The first session of the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) site "Data Analytics and Information Retrieval” resulted in findings and methods thatmay lead to new research during the next summers and on through 2021.
The College of Information at the University of North Texas which is hosting this REU conducted a ten-week summer research program funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) for ten undergraduates from May 26, to August 2, 2019. The program allows undergraduates to conduct research with faculty members from the Department of Information Science and the Department of Linguistics.
Dr. Junhua Ding, R.E.U faculty mentor, and Information Science faculty member has become instrumental in the creation of the new Data Science B.S. degree and the site. During the ten weeks, each student engages in closely mentored research, under the advising of a faculty mentor, in one major research topic in data analytics and information retrieval.
It’s been an active summer for both the Learning Technologies and Linguistics departments. They both hosted their annual summer camps in July.
SciQuest at the Dallas Arboretum
The Institute for the Integration of Technology into Teaching and Learning (IITTL) program, a part of the Learning Technologies Department was welcomed back to the Dallas Arboretum for a demonstration at SciQuest Camp. The camp included such STEM activities as the use of Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, robots, investigations about NASA’s Parker Solar Probe and the 50th anniversary of the moon landing.
Language Explorers in Denton
The Linguistics Department hosted the Second Annual Language Explorers Camp, in the Environmental Science building on main campus.
The camp covered an overview of language science for kids in grades 8-12. Campers covered geography, history, physics of sound, data collection methods and problems solving skills.
Name: J. Michael Spector
Title: Professor, Department of Learning Technologies / LT Doctoral Program Coordinator
Education:
United State Air Force Academy B.S. International Affairs (Psychology/Philosophy) 1967
The University of Texas Austin Ph.D. Philosophy
Arrival at UNT: 2014
Dr. Spectors Summer plans:
I have been involved with the Association for Educational Communications and Technology known as AECT since the late 1980s. I was president of the association in 2009-2010 and prior to that had been chair of the design and development division. I initiated the summer research symposium when I was president-elect to add a second bi-annual meeting with a published book of the best papers as an opportunity for researchers. Since then, the summer research symposium has expanded to include a summer research meeting in Asia. These meetings are now regular occurrences of the international association that also sponsors the top academic journal in the field of educational technology - Educational Technology Research and Development. The summer research symposium provides an opportunity for young researchers to present their work and potentially have it published in a supportive environment with interested colleagues.
Get to know Linguistics staff member Trevor Sisk
What is your favorite part of the job?
Sisk: I greatly enjoy helping to find solutions and providing support for my colleagues and our students.
What are some of your tasks?
Sisk: Budgeting – Travel – Scheduling – Being a resource for information – Hiring – Advertising, etc.
What are your hobbies?
Sisk: Art – Painting, drawing and graphic design.
What do you do like to do in your free time?
Sisk: Most of my time off of work is spent with my daughters. When I can, I like to play video games.
COI Alum
Meet kYmberly Keeton
UNT M.A. Library Science 14’
Undergraduate: University of Houston, BA in English-Creative Writing, Minor in African American Studies, & Graduate Certificate in African American Studies University of North Texas, MLS, Library Science, Graduate Certificate in Digital Content Management
Professional Title: African American Community Archivist & Librarian. Austin History Center, Austin Public Library
Keeton was recently elected to serve a three year term as an ALA-Councilor At Large with the American Library Association, and named the Co-Chair of the Women's Section for the Society of American Archivists (two year appointment). She is also the Liaison for ACRL-African American Studies Librarians Interest Group.
In 2019 she was published in the book Diversity and Inclusion in Libraries: A call to Action and Strategies for success. Her contribution is Chapter 13: Interpersonal Relationships with Minority Women in Leadership Positions.
Keeton is dedicated to her first scholarly book about African American librarians from the south to be published by Cambridge Press in 2021.
Spotlight Submissions
We are looking forward to sharing the stories of our many talented alumni, faculty and staff members year-round. The submission form is another way for us to know what is happening with your career. So much happens within the year and we know time constraints may stop you from sharing your good works or give a kudos to a colleague who is working to make our college a better place. Take a moment to review the form and submissions do not have to be sent anonymously.
Congratulations to Dr. Daniel Alemneh of UNT Libraries for being accepted as a Fulbright Scholar! Dr. Alemneh is also an adjunct professor at the College of Information. He will be working to develop digital library structures and framework to support local universities and organizations in Ethiopia during his appointment in the 2019-2020 academic year.
In his position as Digital Curation Unit Supervisor, Alemneh has worked previously with Ethiopian university faculty to review curriculum for digital library development. Ethiopia has a rich history which has not been well recorded digitally due to limited technical resources and knowledge. Alemneh’s project will aim to bridge this gap and complement existing efforts by promoting and optimizing best practices to create and maintain sustainable digital libraries. These digital repositories will hold the many varied histories of the citizens of the country
The College of Information is the proud owner of a 70" television display outside the advising office. If you have an announcement you would like to see posted on the display please fill out the marketing request form located on the college website.
