Dr. Michelle Bakerson is a distinguished academic and strategic thinker with a focus on evaluation, innovation, and entrepreneurship in educational organizations. With a mission to connect data to actionable insights, she has garnered extensive experience in program evaluation, grant research, and strategic planning. Dr. Bakerson has been instrumental in securing over $4.2 million in research-related grants and is a recognized expert in virtual world building for education. She currently serves as a community leader for the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).
Educational Background
Doctor of Philosophy in Evaluation, Measurement and Research Design (2009)
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Dissertation Thesis: Persistence and Success: A Study of Cognitive, Social, and Institutional Factors Related to Retention of Kalamazoo Promise Recipients at Western Michigan University. Advisor: Gary Miron, Ph.D.
Master of Arts in Educational Leadership-Organizational Analysis (2005)
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Major concentration in evaluation.
Michigan Elementary Provisional Certificate (1998)
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Science and English Endorsement
License - Standard Teaching Certificate - State of Michigan
Endorsements: Elementary K-5 All Subjects (K-8 All Subjects in Self-contained Classroom) - ZG; K-8 English - BA; K-8 Science - DX
Expiration Date 6/7/2027
License Number: CC-319JH0343381
Bachelor of Science, Business Administration (1993)
Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Michigan
Major concentration in organizational behavior.
Higher Education Resource Services (HERS) Leadership Institute, Bryn Mawr (2014)
Fluent in German – Professional working proficiency
Positions Held
Indiana University South Bend
- Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
- Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
- Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness
- Director of Online Education
- Director of Campus Assessment and Accreditation
- Graduate Program Director
- Campus-wide Assessment System Coordinator
- Chair, Assessment Committee and Assessment Coordinator
- Chair Department of Teacher Education
- Program Coordinator of Special Education
- ABC Program Evaluator - Adoption and Adaptation of the ABC Program at Indiana University and Ivy Tech Community College
The Evaluation Connection, LLC
- CEO and Lead Evaluator
Serviced: Program evaluation, grant research, grant writing, assessment, test construction, strategic planning, and consulting.
TheEvaluationConnection.com - https://theevaluationconnection.com/
Awards and Fellowships
*K20 Education Fellowship - Virtual World Building Think Tank
Competitive, one of only five global educators
Duration: Nov. 15, 2021 - March 15, 2022
Awards: $1800, $42,000 Gather Town subscription, K20 Fellowship badges, participatory action research training, Build in Public training
*Certificate of Merit for demonstrated excellence in scholarship and service, IU South Bend (2016)
*Trustees Teaching Award, IU South Bend (2012)
Classes Taught
- Assessment in Schools (EDUC-P507)
- Psychological Measurement in the Schools (EDUC-P407)
- Psycho-educational Assessment of Exceptional Children (EDUC-P519)
- Research Exit Project Elementary (EDUC-E591)
- Research Exit Project Secondary (EDUC-S591)
- Introduction to Research (EDUC-P503)
- Using Computers for Education (EDUC-W200)
- Economic Dimensions of Education (EDUC-A630)
- Data-informed Decision Making for School Leaders (EDCU-A629)
- Research in Counseling and Guidance (EDUC-G590)
- Managing Classroom Behavior (EDUC-P570)
- Classroom Management (EDUC-K452)
- Mathematics in the Elementary School (EDUC-E343)
- General Educational Psychology (EDUC-P250)
- Introduction to Teaching (EDUC-F100)
Selected Peer Reviewed Publications
Bakerson, M., Barberry, J., Chew, J., & Finnegan, T. (In Progress). Book Chapter – Schooling in Times of Crisis: The Role of Schools in Building Community Resilience. Routledge Taylor & Francis Group an Informa Business. Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon; New York, NY: Routledge.
Aleman, E., Bakerson, M., Barberry, J., Blaze, B., Chew, J., Finnegan, T. & Sheku Conteh, G.M. (2022, April 15). Reimagining Learning in Virtual Spaces: Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice. In E. Langran (Ed.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference (pp. 1755-1763). San Diego, CA, United States: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved January 31, 2023 from https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/220946/.<https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/220946/> (Peer Reviewed).
Larrier, Y.; Hall, K.; Linton, J.; Bakerson, M.; Larrier, I.; Shirley, T. (2016). Problem Based Learning: A Viable School Counseling Intervention to Promote Student Engagement with At-Risk High School Students. National Teacher Education Journal, Summer 2016, Vol. 9, Issue 2 (pp. 11-20). 10p. {{ISSN| 19453744}} (Blind Review).
Skarbek, D., Atkins, Hahn, Parrish, Bakerson, M., and Kwadwo, O. (2015). It Takes a Village to Viber! Using Technology to Promote Inclusion around the World. Praxis paper submitted to The Journal of the International Association of Special Education (JIASE). (Blind Review).
