Victoria Lowell

Clinical Professor

Learning Design and Technology,
Curriculum and Instruction

Email:
vllowell@purdue.edu

Phone:
(765) 494-1004

Links:

Profile

Dr. Lowell’s scholarship focuses on the development and integration of instructional methods and technologies (web apps, virtual, augmented, mixed reality, AI, etc.) for collaborative, situated, experiential, and authentic learning experiences. Dr. Lowell’s research group, Emerging Technologies in Learning, Design, and Technology (ETLDT), completes numerous research projects on using emerging technologies in formal and informal education, and professional development training.

+ Education

+ Career Experience

+ Awards & Honors

Research Awards and Honors

2025 Best Paper Award, American Educational Research Association (AERA) – SIG 35: Online Teaching and Learning. “The interrelationships between social presence and cognitive presence in online courses: An epistemic network analysis.”
2024 Outstanding Journal Article Award, Association of Educational Communication & Technology (AECT), Systems Thinking and Change Division. “The design of immersive virtual reality (IVR) learning using systems thinking.” TechTrends 68(1), 149-160. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-023-00922-1 2023 Emerging Learning Technologies Award, Association of Educational Communication & Technology (AECT), Division of Emerging Learning Technologies – 2nd Place. “Development and Implementation of Augmented Reality-Enhanced Instructional Resources for Taxonomy and Classification in K12 Schools and Teacher Education.”
2023 Outstanding Design Case Award, American Educational Research Association (AERA) – SIG 31: Design & Technology. “Authentic learning experiences to improve online instructor’s performance and self‐efficacy: The design of an online mentoring program.”
2022 Distance Learning Article Award, Association of Educational Communication & Technology (AECT), Division of Distance Learning, Application Category. “Developing practical knowledge and skills of online instructional design students through authentic learning and real-world activities.”
2020 Best Research Paper Award, American Educational Research Association (AERA) – SIG 35: Online Teaching and Learning: “Using personalized learning as an instructional approach to motivate learners in online higher education: Learner self-determination and intrinsic motivation.”
2019 Best Research Paper Award, American Educational Research Association (AERA) – SIG 35: Online Teaching and Learning “Enhancing academic self-efficacy in online settings: A systematic review.”
2018 Distance Education Book Award, Division of Distance Learning (AECT), Leading and managing e-Learning: What the e-Learning leader needs to know. Springer.
2017 Best Concurrent Presentation Paper Award, Division of Organizational Training and Performance (AECT), – “Professional training in the multigenerational office for skill development - generational attitudes toward technology and learning.”
2015 Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) Cross-Cultural Research Award, Award is given for outstanding scholarly work submitted to AECT that addresses cross-cultural or cross-national issues that have implications in educational technology. Paper, “Acculturation into a collaborative online learning environment.”
2015 McJulien Scholar Best Research Paper Award, Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT), Division of Culture and Technology, Division of Culture, Learning and Technology, AECT. Awarded to a paper discussing a theoretical construct or research that could guide further study and/or development in the nexus of Culture, Learning and Technology. Awarded for a conference paper, “Acculturation into a collaborative online learning environment.”
2002 Research Fellow, Educational Technology Program, University of Hawaii.

Teaching Awards and Honors

2024 Teaching for Tomorrow Fellowship Award, Senior Fellow, Purdue University (2024)
2024 Teaching for Tomorrow Fellowship, Senior Fellow, Purdue University (2023-2024)
2023 Best Practices Award, Association of Educational Communication and Technologies (AECT), Division for Organizational Training and Performance, for work on the Novice Instructor Mentor-Mentee Program.
2023 Teaching Leadership Award, Purdue Provost’s Office, “The Teaching Leadership Award supports the pursuit of excellence in teaching and the development of teaching leaders.” Project awarded: “Enhancing Instruction Through Integrating Extended Reality (XR) Experiences for Experiential Learning Opportunities.”
2023 Outstanding Graduate Faculty Mentor Award, College of Education, Purdue University (2022-2023)
2023 Teaching for Tomorrow Fellowship Award, Senior Fellow, Purdue University (2022-2023)
2023 Teaching for Tomorrow Fellowship, Senior Fellow, Purdue University (2022-2023)
2017 Teaching for Tomorrow Fellowship Award, Junior Faculty, Purdue University, (2016-2017)
2017 Teaching for Tomorrow Fellowship, Junior Faculty, Purdue University, (2016-2017)
2016 Best Practices Award, Division of Distance Learning, Association of Educational Communications and Technologies, 2nd Place, “Building a collaborative online learning community through the development of professional and interpersonal competencies.”
2016 Excellence in Distance Learning Award, Graduate Credit course, Office of Digital Education and the Provost, Purdue University, EDCI 569 – Introduction to E-Learning
2015 Wiley Teaching Fellows Award, Wiley (2013-2015)

