Barbara Lockee, associate vice provost for faculty affairs and professor of instructional design and technology in Virginia Tech’s School of Education, has received the 2022 David H. Jonassen Excellence in Research Award from the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT).

The award, established in honor of the significant scholarly contributions made to the field by David H. Jonassen, recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a long-term record of excellence in research in instructional design and technology. The award was presented during a ceremony at the General Session of the AECT Annual Convention in late October.

“I am so thankful to my peers in AECT for this incredible honor,” said Lockee. “To be recognized with an award that represents the kind of scholarly excellence and impact demonstrated by our late colleague and friend David Jonassen is humbling beyond measure.”

Jonassen Award nominees from around the world are evaluated based on quality of research activity and trajectory, the impact of the research on the field, and supporting comments and evidence from additional contributors. Nominations are coordinated, reviewed, and recipients selected by the AECT Awards Committee, which forwards names of award recipients to the AECT Executive Committee. Only one award is given annually.

AECT is a professional association of instructional designers, educators, and professionals who advance research and best practices in the use of technology to enrich teaching and learning. AECT members are found around the world in colleges and universities, the miltary and industry, museums, libraries, hospitals, and many other places where educational change is underway.

In her role as associate vice provost for faculty affairs at Virginia Tech, Lockee develops and supervises initiatives to help faculty thrive throughout their careers, including elevating the intellectual community at the university, improving professional development opportunities for post-tenure faculty, and helping faculty seek external recognition for their work.

Lockee’s research on instructional design and distance learning has made her a leader in her field. She’s authored dozens of peer-reviewed publications and received more than $14 million in funding from various federal agencies, including the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

“Barb is an outstanding and highly respected academic who has distinguished herself and Virginia Tech in the educational technology and learning systems and design field,” said Ron Fricker, vice provost for faculty affairs. “Through her vast knowledge and expertise, Barb is guiding and supporting faculty in their professional growth and creating opportunities to elevate their scholarly achievements. I congratulate her on this most well-deserved award and thank her for her continued service to and impacts on our academic community.”

Lockee has been a part of the Virginia Tech community for nearly 30 years. In 1996, she earned a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction at Virginia Tech, after which she became a postdoctoral fellow in the Office of Distance Learning, then an assistant professor of instructional technology. She was promoted to associate professor in 2001 and to full professor in 2007.

Twice she has served as the associate director for educational research and outreach in the School of Education, where she supported faculty implementation of research programs and managed a $20 million–plus portfolio of funded research for the school.

In addition to her Ph.D. from Virginia Tech, Lockee earned her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction in 1991 and her bachelor’s degree in communication arts in 1986, both from Appalachian State University (ASU). Earlier this year, she was inducted into the ASU Rhododendron Society, an honor recognizing distinguished alumni of the Reich College of Education.

She is a past winner of Virginia Tech's Zenobia Lawrence Hikes Award and the Association for Educational Communication and Technology’s Distinguished Service Award. Lockee also is past president of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology and currently serves as vice president for education of the International Academic Forum, based in Nagoya, Japan.

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