Bakerson, M., Trottier, T., & Mansfield, M. (2015). The Value of Embedded Formative
Assessment: An Integral Process in Online Courses Implemented Through Advances in Technology. In Selma Koc, Xiongyi Liu and Patrick Wachira, (eds.) Book chapter for edited book; Assessment in Online and Blended Learning Environments, Information Age Publishing. (Peer Review).
Bakerson, M., Heck, M. & Mettetal. G. (2015). When Imagining 'What If' is Problematic: Complexities of IRB Teacher Research Approval. International Journal of Interdisciplinary Educational Studies<http://iji.cgpublisher.com/product/pub.88/prod.995>, Vol. 10, Issue 1(pp. 1-12). (Blind Review).
Bakerson, M., Welch, A., & Tesfamariam, B., (2014). Improving student retention: evaluating effects of a U100 first-year seminar course with conditionally admitted students In S. Whalen (Ed.), Proceedings of the 10th national symposium on student retention, Louisville, Kentucky (pp. 182-191). Norman, OK: The University of Oklahoma. (Blind Review).
Watson, B., & Bakerson, M. (2014, Jan). University Professor Feedback That Works
Proceedings from the Hawaii University International Conferences on Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Honolulu, HI: Hawaii University International Conferences. {{ISSN| 9162-917x}}(Blind Review).
Selected Peer Reviewed Presentations
Bakerson, M., Barberry, J., Chew, J., & Finnegan, T. (2023, Jan. 25). Immersive Learning Design: Pedagogy Practice and You. Presented at the Pennsylvania Association for Educational Communication and Technology. Boalsburg, PA, USA.
Bakerson, M., Barberry, J., Chew, J., & Finnegan, T. (2022, Nov. 11). Level Up: Design Immersive Learning in Virtual Worlds. Presented at the Web3 and the Evolution of Education UnConference. Ed3 DAO & K20 Educators. Virtual in the Ed3verse.
Aleman, E., Bakerson, M., Barberry, J., Blaze, B., Chew, J., Finnegan, T. & Sheku Conteh, G.M. (2022, Oct. 14). Reimagining Learning in Virtual Spaces: Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice. Presented at the International ISTE Creative Constructor Lab 2022. Virtual.
Bakerson, M., Barberry, J., Blaze, B., Chew, J., Finnegan, T., Aleman, E., & Sheku Conteh, G.M. (2022, Sept. 23). K20 Fellowship Conference. K20 Educators.
Aleman, E., Bakerson, M., Barberry, J., Blaze, B., Chew, J., Finnegan, T. & Sheku Conteh, G.M. (2022, April 11). Reimagining Learning in Virtual Spaces: Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice. Paper presented at the Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference. San Diego, CA, USA.
Bakerson, M., Tesfamariam, B., and Joseph, J. (2016, April). Self-efficacy and Retention: Evaluating Conditionally/Fully Admitted Students and FYS Course. Paper presented at the Higher Learning Commission Annual Conference – Beyond the Horizon – General Program, Chicago, Illinois
Selected Grants Funded
Total Research Related Grants Funded $4,249,000
- External Evaluator and Grant Writer, Addressing Childhood Trauma: The Community Resilience Center Project in conjunction with Memorial Hospital of South Bend. Evaluation funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary, Office of Minority Health. Communities Addressing Childhood Trauma (ACT) MP-CPI-16-002 CFDA Number: 93.137. Community Programs to Improve Minority Health. Submitted for $400,000 per year for five years. Total $2,000,000. Wrote the evaluation component of the grant and received full points from external reviewers. (2016-2021)
- Primary Evaluator and Grant Writer - Adoption and Adaptation of the ABC Program at Indiana University and Ivy Tech Community College. Evaluation funded by the Kresge Foundation, $450,000. (2014-2018)
- Principal Investigator and Grant Writer - Comprehensive Counseling Initiative: Planning Grant for Principal Preparation Program IU South Bend. Grant No, 20170141, Funded by the Lilly Endowment Inc., $20,000. (March – December 2017).
- Facilitator and Grant Writer - AASCU High Impact Practice (HIP) Grant. $15,000 (2017)
- Facilitator and Grant Writer - AASCU Institutional Transformation Assessment – RFY Organizational Change. A RFY Student Success Grant. $15,000. I managed and facilitated this grant and training. (2017).
- Grant Writer - Integrate content on bystander intervention and the effect of alcohol on consent into classes for first time students. Indiana University AASCU RFY Student Success Mini-Grants, jointly with IU Northwest. $5,000. I facilitated grant writing and contacted the Office of Diversity to participate in writing this grant. (2016).
