Florida State University’s School of Information in the College of Communication and Information is launching a new initiative, “Educational Informatics” as it continues to grow its innovative programs in K-12 learning.
Associate Professor Marcia Mardis, who was recently named the Coordinator of Educational Informatics, will lead the effort. Educational Informatics is an emerging area of study in information science that merges aspects of information science, computing, education, instructional systems and learning sciences.
The School of Information’s work in K-12 education including school librarianship, digital learning resources and technology leadership lends itself perfectly to an informatics lens.
“We are in a unique position to contribute to redefining and expanding the opportunities for information professionals in the K-12 educational context,” said Kathleen Burnett, director of the School of Information.
Mardis will oversee Florida State’s existing school library media program operations and will develop a plan to increase the visibility and engagement in K-12 school media and technology leadership, as well as provide new school technology leadership opportunities for current FSU master’s students and alumni.
“The School of Information has the distinction of being the nation’s No. 1 ranked U.S. program in school library media education,” Mardis said. “Because our program and faculty in this area are so strong and cohesive, it only makes sense to leverage this solid foundation to extend our renowned educational offerings with additional opportunities to engage K-12 education’s leaders in planning, implementing, evaluating and promoting technology for 21st century learning environments. With Florida at the forefront of digital textbooks, ubiquitous learning, and kids’ information and communication fluency, FSU’s iSchool must lead the way.”A former school librarian, school administrator, technology director and networking researcher, Mardis brings a unique blend of recognized of experience to this role. She has published several articles about learning resources and their implementation; worked internationally to develop two universities’ educational capacities in K-12 technology leadership; shared her ideas with local, state, national and international audiences; and secured $17 million in federal grant money to support K-12 educational informatics-related research and development.
A former school librarian, school administrator, technology director and networking researcher, Mardis brings a unique blend of recognized of experience to this role. She has published several articles about learning resources and their implementation; worked internationally to develop two universities’ educational capacities in K-12 technology leadership; shared her ideas with local, state, national and international audiences; and secured $17 million in federal grant money to support K-12 educational informatics-related research and development.