Dr. Rhonda Robinson IVLA Conference Student Scholarship
Dr. Rhonda S Robinson, Distinguished Teaching Professor, emeritus, Educational Technology, Research, and Assessment, Northern Illinois University, is a long-time IVLA member and contributor. Rhonda worked with educational technology and assessment as well as teacher training for technology. She has spent her career working around ideas of visual learning and literacy. Originally an English teacher in middle school, Rhonda was very interested in media literacy and language arts and began to pursue media production in her master’s and doctorate degrees. Beginning with ‘old media,’ Rhonda’s techniques now span into the digital realm, encouraging students to analyze imagery from newspapers and video, tapping into kids’ (and their teachers’) natural creative abilities.
As an IVLA Board member, Rhonda helped plan and organize conferences in San Francisco and Chicago and has most recently been involved with several smaller museums in Chicago, where she helped CPS teachers integrate visual literacy activities and CCSS into their existing practices. Rhonda also recorded an NIU STEAM Podcast along with illustrator Tom Lichtenheld, discussing the importance of visuals for learning. Her active membership and involvement in IVLA for over 30 years has given our members so many irreplaceable opportunities for learning, for professional development, for exciting travel to international locales, for collaborative projects, as well as her friendship.
The IVLA will award several IVLA conference scholarships in 2021 to enable students who lack financial support to have an opportunity to attend the conference. The IVLA will select applicants who are enrolled at a college or university. Individual scholarships will include IVLA membership for two years. One of the awards is reserved for a minority student.
Timeline
Apply from: May 1, 2021
Deadline to apply: August 15, 2021
Notification of results: September 1, 2021
Eligibility
- 18 years of age or older
- No organizational support or reimbursement to attend the conference
- Has not attended the conference in the past three years
- Applicants must be full-time graduate or undergraduate students.
- You will need a google account to upload documents to the application.
How to Apply
Complete the online application form to include:
- Contact & demographic information
- Three short essay questions about your career and learning objectives*
- Resume
- Proof of Age
- Proof of attendance at an academic institution.
- A statement of support from an instructor or supervisor **
* Three short essay questions
- Please discuss your interest and enthusiasm for visual literacy, including your involvement in visual literacy activities and organizations.
- Why are you interested in attending the 53rd Annual IVLA Conference? Is there a speaker or theme that really excites you? Describe your interest in that field of research.
- How will a scholarship to our conference contribute to your career development?
**Statement may be completed by a co-worker, current or former supervisor, professor, or other professional contacts. The applicant must request the statement of support through the Student Scholarship letter of support online application. The statement of support is made up of a series of short answer questions and must be completed via invitation through the online application. Statements from family members will not be accepted.
The review committee will select individuals who demonstrate that they are most likely to leverage the opportunity. They will seek candidates who are eager to learn and plan to apply the skills and knowledge gained to benefit their careers, their organizations, and their communities. New and Non- IVLA members are encouraged to apply.
All applicants will be notified of results via email by close of business on September 1, 2021.
If selected for an award, applicants must confirm their ability to attend the event and provide their tax ID number so that we are able to cut a check for reimbursement at the conference and for our 1099 form. They must be willing to sign a release form so they can be featured in future conference promotions, including–but not limited to–live appearances on stage, press and video interviews and IVLA board members. Scholarship winners also will be expected to provide a follow-up interview with the IVLA board to discuss their experiences and share what they learned.
Please direct all inquiries to president[at]ivla.org
