Dan Cernusca, PhD

Associate Professor/ Instructional Designer
118G Sudro Hall

Dan.Cernusca@ndsu.edu 

Education

Ph.D. Information Science and Learning Technologies, 2007
Master of Business Administration, 1997
University of Missouri - Columbia, Columbia MO

Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, 1996
BS Manufacturing Engineering, 1985
“Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu - Sibiu, Romania

Areas of Expertise 

  • Instructional Design for meaningful learning
  • Learning and Teaching with technology in face-to-face, blended, or online classroom;
  • Impact of technology on learners’ engagement, conceptual understanding and conceptual change;
  • Cognitive tools and their impact on learners’ conceptual understanding of complex topics;

Professional Memberships

AACE - Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (2001-2012; 2021- to date)
AACP - American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (since 2013)
AECT - Association for Educational Communications and Technology (Since 2002)
ASEE - American Society for Engineering Education (since 2007)
ISLS - International Society of the Learning Sciences (since 2003)

Selected Journal Publications 

Geana, M.V., Cernusca, D., & Liu, P. (2023). Beyond the Dawn of Virtualized Learning Environments: A Comparative Study of Video and Augmented Reality Information Delivery on Student Engagement and Knowledge Retention. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 40(2), 394-409.  https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12890

Frenzel, J., Kleven, S., & Cernusca, D. (2023). Less Points, Less Stress, Better Learning in a Skills Laboratory Course​ using Alternative Grading, American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, online first, 1-5, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajpe.2023.100620.

Cernusca, D. & Mallik, S. (2022). Successful Transfer of Face-To-Face Active Learning Instructional Design to Online Synchronous Format During COVID-19 Pandemic.  Quarterly Review of Distance Education, 23(1), 1-11.

Cernusca, D. & Mallik, S. (2022). Strengthening Deep Learning in a Professional Doctorate Pharmaceutics Course.  Perceived Impact on Students' Self-Efficacy. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice. 22(8), 114-123.

Frenzel, J., Cernusca, D., Marg, C., & Schotters, B, Eukel, H. (2020). Design Based Research: Studying the Effect of an Escape Room on Students’ Knowledge and Perceptions. Journal of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, 3(7), 1326-1332. doi.org/10.1002/jac5.1290

Cernusca, D., Thompson, S., Riggins, J. (2018). Learning Sterile Procedures through Transformative Reflection. Use of iPad Videos in a Nursing Laboratory Course. Nurse Educator. 43(6), 330-333, doi: 10.1097/NNE.0000000000000491.

Book and Book Chapters

Cernusca, D. & Ionas, I.G. (2014). Design-Based Research as a Form of Action Research. In: J. W. Willis & C. Edwards (Eds.), Action Research. Models, Methods, and Examples (pp.195-220). Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing, Inc.

Jonassen, D. H., Cernusca, D., & Ionas, G. I. (2007). Constructivism and Instructional Design: The Emergence of the Learning Sciences and Design Research. In R. A. Reiser & J. A. Dempsey (Eds.), Trends and Issues in Instructional Design and Technology (2nd ed., pp.45-52). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill/Prentice Hall.

Selected Refereed Articles Published in Conference Proceedings

Cernusca, D., Mallik, S., & Petry, N. (2024). Implementation of Deep-Learning Strategies that Support Development of Adaptive Expertise in Two First-Year Pharmacy Courses. Proceedings of the Annual AECT Convention, 2023. The Journal of Applied Instructional Design, 13(2), 103-105, https://doi.org/10.59668/1269.15709.

Frenzel, J. & Cernusca, D. (2022). Alternative Assessment Practices, Grading Less, and Learning More in a Health Professions Skills Laboratory Course. In T. Bastiaens (Ed.), Proceedings of EdMedia + Innovate Learning (pp. 96-105). New York City, NY, United States: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). 

Cernusca, D. (2021). From Policing to Learner Analysis: Use of ExamSoft Snapshots to Analyze Students’ Exam Taking Behaviors in Live and Online Exams. 2021 AECT Hybrid International Convention, 44th Annual Proceedings, Vol 1, 42-49.

Cernusca, D., Strand, M. & Petry, N. (2020). Exploratory Steps to Stimulate a Deep Learning Micro-Culture. Introducing Concept Mapping Strategies into a Pharmacy Curriculum. 2020 AECT Virtual International Convention,43rd Annual AECT Proceedings, Nov. 2-7, Virtual, Vol.1, 69-77. Available online: https://members.aect.org/pdf/Proceedings/proceedings20/2020/20_07.pdf

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