Headsets, Hololens, and Higher Ed: What's Next on the Horizon for Immersive Learning?
Thursday November 16, 2017 - 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM
Concurrent Session 6

Robbie K. Melton, Ph.D. is a full tenured professor at Tennessee State University. Major research studies include Strategic Planning for Emerging IOE (Internet of Everything) Smart Connected Mobile Devices for Education and Workforce Development. She has published and presented around the nation on the impact and value of mobilization for education and the workforce and has acquired a new distinction as an “App-ologist” due to her study of the pedagogy and best teaching practices with mobilization, quality standards for the utilization of mobile apps, and for her creation of the Mobile App Education and Workforce Resource Center (50,000 + Apps that have been aligned with over ninety-five subject areas from Pre-K to Ph.D., including workforce careers, professional development and lifelong learning, according to one’s mobile device of choice). Melton is the winner of numerous awards; the latest being the 2016 Online Learning Consortium Fellow, 2016 Richard Jonsen Educational Technologies top honor for her lifetime work in educational technology, 2015 MERLOT Leadership Visionary Award, CDE Top 30 2014 Technologists, Transformers and Trailblazers, 2013 Apple Distinguished Educator, 2012, Technology WOW Award, 2013 eAfrica Innovator Education Award.

Marci Powell serves is CEO/President of Marci Powell & Associates, an educational consulting company and is Chair Emerita and Past President of the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA). Marci serves as senior educational researcher to Drexel University Online and is co-anchor of Virtually Inspired: Showcasing Innovations in Online Learning, a website designed to inspire administrators and faculty. She is an expert in the field of educational technology with extensive experience in applications related to online teaching and learning. With over 25 years of progressive leadership and management serving as an advisor to public and private sectors, Marci Powell is a frequent keynote speaker sharing global best practices in teaching and learning. As a thought leader, she supports a variety of organizations worldwide with strategic planning and guidance in the use of technology to address educational issues such as improving graduation rates, retention and progression. Powell began her career as a classroom and served as an administrator at various educational institutions across Texas. Prior to assuming her current position Powell was the Global Director for Education at Polycom, Director of Educational Advocacy for AT&T, President of VibrantC, Inc., and Global Education Market Manager for VTEL. In each role, she worked with numerous educational institutions and business training organizations to provide support for their innovative vision for learning. For her distinguished contributions to online learning, Marci has been inducted into the USDLA and TxDLA Hall of Fame and been recognized as an EDEN Fellow by the European Distance and Elearning Network (EDEN). She was named Higher Ed Tech Decisions 2014 Top 10 Leaders in Higher Education. Powell currently serves on the International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) High Level Advisory Board, USDLA Board of Directors, and the EduAlliance Board (UAE). Her articles on digital learning and innovative education have been published in a variety of publications worldwide including USA Today, Modern China, and Information Week. Among the numerous publications that quoted Powell are Financial Times, University Business Magazine, and the Auckland Herald. Most recently, Marci was one of five higher ed leaders interviewed for a Campus Technology article on Ed Tech Trends to Watch in 2017.