Beheshteh Abdi
Northern Illinois University

My name is Beheshteh Abdi. I am a Ph D candidate in instructional technology. Currently, I am working as teaching assistant in the Department of Educational Technology, Research and Assessment at Northern Illinois University. As a student and as an instructor I always do my best to make the things in the best possible way. I am dedicated to contributing to research, enthusiastic, and a lifelong learner in the instructional technology area. My research interest focuses on examining the impact of integrating new technologies in classrooms to improve student engagement and learning outcomes. In this regard, I and two other authors have coauthored a book chapter with Dr. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (and two other authors) the distinguished professor and founder of Flow theory and that discusses the implication of flow theory in the educational setting in the handbook of positive psychology in schools. As I started studying in instructional technology in the doctoral program at Northern Illinois University, I started to work on the effeteness of integrating new technologies such as gamification and Student Response Systems in the classroom to improve student engagement (flow experience) and learning. My other research interest turns around the best ways to improve students and instructor's social interaction in online learning environment. In September 2017, I got elected as the chair of academic and research in ETRA-GSA at Northern Illinois University. Also, I am a member of AECT-GSA Division. I believe that considering my interests, experiences, and passion, I would do a good job as the Graduate Student Representative position in Division of Emerging Learning Technologies to help improving the connection between the Graduate Student Assembly and provides a call for graduate students to DELT leadership.