Dr. Nan Thornton
Educational Background
PhD Educational Psychology, Specialization in Learning and Instructional Technology. Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, 1989.
MS Speech and Hearing, Specialization in Education of the Hearing Impaired. Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, 1978.
BS Psychology and Speech. College of St. Catherine, St. Paul, Minnesota, 1976
Areas of Substantive Knowledge
- Instructional Design
- Instructional Technology
- Instructional Psychology
- Learning Theories
- e-Learning Design and Development
- Interface Design
- Educational Psychology
Research Interests
I am interested in anything that has to do with the psychology of learning. I am fascinated by the learning process. I enjoy working with the technology, but it's the human side of the equation that I am most interested in. How do we learn? How do we remember? What interferes with our learning and memory? How can we make the instructional process more effective? How can we optimize learning?
My research interests revolve around the topics of instructional psychology and instructional design. Specific topics include:
- Problem-based learning
- Interactivity design
- Transfer of learning
- Cognitive load
- Information design
Career Highlights
2003-Present Faculty Chair, Instructional Design for Online Learning, Capella University, Minneapolis, MN
2001-2003 Studio Head and Executive Consultant, Allen Interactions Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota.
1998-2001 Interactivity Mentor, Allen Interactions Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota.
1996-1998 Director of Training, Allen Interactions Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota.
1996-2000 Adjunct Professor, University of St. Thomas, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
1995-1996 Instructional Designer, Allen Interactions Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota.
1992-1995 Assistant Director for Research and Development, Institute for Interactive Technologies, and Assistant Professor of Instructional Technology, Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania.
1989-1992 Assistant Professor of Educational Technology, Department of Professional Teacher Education, University of Nebraska at Kearney, Kearney, Nebraska.
1988-1989 Training Specialist, Human Resources Training and Development, McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company, Mesa, Arizona.
1978-1981 Teacher of the Hearing Impaired, Central Institute for the Deaf, St. Louis, Missouri.
Personal Interests
I am a voracious reader and I enjoy travel, needlepoint, swimming, and playing with my cairn terrier.