Faculty
Dr. Daisyane Barreto
Associate Professor of Instructional Technology & MIT Program Coordinator"Our program is designed to provide hands-on experiences that can prepare you for the job market. Thus, success in this program comes from approaching learning with intention. Treat your assignments as opportunities to create professional artifacts that can curated and showcased to future employers, telling your professional story as an instructional designer/technologist. Students who engage deeply with their work often leave with a portfolio they continue to use well beyond graduation."
Degrees Held:
- Ph.D. Learning, Design, and Technology, The University of Georgia
- M.Ed Instructional Design & Development, The University of Georgia
- B.A. in Elementary Education, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Brazil
Career Highlights:
Dr. Barreto received several significant awards and recognitions highlighting her excellence in teaching, online education, and emerging technology innovation. In 2021, she was honored with the UNCW Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Award, recognizing her outstanding instructional effectiveness and sustained contributions to student learning. Dr. Barreto’s leadership in online learning was further recognized in 2025 when she received UNCW’s DEeL Excellence in Online Education Award, a university‑level honor presented to faculty demonstrating innovation, quality, and impact in online teaching and course design. In recognition of her work in artificial intelligence and higher education, Dr. Barreto was also selected in 2025 to represent UNCW as a member of the CAA Academic Alliance AI Technologies Champion Network (2025–2026 cohort). This competitive, multi‑institutional designation acknowledges faculty leaders who are advancing ethical and effective AI integration across teaching, research, and institutional practice. https://uncw.edu/profiles/b/barretod
Which online degree program(s) do you teach?
- Instructional Technology and certifications
- Workforce Learning
- Online Teaching and Learning minor
Which classes do you teach online?
MIT 511, MIT 514, MIT 516, MIT 518, MIT 513, MIT 510, MIT 523, MIT 598
What types of projects can online students expect in your course?
Authentic, project-based assignments that reflect real-world instructional design work. In my course, these include designing job aids, developing eLearning modules, creating multimedia learning experiences, and building a professional portfolio website to showcase their work.
What do you want students to learn in these courses?
My goal is for students to learn how to design purposeful, meaningful, accessible, and ethical learning experiences. This includes applying instructional design principles and theories in their work and being able to communicate their design decisions clearly. I also want students to develop confidence in their professional identity and positioning their work strategically for future employers.
Why did you start teaching?
Teaching is my calling! I believe in the power of education and in the importance of empowering students to pursue their dreams and professional goals. Supporting and mentoring students as they work toward those goals brings me great fulfillment. I am a warm demander type of instructor. I build strong, supportive relationships with students while also holding high expectations. I believe students rise to the level of challenge when they feel supported, respected, and encouraged to do their best work.
What advice would you give to those considering this online program?
If you enjoy creating, reflecting, and refining your work and if you’re interested in graduating with a portfolio that represents your skills and growth, you’ll find this program experience rewarding. My advice is to approach each course not as a set of tasks to complete, but as an opportunity to build professional artifacts, you’ll be proud to share with future employers. With the accelerated format, it is important to plan the time you will dedicate to each class and work wisely.
What is the one book you think everyone should read?
Selecting one book may be difficult, but I do recommend E-Learning, and the Science of Instruction: Proven Guidelines for Consumers and Designers of Multimedia Learning book, by Ruth C. Clark and Richard E. Mayer, if you want to understand more about designing and developing multimedia artifacts. Another one is White Space Is Not Your Enemy by Rebecca Hagen and Kim Golombisky. I have received positive feedback from students that this book has changed how they design visually.
Tell us something interesting about yourself that your students might not know.
I enjoy listening to audiobooks on my way to work, and I work out at the UNCW Recreational Center quite often.
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