2007 Virginia OFA Recipient

Dr. Priscilla Norton, a Professor of Instructional Technology at George Mason University for 10 years, is the 2007 Outstanding Faculty Award “Teaching with Technology” recipient. She provides a conceptual framework for revolutionizing curricular design for online learning while transforming school communities through her graduate programs for teachers. Dr. Norton’s own teaching and education of K-12 teachers are the objects of her research and publication, and she is actively involved with international, national, and local activities to facilitate the integration of technology with the learning of a broad range of students. She collaborated closely with Georgetown University and the U. S. Agency for International Development supporting efforts to bring technology to schools throughout the Republic of Macedonia, working with faculties from Macedonia’s teacher education universities. She served as external evaluator for three grants in support of the U.S. Department of Education’s PT3 program, facilitating the preparation of tomorrow’s teachers in technology integration.

Dr. Norton has published 43 substantive articles, two award-winning conference papers, three book chapters, three books, three web-based programs, and one patent. Her collaborative book, Technology for Teaching, is used in teacher education classrooms throughout the United States and several other countries. A distinguished professor at Harvard University noted that Dr. Norton “has creative, theory-based ideas about new types of technology-enabled teaching, learning, and assessment. She disseminates her scholarship beyond the research community through active outreach to educators, relating her insights to larger issues and challenges they face. The courses and programs of study Priscilla has developed contain state-of-the-art content and have attracted large numbers of students to GMU.” A colleague at another university said, “Her books and conference presentations share a vision for use of technology that sets her apart from the pack. She understands today’s technology and has become a leader in the field.”

Dr. Norton has been the leader in curriculum development activities that have resulted in three graduate programs for teachers in technology integration and virtual learning environments. “Her technology integration expertise, knowledge of educational pedagogy, and problem solving skills make her an extremely valuable asset to our institution,” noted one Northern Virginia school district administrator. Graduates of her programs have assumed significant leadership roles as university professors, directors of technology, and technology/curriculum specialists; moreover, 30 to 70 percent of the technology resource teachers in local school systems are graduates of her programs who use their own expertise to help other teachers in their schools improve their teaching. She also spearheaded a collaboration of three school districts to develop an innovative virtual high school offering 13 problem-centered, robust courses grounded in her design model.

In recognition of her contributions, Dr. Norton has received notable awards such as the Governor’s Technology Award for Innovative Use of Technology in K-12 Education. She holds an Ed.D. in Instructional Technology/Curriculum and Instruction from U. S. International University (now Alliant University).

Nomination Package