Open SUNY Online Teaching Ambassador 2016 – Herkimer: Bill Pelz

William Pelz is Professor of Psychology at the Herkimer College (HC) of the State University of New York (SUNY). During his more than 45 years at HC he has served as Chair of the Humanities and Social Science Division, Director of Distance Learning, and Instructional Designer for Online Learning for the HC Internet Academy. Throughout his career he has practiced his first love – teaching. Bill has published a number of scholarly articles, primarily in the areas of student and faculty satisfaction with asynchronous teaching and learning. His recent research interests are in isolating the heutagogical factors that influence learner-directed achievement in virtual learning environments and applying the results to innovative blended learning environments. From 1999 through 2009, Bill was the Lead Faculty Trainer for the SUNY Learning Network. In that role he provided pedagogical and technical training and support to more than 2500 SUNY faculty. Bill is an outspoken advocate for Asynchronous Learning Networks (ALNs) and has presented his views and research findings at numerous national and international conferences. In 1994 Prof. Pelz received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, in 2003 he won the Alfred P. Sloan International Award for Excellence in Online Teaching, and in 2006 the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities. Professor Pelz was named a Sloan-C fellow in November, 2013.