- External Evaluator and Grant Writer - Students Taking a New Direction: A Pilot School Based Prevention Program in conjunction with Oaklawn Psychiatric Center, Youth Service Bureau, Alcohol and Addiction Resource Center, and South Bend and South Bend Community School Corporation (SBCSC). Evaluation funded by the Indiana FSSA's Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA), Bureau of Mental Health Promotion and Addictions, $692,000. (2015-2018).
Professional Associations
- International Society for Technology
- American Evaluation Association
- Michigan Association for Evaluation
- Indiana Evaluation Association
- European Evaluation Society
- Association for Higher Education Effectiveness
- Association for the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education
Selected Certifications
- Tech Integration Made Easy with Screencastify - 477 (10/11/2022). OK2Ask Professional Learning Certificate. Edtech Workshops. The Source for Learning, Inc. 1.5 Hours
- 3 Cool Tools for the Flipped Classroom – 476 (/2022). OK2Ask Professional Learning Certificate. Edtech Workshops. The Source for Learning, Inc. 1.5 Hours
- Build Community in Your Classroom with Tech Tools - 479 (9/9/2022). OK2Ask Professional Learning Certificate. Edtech Workshops. The Source for Learning, Inc. 1.5 Hours
- Resource RoundUp: Free Tools from the Edge. (9/9/2022). OK2Ask Professional Learning Certificate. The Source for Learning, Inc. 1.5 Hours
- Common Sense Educator Badge (2020-2022). Common Sense Media.
- Wakelet Certificate of Completion (9/22/2022). Waklet.
- Microsoft Imagine Academy (11/1/2021). Microsoft Educator Center.
- FlipGrid (10/11/2021). Custom Instructor-led Training. Microsoft Educator Center.
- Mote Certified Educator (9/17/2021-Present). Mote Technologies, Inc.
- Digital Escapes with Microsoft (7/21/2021). Custom Training Instructor-led Training. Microsoft Educator Center.
- Forum Data Ethics Online Course (6/12/2021). National Forum on Education Statistics.
- Create Authentic Assessments in Microsoft Forms (6/9/2021). Microsoft Educator Center.
- Minecraft Education Edition (3/22/2021). Custom Instructor-led Training. Microsoft Educator Center. Certificate.
- Data Collection and Assessment: Frame Data for Student Learning with Excel Training (1/27/2021). Custom Training Instructor-led Training. Microsoft Educator Center.
- Certified Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Badge (9/28/2020). Microsoft Educator Center. Certificate.
- Flipgrid Certified Educator Badge 1 (9/28/2020). Engage and Amplify with Flipgrid course. Microsoft Educator Center. Certificate.
- Pear Deck Badge (9/28/2020). Deliver Powerful Learning Moments with Pear Deck course. Microsoft Educator Center. Certificate.
- ThingLink Badge (9/2/2020). Creating Visual Learning Materials with ThingLink Course. Microsoft Educator Center. Certificate.
Selected Teaching, Technology and Leadership Conferences Attended
- International Society for Technology – Creative Constructor Lab (ISTE) (10/14/2023-10/16/2023). Online.
- International Society for Technology in Education Summer Learning Academy (ISTE) Conference (6/5/2023-9/1/2023). Online.
- Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education Conference (2023, March 23-25). Uncommon Realities. <http://vwbpe.org/> http://vwbpe.org<http://vwbpe.org/>
- Adobe Summit (3/21-22, 2023). Adobe, Inc., San Jose, CA USA.
- Innovation Conference (2/23/2023). McGraw Hill.
- 2023 Educast Online Conference. Global Challenges in ELT (2/9-20/2023) Educast's 1st International Online Conference.
- Level Up! Game-based Learning Micro credential at CSUF (2/9/2023).
- ChatGPT and the Future of Education (2/7/2023). Grails Global Research Alliance for AI in Learning and Education.
- Digital Learning for All - Digital Transformation in Higher Education (2/3/2023). Digital Learning for All 2023 Conference. Cogito Development Projects on behalf of the IDEAL partners.
- Using CK-12 Science Resources to Increase Student Engagement (2/2/2023). Certified Educator Program.
- Figma for Education Monthly Workshop (10/28/2022). Figma for Education.
- The Virtual Garden Summit (10/7/2022). IUPUI Virtual.
- Strategies for Computational Thinking (9/14/2022). ISTE
- InstructureCon 2022 Embrace the Journey (7/14/2022). Instructor
- 2022 Games for Change Festival (7/13/2022 - 7/16/2022) Online. Games for Learning: Games reimagine how we learn, both in and out of the classroom.
- Sixth Annual Statewide IU Online Conference (10/27/2021-10/29/2021) The Office of Online Education/Office of Collaborative Academic Programs & eLearning Design & Services
- International Society for Technology – Creative Constructor Lab (ISTE) (10/15/2021-10/17/2021). Online.
- 2021 InstructureCon Conference (10/07/2021) Online. Instructure.
