Daisy Barreto Receives Online Teaching Award

Daisy Barreto has received UNCW’s Excellence in Online Education Award. The award is presented annually by the Office of Distance Education and eLearning (DEeL) to a UNCW instructor who has demonstrated outstanding, multi-faceted contributions to online teaching and learning in the past academic year. Dr. Barreto is an associate professor and coordinator of WCE’s Master of Science in Instructional Technology (MIT) program.

Lucy Holman, associate provost for teaching, learning and library services, and dean of the library presented the award on behalf of DEeL at the 2025 Faculty Awards Celebration held on April 29.

“This award recognizes Daisy’s innovation and dedication to her students’ success in the classroom and beyond,” Dr. Holman said. “Her Instructional Technology 511 “Multimedia Design & Development” fully online course actively engages students in the learning of cognitive learning theories, color, design, and multimedia principles through a project-based approach using a wide range of multimedia applications. Dr. Barreto also incorporates gamification into her course, using scenarios, clues, and challenges to create interactive learning experiences with real-world relevance that help students enhance their problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, and technical skills.”

Barreto earned her Ph.D. in Learning, Design, and Technology from the University of Georgia and worked as a multimedia developer for non-profit and higher education institutions prior to joining the faculty at UNCW in 2015. Her research interests include strategies that support and foster successful and effective learning environments for online students, STEAM education and game-based learning approaches.

“An effective online teaching requires a well-planned and thoughtful design from the instructor’s part,” Barreto said. “Just like in a physical classroom, students need the online environment to be a space where they can build community with fellow classmates, learn the course content without feeling overwhelmed, and engage in activities and assignments that are relevant to their future work and career. I strive to provide this to my students and to model to them what good instructional design looks like so they can implement these practices in their work.”

About Watson’s Instructional Technology Programs

WCE’s Master of Science in Instructional Technology (MIT) provides a pathway to a high paying career in the $110 billion educational technology industry. Students with a bachelor’s degree in any field are eligible to apply. Courses are fully online, and applied learning opportunities offered throughout the program enable MIT students to develop a professional portfolio of work prior to graduation.

Post-baccalaureate certificate programs in Instructional Technology, Multimedia and Instructional Web Development, and Online Teaching and Learning are also offered. For more information, please visit the Instructional Technology website.