T. I. & Anagiotos, C. (2018, March). Twitter and Indigenous knowledge representation. Presented at the Comparative and International Education Society (CIES) Annual Conference, Mexico City, Mexico.

Fulgencio, J. & Asino, T.I. (2018, October). Exploring Sustainability of OER in Higher Education. Presented at the the 15^th Annual Open Education Conference. Niagara Falls, New York, USA.

Asino, T. I. (2018, March). Wielding the power of social media for scientific scholarship and advocacy. Presented at the 255th American Chemical Society National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, USA.

Dousay, T. A., Asino, T.I., Luo,T., Krutka, D. G., Greenhalgh,S., Rodesiler, L, Walster, D. (2018, March). Social Media & Teacher Professional Development. Presented at the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE) Annual Conference, Washington, DC, USA.

Dousay, T. A., Wolf, L.G., Green, L., & Asino, T.I., Luo,T.; Krutka, D. G.; Greenhalgh,S.; Rodesiler, L; Walster, D. (2018, March). Rise of the “Teacher Influencers”: Examining the benefits and conundrums. Presented at the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE) Annual Conference, Washington, DC, USA.

Pastore, R., Briskin, J., Asino, T. I. (2018, March). The Effects of the Multimedia, Modality, and Redundancy Principles in a Computer Based Environment on Adult Learners. Presented at the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE) Annual Conference, Washington, DC, USA.

Pulay, A., & Asino, T.I. (2018, March). A Pilot Study Examining Student Opinions of Classroom Furniture for Collaborative Technology Use. Presentation at the Annual Conference of the Interior Design Educators Council. Boston, MA.

Pulay, A., Tripp, P., Asino, T.I., & Chandrasekera, T., (2018, March). A Pilot Study Examining Classroom Lighting on Teacher Productivity. Annual Conference of the Interior Design Educators Council, Boston, MA.

GRANTS

2014 – Africana Research Center Student Grant
Research Title: ““Factors That Influence Diffusion of Mobile Devices in Higher Education in Botswana and Namibia.” Awarded by the Africana Research Center, Penn State University, University Park, PA
Grant Amount Awarded: $2,000

2011 – Africana Research Center Student Grant
Research Title: “Adopting mLearning applications in education: The experience of Namibian Students and Teachers.” Awarded by the Africana Research Center, Penn State University, University Park, PA
Grant Amount Awarded: $2,000

2011 – CIED Student Research Grant
Research Title: “Adopting mLearning applications in education: The experience of Namibian Students and Teachers.” Awarded by the Comparative and International Education program, Penn State University, University Park, PA
Grant Amount Awarded: $850

2010 – CIED Student Research Grant
Research Title: “mLearning in Namibia: leveraging usage patterns to improve design, usability and user experiences” Awarded by the Comparative and International Education program, Penn State University, University Park, PA
Grant Amount Awarded: $2000

SERVICE

Profession

Association for Education Communications and Technology (AECT)

2018-2019: Past-President, Culture, Learning and Technology Division

2017-2018: President, Culture, Learning and Technology Division

2016-2017: President Elect & Conference Planner, Culture, Learning and Technology Division

2016-2017: Division of Culture, Learning and Technology President Elect & Conference Planner

2015-2017: Awards Committee Member

2016-Present: e/Merge Africa Conference Planner

2015-Present: eLearning Africa Conference Planner

2011-12: Graduate Student Assembly Past-President

2010-11: Graduate Student Assembly President & President-Elect, Conference Planner

2009-10: Graduate Student Assembly President-Elect & Conference Planner

Comparative International Society Conference (CIES)

2012-Present: Indigenous Knowledge and the Academy (IKA) SIG Chair

2017 Joyce Cain Award Chair

2016-17: SIG Oversight Committee Member

2012-Present: Conference Planner & Proposal Reviewer

Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education Conference 2016

2016-2017: African Perspectives SIG Chair

2016-Present: Social Media SIG Member

Service to Journals

2017: Editor, Special Issue: FIRE: Forum for International Research in Education (In preparation)

2017: Co-Editor, Special Issue: Culture, Learning and Technology, TechTrends

2017: Co-Editor, Special Issue: Social Media and Emerging Spaces for Professional Development, TechTrends

2017-Present: Reviewer, Education and Self Development Journal

2016-Present: Reviewer, Journal of Formative Design in Learning

2014-Present: Reviewer, The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning (IRRODL)

2013-15: Positing the Future Column Editor, TechTrends

University

Oklahoma State University

Educational Media and Technology Student Association Advisor

Sexual Violence Prevention Committee Member

University textbook affordability Committee Member

Student Affairs Committee, College of Education, Health and Aviation Member

School of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Aviation RPT taskforce Member

School of Educational Studies Student Affairs committee, School of Educational Studies Member

EHA Scholarship

College of Education, Health and Aviation International Advisory Council Member

Penn State University

Comparative International Education Program Review Taskforce

President & Past President, Penn State International Education Student Association (IESA)

Graduate Symposium planning committee, College of Information Science and Technology

Cabrini College

College Strategic Planning Committee

College Diversity Committee

Cabrini College & Catholic Relief Services Partnership

Community Outreach Services

2017-Present: Application reader and reviewer, US State Department, Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders

2015-16: Co-Moderator & Coordinator, #AECTchat Twitter chat

2016: Guest Moderator, #oklaed Twitter chat

MEMBERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT), 2009 – present

Comparative International Education Society (CIES), 2009 – present

The American Educational Research Association (AERA), 2011 – present

Resources

Below are some useful sites I found while procrastinating….I mean being productive on line:

Instructional Design Related

http://www.instructionaldesigncentral.com/

PhD Journey

http://www.phdcomics.com/

Resources on Mobile Learning

mLearnopedia – http://mlearnopedia.com/
A website on mobile lifestyles and technologies
Most mobile – http://jonathandonner.com/ – Research and discussion by Jonathan Donnera researcher in the Technology for Emerging Markets Group at Microsoft Research India in Bangalore.
The International Association for Mobile Learning (IAMLearn) – http://mlearning.noe-kaleidoscope.org/ – an organization to promote excellence in research, development and application of mobile and contextual learning.
MOBIlearn – http://www.mobilearn.org/index.php – a research and development project exploring context-sensitive approaches to informal, problem-based and workplace learning by using key advances in mobile technologies.

Design Resources

Interactions Magazine – http://interactions.acm.org/index.php
Small Surfaces – http://www.smallsurfaces.com/
– Small Surfaces is a site about design for mobile technology.
Interaction-Design.org? – http://www.interaction-design.org/
– Interaction-Design.org makes research accessible on Interaction Design, User Experience (UX), Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Information Architecture (IA), Human Factors, Usability, and related fields.
Design Issues – http://www.mitpressjournals.org/loi/desi
– The first American academic journal to examine design history, theory, and criticism, Design Issues provokes inquiry into the cultural and intellectual issues surrounding design.

Articles to Read

A Guide to UX Design and Design Thinking for Kids – https://praxent.com/blog/ux-design-thinking-for-kids-guide