Dr. Dorri Karolick
Instructional System Specialist, United States Air Force Academy
FORWARD
I began my career, like many of you, expecting to become a teacher. I graduated with my B.A. only to find that there was a tremendous influx of new public school teachers in my local area, and therefore, no teaching jobs. I did what most people do to survive, got a job in industry. I have had more than one career in my life including accountant, computer programmer, and customer support manager for a computer firm. It was interesting all along the way and I was always able to go back to my first love in some way... education. Finally, a few years ago I heard about a position at the United States Air Force Academy. They were looking for a computer programmer, but they needed someone with a background in education. Well... that was exactly what I was looking for, a place to combine my two loves. I applied and was fortunate enough to be selected.
Shortly after I was hired, I found that nearby there was a Master's degree program offered in Educational Technology. It combined the best of both worlds for me. I completed my Master's degree 1992, and have found it to be the most rewarding, flexible, ever-changing career I could imagine. It has allowed me to interface effectively throughout the academy designing curriculum, helping new faculty develop instructional skills, providing expertise for Academy-wide project teams including the recent 10 year North Central Accreditation self-study, assessment across the curriculum, and integration of curriculum departmentally and interdepartmentally. Educational Technology has afforded me the tools and ever changing resources to integrate models that work into what otherwise seemed like unmanageable chaos. I have had the opportunity to do academic research, publish articles in refereed journals, present at national and international conferences, and above all enhance the educational experiences of cadets, our future leaders in the military of the new millennium.
Along the way I have been fortunate enough to be recognized by my peers and leaders. The awards for which I am most proud began in 1997, when I won the Federal Women's Civilian of the Year award for the United States Air Force Academy. This year I was thrilled to win the ECT Foundation Scholarship through the AECT National Convention held at Houston, Texas. In addition, I was selected as Civilian of the Year in the Nonsupervisory Category for the entire Air Force Academy. I was overwhelmed by this honor.
Educational Technology has brought exceptional career opportunities, continued personal and professional growth, and extreme enjoyment to my life. I have met superior individuals in this career field, both in academia and industry. Opportunities in this field continue to expand and grow at an almost alarming rate, as school districts, universities and colleges across the nation seek the skills of individuals in this discipline. Industry is ever-increasingly seeking and relying on professionals from Educational Technology due to its vast breadth. There is a shortage of individuals in this field, making it an exceptional career choice at this moment in time. I can think of nothing more exciting than the possibilities available to individuals in this expanding discipline.
-Dorri Karolick
-Spring 1999
I am currently an Instructional Systems Specialist at the United States Air Force Academy, in the 34th Education Group, Commandant of Cadets. I have been at the Academy in this professional position since March 1989.
In addition I am a full time graduate student at the University of Northern Colorado pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Technology. As of this date I have completed all course work, except for those in which I am currently enrolled, completed my written comprehensive exams, and am beginning work on my dissertation proposal. I have a 4.0 average on a four-point scale in all course work.
My areas of expertise include...
Design and development of:
- Web-based Instruction (having just created a graduate level course for the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in Trends and Issues in Education)
- Personalized text-based instruction (cadet Professional Military Education - delivered to all 4,000 cadets annually
- Multimedia, including:
- AFSC (Air Force career fields, training, and requirements for entry)
- Pilotage (an aircraft recognition program for cadet use)
- Uniform Guide (a guide to cadet regulations on uniform wear)
- Room Guide (a guide to cadet regulations on room decorum)
Faculty Development, including:
- New Faculty Orientation - getting into the classroom for the first time
- New Faculty Development - seminars on active learning, lesson planning, etc.
- Course Director Preparation - sequencing curriculum, course continuity
- Course Material Design and Development - what works and why
- Curriculum Integration - departmental and interdepartmental
- Curriculum Development - new courses, enhancements, reorganization
Hardware and software expertise including installation, training personnel, writing software and network issues.
Presentations
KSU Classroom Technology Videoconference
Karolick, Dolores M. "Integration of Technology at the United States Air Force Academy." KSU Classroom Technology Videoconference, Greeley, CO to Manhattan, KS, July 1998. (Invited speaker)
Educom '96