Dr. Elena Novak
Biography
Dr. Elena Novak is an Assistant Professor of Educational Technology at Kent State University, and program coordinator for the Educational Technology program. She earned her Ph.D. in Instructional Systems and Learning Technologies from Florida State University in 2012. Her research has been recognized with two international awards sponsored by the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT). Dr. Novak is a managing editor of Technology, Instruction, Cognition, and Learning (TICL), a Past Chair of the TICL Special Interest Group at the American Educational Research Association, and a consulting editor of Educational Technology Research & Development.
Dr. Novak has a B.A. with a double major in Computer Science & Economics and a Master’s in Economics. Her multidisciplinary academic background has contributed to the development of a research program that combines the implications of theoretical, practical, and technological approaches that help learners at different cognitive, knowledge, and motivational readiness levels to both excel in and enjoy their learning. Dr. Novak is interested in how video games and game-like learning environments foster cognitive and motivational processes that improve human performance and learning. She develops mathematical models that explain theoretical prepositions and serve as research and policy tools supporting more effective learning and instruction. In addition, her research examines integration of learning technologies in pre- and in-service teacher education. Dr. Novak’s work aims to provide educators with research-informed guidelines on how to integrate technology in elementary, secondary, and post-secondary education. Her research has been published in leading peer-reviewed international journals, such as Computers in Human Behavior, Educational Technology Research & Development, Computers & Education, British Journal of Educational Technology, Interacting with Computers, Learning and Individual Differences, Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, and Interactive Learning Environments.
Dr. Novak participated in the development of graduate and undergraduate curricula in Educational Technology at Kent State University and in Instructional Design at Western Kentucky University. She has taught undergraduate and graduate online courses in Trends in Educational Technology, Designing Multimedia for Instruction, Distance Education, Instructional Design, Teaching Online Courses, Instructional Applications of the Internet, Performance Improvement Analysis in the Workplace, Management of Instructional Systems, and Student Assessment.
Education
Expertise
Research Methods
Publications
- Tokac, U., Novak, E., & Thompson, C. (2019). Effects of game-based learning on preK-12 students’ mathematics achievement: A meta-analysis. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning. 1-14
- Novak, E., Daday, J., & McDaniel, K. (2018). Using a mathematical model of Motivation, Volition, and Performance to examine students’ e-text learning experiences. Educational Technology Research & Development. 66(5), 1189-1209.
- Novak, E., & Wisdom, S. (2018). Effects of 3D printing project-based learning on preservice elementary teachers’ science attitudes, science content knowledge, and anxiety about teaching science. Journal of Technology and Science Education. 27(5), 412-432.
- Novak, E., Daday, J., & McDaniel, K. (2018). Assessing intrinsic and extraneous complexity of e-text learning. Interacting with Computers, 30(2), 150-161. https://doi.org/10.1093/iwc/iwy001
- Novak, E., & Tassell, J. (2017). Studying preservice teacher math anxiety and mathematics performance in geometry, word, and non-word problem solving. Learning and Individual Differences, 54, 20-29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2017.01.005
- Novak, E., & Tassell, J. (2015b). Using video game play to improve education-majors' mathematical performance: An experimental study. Computers in Human Behavior, 53, 124-130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.07.001
- Novak, E., & Tassell, J. (2015a). A dataset for education-related majors’ performance measures with pre/post video game practice. British Journal of Educational Technology, 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.12287
- Novak, E. (2015). A critical review of digital storyline-enhanced learning. Educational Technology Research & Development, 63(3), 431-453
- Novak, E., & Johnson, T.E. (2015). Design and development of a simulation for testing the effects of instructional gaming characteristics on learning of basic statistical skills. International Journal of Gaming and Computer-Mediated Simulations,7(1),40-59
- Novak, E. (2014b). Toward a mathematical model of motivation, volition, and performance. Computers & Education, 74, 73-80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2014.01.009
- Novak, E. (2014a). Effects of simulation-based learning on students’ statistical factual, conceptual, and application knowledge. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 30(2), 148-158. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12027
- Novak, E., Johnson,T.E., Tenenbaum,G., Shute,V. (2014). Effects of an instructional gaming characteristic on learning effectiveness, efficiency, and engagement: Using a storyline to teach basic statistical skills. Interactive Learning Environments, 24(3).
- Novak, E., Zhao, W., & Reiser, R. (2014). Promoting interdisciplinary research among faculty. The Journal of Faculty Development, 28(1), 1-6. Retrieved from http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/nfp/jfd/2014/00000028/00000001/art00003
- Novak, E. (2014c). A dynamically adaptive TutorIT tutorial in basic statistics. Technology, Instruction, Cognition and Learning, 9, 241-251.
- Novak, E., Razzouk, R., & Johnson, T. E. (2012). The educational use of social annotation tools in higher education: A literature review. The Internet and Higher Education, 15, 39-49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iheduc.2011.09.002
Awards/Achievements
- Kent State University – Academic Year Research and Creative Activity Appointment (2019-2020)
- Kent State University – Teaching Scholar (2018-2019)
- Grant Reviewer, National Science Foundation
- Outstanding Reviewer, Computers & Education, (2017)
- Immersive Learning Award (with Sonya Wisdom), AECT’s Division of Emerging Learning Technologies, (2016): 3D Printing Technology Science Project in a Kent State University Preservice Teacher Science Methods Course
- Featured research at the 2016 AECT International Convention, Las Vegas, NV
- 2nd place in Education category (with graduate students), 2015. Florida Statewide Graduate Student Research Symposium, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL.
- Western Kentucky University Award for continued support of the Kelly Autism Program (2013), Bowling Green, KY
- Early Career Symposium participant, AECT, NSF (2013), Anaheim, CA
- New Faculty Mentoring Program participant, AERA Division C, Learning & Instruction (2013), San Francisco, CA
- Nova Southeastern Award for Outstanding Practice by a Graduate Student in Instructional Design (2010), AECT's Design and Development Division, Anaheim, CA