Research Interests

 

Research on Design, Digital Inclusion, Teachers as Change Agents, Equitable Education, Social Informatics 

 

Education

 

Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana, USA​ (2012 - present)

PhD in Instructional Systems Technology 

Minor in Social Informatics

Advisory Committee: Elizabeth Boling, Curtis J. Bonk, Barbara Dennis, Erik Stolterman

Dissertation Topic: Making do: A multiple case study on the designerly thinking and actions of primary teachers in under-resourced schools in Bhutan.

 

The University of Texas at El Paso, Texas, USA​ (2008 - 2009)

MA in Teacher Education

Minor in Education Technology

Masters' Thesis Topic: Bridging the digital divide: Infusing digital storytelling to improve literacy instruction among students in rural Bhutan

 

AMA Computer University, Quezon City, Philippines​ (2001 - 2005)

BS in Information Technology

BS Thesis Topic: Online catalog of children’s statistics for the Barbara Micarelli Street Children Foundation.

 

Professional Experience

 

Sr. Instructional Designer​, The Center for Advancing Teaching and Learning, The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, WI, USA (2016 - present)

~ consult with faculty in design of online and blended courses

~ provide trainings and workshops related to teaching and learning, instructional design, and cultural competency.

~ designed and coordinated academies related to online and blended learning for faculty

​

Instructional Consultant​, The University of Texas at El Paso, Instructional Support Services, TX, USA (2010 - 2012)

~ collaborated with faculty in instructional design and development of online and blended courses

~ developed e-learning materials adherent to universal design

~ designed and coordinated academies and workshops related to online and blended learning for faculty

~ researched on the efficacy of social media tools to create innovative teaching and learning spaces

 

Research Assistant​, The University of Texas at El Paso, TX, USA (2008 - 2009)

~ evaluation of alumni and student data

~ qualitative and ethnographic assessment of data

~ research and report writing

 

Software Engineer​, Bhutan Telecom Limited, Thimphu, Bhutan (2005-2008)

~ developed the Telecom Web portal

~ installed of CISCO networking telecom offices to main office

~ developed the Closed Users Group marketing package

 

Information Technology Consultant, United Nations Development Programme, Thimphu, Bhutan (2005)

~ built Web modules for the e-documentation project

~ developed the United Nations Country Team website

~ worked on creating a meeting management system

 

Awards & Scholarships

 

School of Education Dissertation Award (1000 USD), 2016

Jerrold E. Kemp IST Research Award (3500 USD), 2015

L.C. Larson IST Professional Development Award (500 USD), 2015

IST Faculty Doctoral Fellowship, 2012-present

PEO International Womens Peace Scholarship (7000 USD), 2012

School of Education Dean's Research Grant (3000 USD), 2008

Netherlands Fellowship Programme, 2007

Dean's Lister, AMA Compter University, 2004

 

Publications

 

Gyabak, K., & Leftwich, T. A., & Ray, J. T. (2015). Teachers Using Designerly Thinking in K-12 Online Course Design, Journal of Online Learning Research. , 1(3), 253-274.

 

Boling, E., Gray, C., Dagli, C., Demiral-Uzan, M., Ergulec, F., Tan, V., Altuwaijri, A., Gyabak, K., Hilligoss, M., Kizilboga, R., & Tomita, K. (2015). Judgment and Instructional Design: How ID Practitioners Work In Practice, Performance Improvement Quarterly. *Journal Accepted for Publication

 

Gyabak, K., & Godina, H. (2011). Digital storytelling in Bhutan: A qualitative examination of new media tools used to bridge the digital divide in a rural community school, Computers & Education. doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2011.06.009​

 

Gyabak, K. (2009). Bridging the digital divide: Infusing digital storytelling to improve literacy instruction among students in rural Bhutan. ETD Collection for University of Texas, El Paso. Paper AAI1465253. http://digitalcommons.utep.edu/dissertations/AAI1465253

 

Conference Presentations

 

Sabir, N., Gyabak, K. , & Bonk, C. J. (2015). Exploring the Impact of Teacher Experiences on Technology-Enhanced Collaborative Global Classrooms, Poster is accepted and will be presented at the Annual Conference of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago, Illinois.

 

Gyabak, K., Sabir, N., & Bonk, C. J. (2014). Exploring the Impact of Teacher Experiences on Technology-Enhanced Collaborative Global Classrooms, Paper presented at the Global Education Conference.

