Our Team
Carl Heine, Ph.D.
Skype name : informationfluency
Dr. Carl Heine joined the IMSA 21CIF Team in August 2004 after serving for three years as the founding Director of the Illinois International Career Academy at IMSA. Before coming to IMSA he managed the Center for Youth Education at the College of DuPage. At the University of Chicago he earned his doctorate in education, studying the effects of instructional practices on motivation (flow) and achievement. He enjoys creating multimedia applications for learning, synthesizing a range of prior work experiences as a teacher, curriculum developer, composer, set designer, stage director and web animator.
At IMSA, Carl is currently Lead Innovation Architect for online collaboration programs and entrepreneurship after IMSA decided to release the 21CIF program to its authors.
In addition to online instruction, Dr. Heine presents information fluency workshops around the country. In 2007 he and Dennis O'Connor received a "Best of the Best" award from ISTE for their workshop at the Atlanta conference.
Dennis O'Connor
Dennis joined the IMSA 21st Century Information Fluency team in July, 2002. He worked in public schools for 26 years. During that time he taught grades 4 - 8, and served as a District Technology Coordinator, Language Arts Coordinator, Teacher Trainer, and computer industry technical writer. In 1995, Dennis was recognized by the Milken Family Foundation as an outstanding National Educator for his work in technology integration with language arts and science. While working as a project writer on for ISTE, Dennis was inspired to earn a specialized Master's Degree in Online Teaching and Learning. He recently completed a second Master's Degree in Instructional Design.
During the past 7 years he has taught over 50 different online courses for K-16 educators from all around the world. He has designed and teaches online classes in E-Learning, Technology Integration, Multicultural Education, and Writing Assessment for the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Dennis is also the program advisor for the new graduate certificate in E-Learning and Online Teaching program at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
In addition to online instruction, Dennis conducts workshops focusing on the West and SW regions of the country. In 2007 he and Carl Heine received a "Best of the Best" award from ISTE for their workshop at the Atlanta conference.