Interim Dean (2018-2019) ~ Senior Associate Dean (2013-2020)
The challenges and opportunites associated with "Big Data" fascinate me -- especially when these data are used by post-secondary administrators to make timely and effective decisions. Two years ago, in my role as Senior Associate Dean, I began developing technical competencies using Tableau Desktop to build real-time dynamic workbooks and dashboards for measuring and visualizing credit hour growth, improving course planning, and tracking student success metrics (e.g., engagement, retention, graduation rates, etc.). Today I enjoy collaborating with UK Institutional Research and Advanced Analytics and other "Tableau Super Users" at the University of Kentucky to develop solutions that improve instutional decision-making and promote student success.
With more than tweny years experience as an advocate and trainer of Team-Based Learning (TBL) I have designed pragmatic tools and creative workshops for helping eductors use this evidence-based student-centered instructional strategy. TBL requires active student participation and emphasizes learning to use concepts rather than merely learning about them. As such, it has two distinctive features: (1) a redefinition of the primary roles and responsibilities in the learning process and (2) the formation of an operational learning environment which incorporates four essential tools (course design, classroom management, student group composition, and performance evaluation). When TBL is used appropriately it engages learners, improves group dynamics, and ultimately increases knowledge and application skills.
We are currently conducting research to understand how people use and learn from communication technologies including robots (mobile virtual presence devices), computers, tablets, and other mobile devices. I'm leading doctoral research teams that are testing models for predicting instructional technology adoption and measuring the impact of technological affordances on actual technology use. Our innovative CI Collective usability lab also supports interdisciplinary research on human-computer interaction by evaluating prototypes of emerging technologies (e.g., wearable technologies, home automation, and devices that incorporate the Internet of Things (IoT) to collect and exchange data).
Edward Everett Hale
Derek R. Lane has been active as an administrator and campus leader for the past twenty plus years. He assumed the responsibilites as Interim Dean of the College of Communication and Information from 2018-2019. He served as Senior Associate Dean for Administrative Affairs from 2013-2020 and as an endowed professor in the UK College of Engineering from 2004-2015. From 2005-2009 he administered the M.A. and Ph.D. programs in Communication as the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs in Communication. He returned to the faculty full-time in January 2020.
Dr. Lane's research focuses on how message design and processing impacts attitudes and behaviors in applied contexts (e.g., instructional, organizational, health, risk and crisis). Derek has also published articles on Team-Based Learning related to faculty facilitation skills and peer feedback.
His collaborative research has been funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the National Institute of Drug Abuse, the National Institute of Mental Health, and the National Science Foundation and appears in Communication Monographs, Communication Education, Media Psychology, Communication Research Reports, Health Promotion Practice, the Journal of Engineering Education and the Journal of Experimental Education.
He teaches undergraduate courses in communication theory, comparative research methods, small group, organizational, and interpersonal communication as well as training and development, leadership, and communication and technology. He teaches graduate seminars in quantitative research methods, communication theory, instructional communication, training and consulting, theory construction, advanced survey research methods, leadership and interpersonal communication. Dr. Lane is the recipient of several prestigious teaching and research awards.