Dr. Elena Novak

Elena Novak is an Associate Professor of Educational Technology at Kent State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Instructional Systems and Learning Technologies from Florida State University in 2012. Her research examines the intersections of design, technology, and learning. Elena’s current projects focus on the integration of learning technologies such as 3D printing, social robotics, video games, and simulations in teacher education to provide educators with research-informed guidelines on how to integrate technology in various educational settings. In addition, she is interested in how video games and game-like learning environments foster cognitive and motivational processes that enhance learning. Her recent collaboration with the Department of Computer Science has led to the development of the Computer Science endorsement and a $2,000,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Higher Education to support computer science education at Kent State University. Elena's research has been recognized with several international awards sponsored by the American Educational Research Association as well as the Association for Educational Communications and Technology. Elena is a consulting editor of Educational Technology Research & Development. Her work has been published in leading peer-reviewed international journals, such as Computers & Education, Computers in Human Behavior, The Internet & Higher Education, Educational Technology Research & Development, and British Journal of Educational Technology.