- Indiana AI Week (8/30/2021-9/3/2021) Online. IU Research Center.
- Engage & Inspire: Digital Escapes with Google (8/2/2021) Online. OK2Ask.
- 2021 Games for Change Festival (7/12/2021 - 7/14/2021) Online. Games for Learning: Games reimagine how we learn, both in and out of the classroom.
- Beyond Voice and Choice: Practices, Mindsets, and Skills that Foster Learner Agency (7/7/2021)
- International Society for Technology in Education Summer Learning Academy (ISTE) Conference (7/2/2021-7/13/2021).
- Teach, Play, and Learn Conference (6/25/2021). Online. Hosted by University Information Technology Services, South Bend, IN.
- International Society for Technology in Education Summer Academy (ISTE) Conference (6/26-6/30/2021). Online.
- 2021 eLearning Conference of Colorado (4/7/2021-4/9/2021) Online.
- Shaping the Future: A 3D Printing in Education Virtual Summit (3/31/2021) Online. Makerbot.
- Online Learning Consortium Innovate Education Reimagined (3/12-19/2021). Online. Joint conference presented by OLC and MERLOT.
- Women of IU Conference (3/10/2021) Laysha's Lessons from the She-Suite: Making this
Moment a Sustained Movement Towards Equity! Indiana University Conferences.
- Women of IU Conference (3/8/2021) Women of IU: Conversation with Laysha Ward. Indiana University Conferences.
- International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Conference (11/29-12/5/2020). Online.
- 5th Annual IU Online Conference (10/28-30/2020). Hosted by the Office of Online Education in collaboration with the Office of Collaborative Academic Programs and eLearning Design and Services.
- Teach, Play, and Learn Conference (6/26/2020 ). Hosted by University Information Technology Services, South Bend, IN.
- Tableau Conference (11/11-16/2019) Las Vegas, NV
- Teach, Play, and Learn Conference (7/12/2019) in South Bend, IN. Hosted by University Information Technology Services. Game-based teaching and learning.
- 2019 Games for Change Conference (6/15/2019 - 6/19/2019) in New York, NY. Games for Learning: Sharing new projects and research that evidence the power of game-based learning to transform education both in and out of the classroom.
Selected Teaching and Technology Professional Development
- Future of Assessment and Feedback (11/23/2021)
- UCET Voice Thread (11/17/2021) Indiana University South Bend.
- Selecting the Right EdTech Tools…Every Time (10/4/2021) EdWeb.
UCET Advanced Canvas Application (9/22/2021) Indiana University South Bend.
- Designing Engaging Learning Experiences for Undergraduates (9/16/2021) Presented by Michael Roberto. Harvard Business Publishing Education.
- The Hybrid Classroom How to Engage Students to Promote Individual and Collective Learning (9/9/2021). Presented by Alexandra Sedlovskaya.
Harvard Business Publishing Education. - Getting Started with Adobe Captivate – eLearning Authoring (8/31/2021) Adobe.
- Evaluating Tech Infusion: Candidate and Program Outcomes (6/9/2021) ISTE TEN Book Study Webinar Series.
- Leadership for Tech Infusion (6/2/2021) ISTE TEN Book Study Webinar Series.
- UCET Active Learning Institute on Creativity in Teaching (Spring, 2021) Indiana University South Bend. Certificate.
- Virtual Lesson Plan Designs that Engage and Inspire (5/13/2021) For You, By You: A how-to event series for educators to supercharge classroom engagement by Microsoft.
- Tech Infusion in Clinical Experiences (5/12/2021) ISTE TEN Book Study Webinar Series.
- Understanding SMART Goals (3/11/2021) Sanford INSPIRE, Professional Development Certificate.
- Formative Assessment for Classroom Teachers (FACT) (9/24/2020). Heidi Andrade and Sue Brookhart. Sponsored by AERA Division H, Research, Evaluation, and Assessment in Schools.
- How the Pandemic Gave IT a Seat at the Table (10/20/2020). Jill Albin-Hill, Dominican University and Paige Francis, University of Tulsa. Hosted by Campus Technology Distance Learning Summit.
- Lessons Learned from Remote Teaching and Learning (10/20/2020).Deborah Breen, Director, Center for Teaching and Learning Boston University. Hosted by Campus Technology Distance Learning Summit.
- Teaching Technology Trends: Remote Spring Data and Future Implications (10/20/2020). Richard Garrett, Chief Research Officer, Eduventures. Campus Technology Distance Learning Summit.
- UCET: Assessment Strategies in Online Classes (9/22/2020). Virtual. Learn ways to assess your students' learning without relying on proctored exams. Led by Carolyn Schult and Jay VanderVeen.
Research Interests
- Virtual World Educational Impact
- Program Evaluation/Assessment
- Gamification and Student Motivation
- AI Educational Impacts and Strategies