Tenured Professor
Predictive Analytics
The challenges and opportunites associated with "Big Data" fascinate me -- especially when these data are used by post-secondary administrators to make timely and effective decisions. Two years ago, in my role as Senior Associate Dean, I began developing technical competencies using Tableau Desktop to build real-time dynamic workbooks and dashboards for measuring and visualizing credit hour growth, improving course planning, and tracking student success metrics (e.g., engagement, retention, graduation rates, etc.). Today I enjoy collaborating with UK Institutional Research and Advanced Analytics and other "Tableau Super Users" at the University of Kentucky to develop solutions that improve instutional decision-making and promote student success.
Team-Based Learning
With more than tweny years experience as an advocate and trainer of Team-Based Learning (TBL) I have designed pragmatic tools and creative workshops for helping eductors use this evidence-based student-centered instructional strategy. TBL requires active student participation and emphasizes learning to use concepts rather than merely learning about them. As such, it has two distinctive features: (1) a redefinition of the primary roles and responsibilities in the learning process and (2) the formation of an operational learning environment which incorporates four essential tools (course design, classroom management, student group composition, and performance evaluation). When TBL is used appropriately it engages learners, improves group dynamics, and ultimately increases knowledge and application skills.
Communication Technology Research
We are currently conducting research to understand how people use and learn from communication technologies including robots (mobile virtual presence devices), computers, tablets, and other mobile devices. I'm leading doctoral research teams that are testing models for predicting instructional technology adoption and measuring the impact of technological affordances on actual use. Our innovative CI Collective usability lab also supports interdisciplinary research on human-computer interaction by evaluating prototypes of emerging technologies (e.g., wearable technologies, home automation, and devices that incorporate the Internet of Things (IoT) to collect and exchange data).
Recent Projects
I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.
Edward Everett Hale
About Dr. Lane
Derek R. Lane is Senior Associate Dean in the College of Communication and Information and an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication. He served as as an endowed professor in the UK College of Engineering from 2004-2015 and as Associate Dean for Graduate Programs in Communication from 2005-2009. Dr. Lane's research focuses on how message design reception and processing impacts attitude and behavior change in applied contexts (e.g., instructional, organizational, health, risk and crisis). In addition to research in these areas of communication research, Derek has also published articles on Team-Based Learning related to faculty facilitation skills and peer feedback, risk and crisis communication, and health communication.
His collaborative research has been funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the National Institute of Drug Abuse, the National Institute of Mental Health, and the National Science Foundation and appears in Communication Monographs, Communication Education, Media Psychology, Communication Research Reports, Health Promotion Practice, American Journal of Communication, the Journal of Engineering Education and the Journal of Experimental Education.
He teaches undergraduate courses in communication theory, comparative research methods, small group, organizational, and interpersonal communication as well as training and development, leadership, and communication and technology. He teaches graduate seminars in quantitative research methods, communication theory, instructional communication, training and development, theory construction, advanced survey research methods, leadership and interpersonal communication. Dr. Lane is also the recipient of several prestigious teaching and research awards.