 

Gyabak, K., Leftwich, T. A., Ray, T (2014). Teacher as a Designer: Deconstructing the Design Process in K-12 Online Course Design, In Proceedings of The Annual Conference on Distance Teaching & Learning. Jacksonville, Florida. 

 

Gyabak, K., & Leftwich, T. A. (2014). Teacher as a Designer: Deconstructing the Design Process in K-12 Online Course Design, In Proceedings of The Annual Conference on Distance Teaching & Learning. Madison, Wisconsin. Available online at http://www.uwex.edu/disted/conference/Proceedings_2014.pdf

 

Gyabak, K. (2012). Digital storytelling and its implications on bi-literacy development in Bhutan. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the American Educational Research Association, Vancouver, Canada.

 

Gyabak, K., & Godina, H. (2012). New media tools for bridging the digital divide: Access and cultural change in rural Bhutan. Paper was presented at the Annual Conference of the American Educational Research Association, Vancouver, Canada.

 

Gyabak, K., Hernandez, D., & Palsole, S. (2011). Learning beyond the classroom: Fostering knowledge societies using social networking sites. Proceedings of World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education. Chesapeake, VA: AACE.

 

Gyabak, K., & Solis, G. (2011). An evaluation on the efficacy of social networking tools to enhancing active learning and promoting lifelong learners in online graduate nursing education. Proceedings of World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education. Chesapeake, VA: AACE.

 

Godina, H., Gyabak, K. (2011). Implementing new media tools for the bilingual classroom: Using a digital storytelling approach for English language learners. Paper was presented at the Texas Association of Bilingual Education 2011 Annual Conference. McAllen, TX.

 

Gyabak, K., & Solis, G. (2011). Exploring social media: Enhancing active learning in online nursing education. Paper was presented at the IOL Conference for the Innovations in Online Learning Conference, San Antonio, TX.

 

Gyabak, K., & Godina, H. (2011). Digital storytelling in Bhutan: Bridging the digital divide in a rural community school. Paper was presented at the Annual Conference of the American Educational Research Association, New Orleans, LA.

 

Gyabak, K., & Godina, H. (2011). Enhancing classroom instruction with digital storytelling. Paper was presented at the SUN Conference for the International Conference on Teaching and Learning, El Paso, TX.

 

Solis, G. & Gyabak, K. (2011). Adventure web 2.0: Exploring the possibilities of new media tools in creating dynamic & engaging online learning experiences. Paper was presented at the SUN Conference for the International Conference on Teaching and Learning, El Paso, TX.

 

Gyabak, K. & Schmoelz, A. (2010). Adventure web 2.0: Exploring the possibilities of new media tools in creating dynamic & engaging online learning experiences. In J. Sanchez & K. Zhang (Eds.), Proceedings of World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2010 (pp. 1019-1023). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.

 

Godina, H., Gyabak, K. (2009). Digital storytelling and global literacy instruction among students in Bhutan: Bridging the digital divide in a rural community. Panel presentation at the National Reading Conference. Albuquerque, NM.

 

Gyabak, K. (2009). Digital storytelling: Exploring a new literacy for rural schools in Bhutan. In T. Bastiaens et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2009 (pp. 2645-2650). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.

 

Godina, H.,Gyabak, K, Casillas, J. J., Prieto, R., & Quiroz, T. G. (2008). Globalization, identity and language diversity: Perspectives from future educators. Panel presentation at the Texas Association of Bilingual Education 2008 Annual Conference. Arlington, TX.

 

Invited Talks

 

Gyabak, K., & Ray,J. (2017). Teachers using designerly thinking in K-12 online course design. Invited webinar presentation at the Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute.

​

Gyabak, K. & Bazluki, M. (2016). Strategies for promoting a learner-centered classroom. Invited talk at the Annual IPSE 2016 Fall Retreat. The University of Wisconsin La Crosse. Onalaska, WI.

​

Bazluki, M. & Gyabak, K. (2016). Building a community of inquiry and facilitating effective online discussions. Invited talk at the Annual IPSE 2016 Fall Retreat. The University of Wisconsin La Crosse. Onalaska, WI.

​

Gyabak, K. & Solis, G. (2012). Using social networking tools for engaging and measurable learning activities. Presentation for Teaching Enhancement Fridays Series at the University of Texas at El Paso, Texas, USA.