Engagement/Service Awards and Honors

2021 Presidential Special Service Award, Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) - In recognition of the significant contribution to the success of the 2020 Virtual AECT Conference.
2008 Distinctive Service Award, Regent University
2006 Promotional Excellence Award, National Association of Graduate Schools Admissions Professionals. Category: Winning Strategies for Web Design
2017 Distinguished Alumni Award, Learning Design and Technology, University of Hawaii

Other Awards

2009 Outstanding Graduate of Doctorate of Philosophy in Education Award, Dual concentration in Distance Education and Higher Education Research and Institutional Planning, Regent University
2005 The American Association of Webmasters Gold Award, School of Psychology and Counseling website, Regent University

+ Professional Affiliations/Memberships

Research & Publications

Emerging Technologies and Learning, Design, and Technology (ETLDT)
This research group focuses on completing rigorous research on studying, developing, and using emerging technologies (e.g., VR, AR, AI) for enhancing instruction and learning in diverse learning settings in formal education (K12, higher education), informal education, and training settings.

Language Learning and Technology (LLT) This research group focuses on completing rigorous research of digital technologies and language learning. Current research projects include various language development needs (i.e., reading, writing, speaking, pronunciation) among different language learning groups (e.g., EFL, ELL) and various technologies (e.g., online interactive animations, SMAs, VR).

