Leila Ann Mills, PhD

Learning Technologist
Postdoctoral Research Fellow: LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave
Observatory), LIGO Livingston Observatory (LLO), California Institute of
Technology (Caltech), housed in Livingston, LA
Adjunct Faculty: University of North Texas, Department of Learning Technologies,
Denton, TX
Permanent Address: 1422 Wheatfall Lane, Austin TX 78748
Email: Leilamills01@gmail.com, leila.mills@ligo.org, leilamills@my.unt.edu
Phone: 469-667-8122

EDUCATION
August 2013

PhD in Learning Technologies

University of North Texas, Department of Learning Technologies: Computer
Education and Cognitive Systems
Dissertation: Indicators of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
(STEM) Career Interest among Middle School Students in the USA
Advisors: Gerald Knezek, PhD (Regents Professor), Tandra Tyler-Wood, PhD
(Professor)

May 2001

MA in Interdisciplinary Studies
The University of Texas at Dallas, School of Interdisciplinary Studies
Concentration: Information Technology
Advisor: George Fair, PhD (Dean and Professor)

May 1981

BS in Computer Systems Applications

American University, College of Information, Washington DC, School
Applications: Technology of Management

RESEARCH AREAS

Teaching and Learning with Technology: Transmedia Navigation

Student Attitudes towards STEM Career: Possible Science Selves
Game-based Learning: Serious Science Games
Formal and Informal Learning
Psychometric Measurement, Instrument Development, and Validation

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ACADEMIC POSITIONS
July 2014 - present

Post-doctoral Research Fellow

LIGO, Caltech, Pasadena, CA
Research Location: LLO, Science Education Center (SEC),
Livingston, LA.
Funding: National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Baton Rouge
Foundation
Conducting research on the learning and liking of science

January 2014 present

Adjunct Faculty, Department of Learning Technologies, University of

North Texas
Teaching graduate-level courses in the accelerated online Learning
Technologies Masters degree program

August 2011 December 2013

Research Assistant and Teaching Assistant

Department of Learning Technologies and Institute for Integration of
Technology in Teaching and Learning, University of North Texas
Designed, implemented, analyzed, and published findings for online
study of student preferences for learning with technology. Analyzed
data for the NSF-funded Middle Schoolers Out to Save the World
study, which was the basis of my dissertation. Co-taught preservice teacher preparation class on technology in the classroom.

August 2001 December 2011

Associate Faculty, Department of Business, Information, Engineering,

and Technology, Collin College, Plano Texas
Taught Computer Essentials, Introduction to Computer Programming,
and Object-oriented Programming with C/C++. Designed the online
version of the Computer Essentials course and migrated it to
distance-learning delivery.

August 2004 May 2012

Secondary Mathematics Teacher, Richardson Independent School

District, Richardson, Texas
Mathematics instruction, campus instructional specialist, and test
coordinator

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INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY POSITIONS

1997 - 2002

Systems Analyst, JC Penney Direct Marketing, Plano, TX

Business partner billing systems
Year 2000 conversions
Design, implementation, and support of large-scale entity systems

1982 - 1985

Programmer Analyst, Comp-u-staff, Towson, MD

Information systems consultant
Design, testing, and implementation of real-time, online management
information and reporting systems

1980 - 1982

Systems Engineer, Electronic Data Systems (EDS), Washington, DC

Systems engineer trainee
Computer programmer for large scale development of a financial and
accounting control system

PUBLICATIONS
Mills, L. A., Knezek, G., & Khaddage, F. (2014). Information seeking, information sharing, and
going mobile: Three bridges to informal learning. Computers in Human Behavior, 32, 324334.
Mills, L. A., Wakefield, J. S., & Knezek, G. A. (2014). Student-driven Classroom Technologies:
Transmedia Navigation and Transformative Communications. In E-Learning Systems,
Environments, and Approaches: Theory and Implementation, Springer, in press.
Wakefield, S., Mills, L., & Wakefield, A. (2014, June). Gender differences and middle school
students views of smartphone and social media for learning, social connections, and
entertainment. Proceedings of EdMedia 2014 World Conference on Educational Media and
Technology. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computers in Education
(AACE). In press.
Mills, L. (2013). Middle school predictors of STEM career interest: Indicators of STEM career
interest among public middle school students in the United States. Doctoral dissertation,
University of North Texas, Denton, http://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc283852/
Mills, L., Knezek, G., Tyler-Wood, T., Christensen, R. & Dunn-Rankin, P. (2013). Exploring the
relationship between middle school students technology affinity and attitudes toward school.
In R. McBride & M. Searson (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology &
Teacher Education, International Conference 2013 (pp. 2269-2272). Chesapeake, VA:
Association for the Advancement of Computers in Education (AACE).
Mills, L. A., Knezek, G. A., & Khaddage, F. (2013). Information seeking, information sharing,
and going mobile: Informal learning in technology pervasive learning environments.
Computers in Human Behavior, Special Issue, CHB2337 - 10.1016/j.chb.2013.08.008