 

Gyabak, K. & Alvarez, J. (2011). Cloud presentations. Presentation for Teaching Enhancement Fridays Series at the University of Texas at El Paso, Texas, USA.

 

Gyabak, K. (2011). Gross national happiness: Contextualizing a national philosophy into everyday practice. Guest speaker on cultural awareness for the Bioinformatics Colloquium at the University of Texas at El Paso, Texas, USA.

 

Gyabak, K. (2009). Bhutan, the land of the thunder dragon. Guest speaker on cultural awareness for the Fort Bliss summer high school program at the University of Texas at El Paso, Texas, USA.

 

Gyabak, K. (2009). Buddhism in a modern day context. Guest speaker at Coronado High School at El Paso, Texas, USA.

 

Gyabak, K. (2009). Gross national happiness. Guest speaker at Eastwood High School at El Paso, Texas, USA.

 

Gyabak, K. (2008). Gross national happiness. Guest speaker at Wiggs High School in El Paso, Texas, USA.

 

Gyabak, K. (2006). Artificial intelligence. Keynote Presentation at ICT youth forum funded by the United Nations, on the theme “The future speaks for the future” in Thimphu, Bhutan.

 

Gyabak, K. (2004). Women in the IT industry. Invited guest speaker and organizer for a seminar for high school girls at the Iraya Study Center at Laguna, Philippines.

 

Teaching 

 

2015-Associate Instructor for W200: Computers in Education, Indiana University Bloomington, USA

 

2014-Associate Instructor for W200: Computers in Education, Indiana University Bloomington, USA

 

2014 Lecture on Digital Storytelling & New Media for Education Students, Indiana University Bloomington, USA

 

2013 Lecture on the Digital Divide in W200 Course, Indiana University Bloomington, USA

 

2013 Teaching Assistant Online Graduate R711 course, Indiana University Bloomington, USA

 

2013 Lecture on “Digital Divide in Bhutan” at Graduate Social Informatics Class, Indiana University, USA

 

2012 Lecture on Low-Threshold Applications, Teaching Enhancement Fridays, University of Texas at El Paso, USA

 

2011 Lecture on “ Gross National Happiness” at Bioinfomatics Colloquium, University of Texas at El Paso, USA

 

2011 Facilitator for Online Faculty Learning Community, University of Texas at El Paso, USA

 

2011 Facilitator for Digital Academy, University of Texas at El Paso, USA

 

2009 Facilitator for UTEACH Educational Engineering Workshop

 

2009 Teaching Digital Literacy to Fourth Grade Students, Batya Community School, Bhutan

 

2006 Keynote speaker on Artificial Intelligence, United Nations Conference for the Youth, Bhutan

 

Service

 

2015 Chair for roundtable session titled "Are We Ready for This? Addressing Racial and Cultural Difference in STEM Learning" at the Annual Conference of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago, Illinois.

2015 Discussant for paper session titled "Disclipinary Literacy Instruction" at the Annual Conference of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago, Illinois.

2014 Talk on Being a Sucessful Student for IST Graduate Student Orientation.

2012-2014 Distance education coordinatory and IST website manager.

2013 Assisted in analyzing data for IST Program Evaluation.

2013 IST representative at AECT conference.

2013 President, Graduate Students in Instructional Systems Technology.

2013 Professional Development Coordinator, IST Conference.

2012 Vice President Socials & Professional Development, Graduate Students in Instructional Systems TechnologyUniversity

2012 IST Graduate Professional Student Organization (GPSO) representativeNational/International Organizations

2012 Online Course Consulting, Center Grove High School, Indiana

2012 Discussant for paper session titled, "Digital Bilingualism & Biliteracy: Technology Innovations in Bilingual Education Research,"

2012 Discussant for Constructivism SIG at the Annual Conference of the American Educational Research Association, Vancouver, Canada.

2011 Reviewer for Computers and Education

2011 Reviewer for 2012 Annual Conference of the American Educational Research Association in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

2011 Presider for AACE, E-Learn.

2011 Program committee member for organizing 2012 IOL conference in San Antonio.

2010 Search committee for Educational Technology Faculty at the University of Texas at El Paso, USA.

2010 Presider for AACE, E-Learn.

2004 Organized a seminar on Information Communication Technologies and its Impact on the Local  Economy at AMA Computer University, Philippines.