+ Selected Publications

Li, B., Lowell, V. L., Wang, C., & Li, X. (2024). A systematic review of the first year of publications on ChatGPT and language education: Examining research on ChatGPT’s use in language learning and teaching. Computer & Education: Artificial Intelligence, 7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2024.100266
Lowell, V. L. & Yan, W. (2024). The design of immersive virtual reality (IVR) learning using systems thinking. TechTrends 68(1), 149-160. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-023-00922-1
Lowell, V. L., & Tagare, D. (2023). Authentic learning and fidelity in virtual reality learning experiences for self-efficacy and transfer. Computers and Education: X Reality, 2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cexr.2023.100017
Lowell, V. L., & Ilobinso, A. (2023). Virtual reality in higher education, creating authentic learning experiences. In S. Wa-Mbaleka, K. Thompson, & L. Casimiro (Eds). The Sage Handbook of Online Higher Education. Sage.
Lowell, V. L., & Yan, W. (2023). Facilitating foreign language conversation simulations in virtual reality for authentic learning. In T. Cherner & A. Fegely (Eds.), Bridging the XR Technology-to-Practice Gap: Methods and Strategies for Blending Extended Realities into Classroom Instruction, Volume 1 (pp. 119-133). Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education and Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education. https://www.learntechlib.org/p/222242/
White, S., & Lowell, V. L. (2023). Instructional design practice considerations for augmented reality (AR) content creation and implementation in undergraduate science. In A. Fegely & T. Cherner (Eds), Bridging the XR Technology-to-Practice Gap: Methods and Strategies for Blending Extended Realities into Classroom Instruction, Volume 2, (pp. 197-209). Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education and Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education. https://www.learntechlib.org/p/222242/
Lowell, V. L., & Yang, M. (2022). Authentic learning experiences to improve online instructor’s performance and self-efficacy: The design of an online mentoring program. TechTrends. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-022-00770-5
Lowell, V. L., & Moore, R. L. (2020). Developing practical knowledge and skills of online instructional design students through authentic learning and real-world activities. TechTrends, 64(4), 581-590. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-020-00518-z
Alamari, H., Lowell, V. L., Watson, B., & Watson, S. (2020). Using personalized learning as an instructional approach experience to motivate learners in online higher education: Learner self-determination and intrinsic motivation. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 52(3), 322-352. https://doi.org/10.1080/15391523.2020.1728449 †
Yang, M., Lowell, V. L., Talafha, A., & Harbor, J. (2020). Transfer of training, trainee's attitudes and best practices in training design: A multiple-case study. TechTrends, 64(1).
Lowell, V. L., & Hanshaw, G. (2019). Improving performance, self-efficacy, and motivation: Structured online training and authentic learning. In J. Stefaniak (Ed.) Cases on Learning Design and Human Performance Technology. Hershey, PA, USA: IGI Global.
Hanshaw, G., & Lowell, V. L. (2019). Leading edge training for leading edges: Experiential learning to improve human performance and product quality. In J. Stefaniak (Ed.) Cases on Learning Design and Human Performance Technology. Hershey, PA, USA: IGI Global.
Lowell V. L., & Morris. J. (2019). Leading changes to professional training in the multigenerational office: Generational attitudes and preferences toward learning and technology. Performance Improvement Quarterly. doi: 10.1002/piq.21290
Lowell V. L., & Morris. J. (2019). Multigenerational college classrooms: Equity and learning with technology. The International Journal of Information and Learning Technologies, 36(1). https://doi.org/10.1108/IJILT-06-2018-0068.
Lowell V. L., & Alshammari, A. (2018). Experiential learning experiences in an online 3-D virtual environment for skill development: Interviewing and mental health diagnosis role-playing. Educational Technology Research and Development, 67(4). https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11423-018-9632-8
Lowell, V. L., & Ashby, I. V. (2018). Supporting the development of collaboration and feedback skills of instructional designers. Journal of Computing in Higher Education, 30(1). 1-21. doi:10.1007/s12528-018-9170-8
Pina. T., Lowell, V. L. & Harris, B. (Eds.) (2017). What the e-Learning leader needs to know: Leading and managing e-Learning. Springer Publishing.
Lowell, V. L. & Exter, M. (2017). Leading a collaborative effort: Providing effective training and support for online adjunct instructors. International Journal of Designs for Learning.
Ashby, I. V., & Walker, V. L. (2015). Acculturation into a collaborative online learning environment. 38th Annual Proceedings of the Annual Convention of the Association of Educational Technologies, Volume 2: Selected Papers on the Practice of Educational Communications and Technology, Indianapolis, Indiana. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED570118.pdf#page=8
Walker, V. L. (2010, Winter/Spring). Virtual Leadership. Thoughts on the Matter. Regent University.
Walker, V. L. (2009). Traditional and 3D virtual learning activities: Evaluating cognitive, affective, and psychomotor learning. Learning Technologies Conference, Mooloolaba Queensland, Australia.
Walker, V. L., & Rockinson-Szapkiw, A. J. (2009). Educational opportunities for clinical counseling simulations in Second Life. Innovate, 5(5). https://nsuworks.nova.edu/innovate/vol5/iss5/5/
Walker, V. L. (2009). 3D virtual learning in counselor education: Using Second Life in counselor skill development. Journal of Virtual World Research, 2(1). https://journals.tdl.org/jvwr/article/view/423/463
Rockinson-Szapkiw, A. J., & Walker, V. L. (2009). Web 2.0: Facilitating interactivity and collaborative relationships in an online human service counseling skills course. Journal of Technology in Human Services, 27(3), 175-193. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15228830903093031?journalCode=wths20

Courses Typically Taught

EDCI 51300 Foundations of Learning Design & Technology
EDCI 53100 Learning Theories and Instructional Design
EDCI 56900 Introduction to E-Learning
EDCI 57200 Introduction to Learning Systems Design
EDCI 57700 Strategic Assessment and Evaluation
EDCI 58800 Instructional Design and Motivation
EDCI 59100 Extended Reality Technologies (VR, AR, MR) and Teaching, Training and Learning
EDCI 67600 Unpacking Research: Writing Literature Reviews
EDCI 67700 Writing Research Proposals

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