Mills

Mills, L. A., Knezek, G. A., & Wakefield, J. S. (2013). Understanding information seeking
behavior in technology pervasive learning environments of the 21st century. Turkish Online
Journal of Educational Technology. 14(4).
Warren, S. J., Wakefield, J. S., & Mills, L. A. (2013). Learning and teaching as communicative
actions: Transmedia storytelling. In L. Wankel, & P. Blessinger. Increasing student
engagement and retention using multimedia technologies: Video annotation, multimedia
applications, videoconferencing, and transmedia storytelling. Cutting-edge technologies in
higher education. Bingley, UK: Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
Mayes, G., Mills, L., Christensen, R., & Knezek, G. (2012, March). Evolution of technology
proficiency perceptions: Construct validity for the Technology Proficiency Self-Assessment
(TPSA) questionnaire from a longitudinal perspective. Proceedings of the Society for
Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2012 (Vol. 2012, No.
1, pp. 1988-1993).
Mills, L. & Knezek, G. (2012). Measuring learning preferences within the integrated
communications learning landscape. In P. Resta (Ed.), Proceedings of the Society for
Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2012 (pp. 19941999). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
Mills, L., Wakefield, J., Najmi, A., Surface, D., Christensen, R., & Knezek, G. (2012). Validating
the Computer Attitude Questionnaire NSF ITEST (CAQ N/I). In Bastiaens, T. J., & Marks, G.
H. Education And Information Technology 2012: A Selection Of AACE Award Papers. (pp.
249-256). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
Mills, L. A., Knezek, G. A., & Wakefield, J. S. (2012, February). Learning with social media:
Measurement tools for understanding information behavior in technology pervasive
environments in the 21st century. Proceedings of the Annual iConference, (pp. 593600). Fort Worth, Texas.
Periathiruvadi, S., Knezek, G., Tyler-Wood, T. L., & Mills, L. (2012, April). Predictors of STEM
career interest among attitudes and dispositions of middle school students. AERA Online
Paper Repository, 2012 Annual Meeting. Washington, DC: AERA.
Tyler-Wood, T.L., Periathiruvadi, S., Mills, L., & Knezek, G. (2012, April). Simulating students
with hearing differences in virtual classrooms: The use of simulations for training teachers to
work with students with special needs. AERA Online Paper Repository, 2012 Annual
Meeting. Washington, DC: AERA.
Wakefield, J., Mills, L., Warren, J. S., Rankin, M., & Gratch, J. (2012, April). Design, play,
communicate, and learn: Examining the value of learning history through avatar role play.
AERA Online Paper Repository, 2012 Annual Meeting. Washington, DC: AERA.
Wakefield, J., Warren, S., & Mills, L. (2012, March). Traits, skills, & competencies aligned with
workplace demands: What today's instructional designers need to master. Proceedings of
the Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2012
(Vol. 2012, No. 1, pp. 3126-3132). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.

