In Memoriam: Karen Swan
Long-time UPCEA member and colleague Karen Swan passed away in early September 2021. Dr. Swan served as professor of education at the University of Illinois at Springfield’s Center for Online Learning, Research and Service. Previously, she served as research professor at Kent State University’s Research Center for Educational Technology. Dr. Swan completed her doctorate in Educational/Instructional Technology at Columbia University’s Teachers College.
Dr. Swan was a noted scholar and practitioner of online learning, having begun teaching online in the 1990s. Her research focused on learning effectiveness, interactivity, social presence, learning analytics, and learner support in online environments. A prolific scholar, Dr. Swan published numerous articles, book chapters, and multimedia programs, as well as several books. She also helped develop the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework.
Dr. Swan is remembered by her colleagues as a theorist, scholar and thought leader in technology-enhanced learning. She is remembered by her students as an attentive, caring mentor and advocate. UPCEA extends its heartfelt condolences to the Swan family.
Other UPCEA Updates + Blogs
Groups Align to Advocate for Today’s Students (Inside Higher Ed)
A coalition of groups representing veterans, working adults and historically underrepresented students have teamed up to form a new organization…
Read MoreStudents to Keep Pressing Congress for Higher Education Update (Bloomberg Government)
Ten student advocacy groups are teaming up to push for a reauthorization of the main federal higher education law, even…
Read More