The Graduate Faculty in Education (GFE) in Learning Design and Technology consists of professionally and academically qualified personnel, each with many years of experience in different aspects of educational technology. The backgrounds of the faculty complement each other so that the department can offer a strong and competent program. GFE is approved by UHM Graduate Education to meet stringent standards of scholarship and professional accomplishments.

Ariana Eichelberger, PhD, Specialist (Learning Design & Technology) – Ariana Eichelberger is a Specialist and Instructional Designer in the College of Education. Ari manages the Instructional Support Group of the College and coordinates the College’s faculty professional development program. As a faculty member of the Department of Learning Design and Technology, Ari teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in instructional design and technology integration. She is also an instructional designer with the COE. (Associate GFE)

Daniel L. Hoffman, EdD, Assistant Professor (Instructional Technology & Media) – Passionate educator and researcher in the field of digital learning. Former K-12 teacher focusing on the design of interactive experiences and their impact on learning and engagement. Research is interdisciplinary and involves cognitive science, learning science, and human-computer interaction. Topics of interest include: multimedia learning, games and simulations, computer science education, learning analytics, and new media teaching and learning. (Full GFE)

Peter Leong, PhD, Associate Professor (Communication and Information Sciences) – Has extensive experience in the development and delivery of online courses and distance education. Research areas include the role of social presence and cognitive absorption in student satisfaction with online learning environments and faculty development, informal learning, global connections, and virtual worlds. (Full GFE)

Grace (Meng-Fen) Lin, EdD, Associate Professor (Educational Technology) – Has a background in programming, project management, web design, and narrative research. Research areas include online communities, open education resources, mobile learning, participatory learning and educational use of social media tools including twitter, wikibooks, and youtube. (Full GFE)

Michael Menchaca, EdD, Professor – Department & Graduate Chair  (Educational Technology) – Has expertise in online learning, community-based learning, staff development, graduate programs, technology standards, and instructional design. He has collaborated and consulted with K-12 schools, districts, and county offices. Research areas are: educational technology, online teaching and learning, distributed/distance education, multiculturalism and social justice, and communities of practice. (Full GFE)

Seungoh Paek, PhD, Professor, (Instructional Technology & Media) – Experience in design and development of innovative technology and research on the impact of instructional technology on learning across age levels; research and evaluation to support development, implementation, and testing of new pedagogical approaches aimed at transforming education in both K-12 and higher education settings; expertise in statistical analysis and evaluation. (Full GFE)