Mills

Wakefield, J. S., Warren, S. J., Rankin, M. A., Mills, L. A., & Gratch, J. S. (2012). Learning and
teaching as communicative actions: Improving historical knowledge and cognition through
Second Life avatar role play. Knowledge Management & E-Learning: An International
Journal, 4(3), 258-278.
Mills, L., Hopper, S., Wakefield, J., & Knezek, G. (2011). Relationship of technology affinity to
STEM dispositions in higher education learners. Proceedings of the World Conference
on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2011 (pp.
2452-2454). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
Mills, L., Tyler-Wood, T., & Knezek, G. (2011). Understanding student attitudes towards school:
A literature review. In M. Koehler & P. Mishra (Eds.), Proceedings of the Society for
Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2011 (pp. 15661571). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
Warren, S., Gratch, J., Najmi, A., Blackwell, D., Mills, L., Zhu, S., Trombley, A., Fuller, M., &
Lee, J. (2011, April). A comparison of traditional expository narrative documentary and
critical cin-ethnography products as research outcomes. AERA Online Paper
Repository, 2011 Annual Meeting. Washington, DC: AERA.
Warren, S., Gratch, J., Najmi, A., Blackwell, D., Mills, L., Zhu, S., Trombley, A., Fuller, M., &
Lee, J. (2011, April). Lived experiences of teachers and technology: Acritical cinethnography documenting technology use in today's schools. AERA Online Paper
Repository, 2012 Annual Meeting. Washington, DC: AERA.

PRESENTATIONS
Mills, L. A., & Lin, L. (2014, October). Self concept and career interest: Persistent possible
science selves. Paper presented at the 11th International Conference on Cognition and
Exploratory Learning in the Digital Age, Porto, Portugal.
Mills, L. (2014, October). Possible science selves: Informal learning and the career interest
development process. Paper presented at the 11th International Conference on Cognition
and Exploratory Learning in the Digital Age, Porto, Portugal.
Wakefield, S., Mills, L., & Wakefield, A. (2014, June). Gender differences and middle school
students views of smartphone and social media for learning, social connections, and
entertainment. Paper presented at the EdMedia 2014 World Conference on Educational
Media and Technology, Tampere, Finland.
Mills, L., Knezek, G., & Wakefield, J. (2013, October). Student-driven classroom technologies:
Transmedia navigation and transformative communications. Paper presented at the 10th
International Conference on Cognition and Exploratory Learning in the Digital Age, Fort
Worth, Texas.
Wakefield, J. S., Mills, L. A., & Warren, S. J. (2013, June). Learning and teaching as
communicative actions: New ways of learning Transmedia. Paper presented at the
EdMedia 2013 World Conference on Educational Media & Technology, Victoria, British
Columbia. Canada.

Mills

Mills, L. A., Knezek, G. A., & Wakefield, J. S. (2012, February). Learning with social media:
Measurement tools for understanding information behavior in technology pervasive
environments of the 21st century. Paper presented at the iConference, Fort Worth, Texas.
Mills, L., Knezek, G., Tyler-Wood, T., Christensen, R. & Dunn-Rankin, P. (2013, March).
Exploring the relationship between middle school student technology affinity and attitudes
towards school. Paper presented at the Society for Information Technology & Teacher
Education International Conference 2013, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Periathiruvadi, S., Knezek, G., Tyler-Wood, T. L., & Mills, L. (2012, April). Predictors of STEM
career interest among attitudes and dispositions of middle school students. Paper presented
at the American Educational Research Association Conference, Vancouver, British
Columbia, Canada.
Mills, L. & Knezek, G. (2012, March). Measuring learning preferences within the integrated
communications learning landscape. Paper presented at the Society for Information
Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2012, Austin, Texas.
Knezek, G., Mills, L., Wakefield, J., & Hopper, S. (2012, March). Relationship of Technology
Affinity to STEM Career Perceptions in High School and College Students. Paper presented
at the Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference
2012, Austin, Texas.
Wakefield, J., Warren, S., & Mills, L. (2012, March). Traits, skills, & competencies aligned with
workplace demands: What today's instructional designers need to master. Paper presented
at the Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference
2012, Austin, Texas.
Wakefield, J., Mills, L., Warren, J.S., Rankin, M., & Gratch, J. (2012, April). Design, Play,
Communicate, and Learn: Examining the Value of Learning History through Avatar Role
Play. Paper presented at the American Educational Research Association Conference,
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Tyler-Wood, T.L., Periathiruvadi, S., Mills, L., & Knezek, G. (2012, April). The use of
simulations for training teachers with students with special needs. Paper presented at the
American Educational Research Association Conference, Vancouver, British Columbia,
Canada.
Warren, S., Gratch, J., Najmi, A., Blackwell, D., Mills, L., Zhu, S., Trombley, A., Fuller, M., &
Lee, J. (2011, April). Comparison of Traditional Expository Narrative Documentary and
Critical Cin-Ethnography Products as Research Outcomes. Paper presented at the
American Educational Research Association Conference, New Orleans, LA.
Warren, S., Gratch, J., Najmi, A., Blackwell, D., Mills, L., Zhu, S., Trombley, A., Fuller, M., &
Lee, J. (2011, April). Lived Experiences of Teachers and Technology: A Critical CinEthnography Documenting Technology Use in Today's Schools. Paper presented at the
American Educational Research Association Conference, New Orleans, LA.
Mills, L., Hopper, S., Wakefield, J., & Knezek, G. (2011, October). Relationship of Technology
Affinity to STEM Dispositions in Higher Education Learners. Paper presented at the E-Learn
World Conference on E-Learning 2011, Honolulu, HI.

Mills

Mills, L., Wakefield, J., Najmi, A., Surface, D., Christensen, R., & Knezek, G. (2011, March).
Validating the Computer Attitude Questionnaire NSF ITEST (CAQ N/I). Paper presented at
the Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2011,
Nashville, TN.
Mills, L., Tyler-Wood, T., & Knezek, G. (2011, March). Understanding student attitudes towards
school: a literature review. Paper presented at the Society for Information Technology &
Teacher Education International Conference 2011, Nashville, TN.

SESSION CHAIR
2015

Chair for Roundtable and Paper Presentations, AERA

2014

Chair for Paper Presentations, AERA

REVIEWER
2014

International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies (ICALT), Institute

for Electronics and Electrical Engineers (IEEE)

2013-2014

SITE, Research Measurement SIG, team member for review of conference

submissions

2012

Review of peer submissions to L. Wankel and P. Blessinger

2012

Evaluation of online courses for Virginia Public Television

2012

Data consistency check, The University of Texas at Dallas Orientation 1010

Project

COURSES TAUGHT

CECS 5800 Online Design & Pedagogy

LTEC 4100 Technology Integration for Pre-service Teachers, University of North
Texas (co-taught)
COSC1300 Computers & Technology, Collin College
COSC 1436 Programming Fundamentals I C++, Collin College
COSC 1437 Programming Fundamentals II Object-Oriented Programming,
Collin College

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AFFILIATIONS

International Mind Brain in Education Society (IMBES)

American Educational Research Association (AERA)
Cognition and Exploratory Learning in the Digital Age (CELDA)
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
National Council of Teachers of Math (NCTM)
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)
Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE)
Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT)
Society for Integration of Technology in Teacher Education (SITE)

AWARDS AND HONORS

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship: NSF, Caltech, LIGO SEC, July 2014present

Invited speaker: UNT Learning Technologies PhD students annual cohort
conference, summer 2013, San Antonio, TX
Best paper award: International Association for Development of the Information
Society, 2012 International Conference on Cognition and Exploratory Learning
in the Digital Age
Outstanding paper award: Association for the Advancement of Computing in
Education, Society for Integration of Technology in Teacher Education 2011
Outstanding teacher award: Richardson ISD, November 2010

SERVICE

Collin College Workforce Program Advisory Board: Computer Science

Texas Instruments Mathematics Teacher Advisory, Richardson ISD
Richardson Education Authority
Region10 Decathlon Teacher for Richardson ISD
Austin (TX) ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) Connections Volunteer

CERTIFICATIONS

Software Engineering, Collin College Professional Certification

Texas Principal EC-12
Texas Teacher: Mathematics 4-8
Texas Teacher Mathematics 8-12
Texas Teacher: Computer Science 8-12
Texas Teacher: English as a Second Language (ESL)

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CREDENTIALS

Differentiated Instruction, Curry School of Education, University of VA

Talent & Gifted Mathematics Instruction, The University of Texas at Dallas
RISD Leadership Development Academy, Richardson ISD, Richardson TX
Spanish for Education Administrators, Richardson ISD
English as Second Language: Limited English Proficiency Strat egies in the
General Education Classroom, RISD
Texas Adolescent Literacy Academy (TALA), Region 10 Education Service
Center, Richardson, TX
Proactive Student Behavior Management, Safe & Civil Schools
Collin College Teacher Certification Program, Plano, TX
Managing Projects in Organizations, George Washington University, DC
iTeachTexas Education Administration Certification Program, Collin College,
Plano, TX
Electronic Data Systems: Systems Engineer Development Program, Bethesda,
MD