The Interdisciplinary Journal for Research on Pedagogy and Learning Design
This new journal is dedicated to advancing the field of applied pedagogy and learning theory by disseminating research, best practices and innovative approaches to teaching and learning in higher education.
In alignment with its vision to become a national leader in higher education teaching and learning research, this journal emphasizes interdisciplinary scholarship, innovation and evidence-based practices that inform policy and professional development.
Thematic Focus: AI in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
- Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping higher education, offering unprecedented opportunities to enhance teaching effectiveness and student learning. From AI-driven personalized learning platforms to intelligent tutoring systems and administrative automation, these tools promise to boost educational outcomes and efficiency. At the same time, these technologies raise important questions about ethics, value and the evolving role of instructors, underscoring the urgency of addressing its opportunities and challenges in education now, noting that AI can help achieve educational priorities at scale while educators proactively mitigate risks. Since students have already begun embracing generative AI tools, it is crucial for higher education to adopt a thoughtful, balanced approach to integrating AI in teaching and learning.
- We seek original contributions that explore how these technologies intersect with pedagogy, curriculum design, assessment and student engagement in postsecondary contexts. Papers may investigate the benefits of AI for personalized learning, analyze challenges such as academic integrity and data privacy, or examine the implications of AI-driven tools supporting opportunity for all in teaching and learning.
Possible Topics of Interest
- Artificial Intelligence-Enhanced Learning Experiences: Personalized and adaptive learning systems, intelligent tutoring and AI-driven feedback mechanisms for students.
- Curriculum and Instructional Design with AI: Innovative uses of AI in course design, content creation (e.g., generative AI for simulations or materials) and AI’s role in fostering critical thinking and creativity.
- Assessment and Academic Integrity: AI applications in student assessment and grading, plagiarism detection, and strategies to uphold academic integrity in the age of AI.
- Faculty Development and AI Literacy: Preparing and training instructors to effectively use AI tools, as well as case studies of faculty integrating AI into their teaching practice.
- Policy and Ethical Implications: Governance of AI in higher education, ethical considerations (bias, privacy and access disparities) and the impact of AI on higher education policies and decision-making.
Key Dates
Areas of Submission
Submissions in the following areas may be made at any time during the posted submission window.
- Research articles (Empirical Studies) (3,000 - 8,000 words): Rigorous quantitative, qualitative or mixed-method studies that report original research findings on AI in teaching and learning.
- Conceptual and Theoretical Papers (2,000 - 8,000 words): Scholarly essays or analytical papers that advance pedagogical theory, propose new frameworks or critique existing paradigms related to AI in higher education.
- Case Studies and Practice-Based Reflections (2,000-5,000 words): Detailed examinations of AI implementations or innovations in classroom or institutional settings, highlighting lessons learned and evidence of impact on teaching effectiveness or student outcomes
- Book Note (800 - 1000 words): Highlights a particular book relevant to the theme of AI in teaching and writing.
- Book Reviews(1000-1500 words): Critical reviews of recent books or reports relevant to the theme of AI in teaching and learning. Please inquire about the suitability of titles before submitting a full review.
All submissions must be original works not previously published and not under consideration elsewhere. Interdisciplinary collaborations are especially encouraged. The journal serves as a hub for educators and researchers across disciplines to share insights and advance the scholarship of teaching and learning.
APA format
Use APA format found in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), 7th Edition.
Must Include
Before you begin the submission process, please be sure you have the following items:
- Article Title
- Article abstract (100-150 words, separate from the article body)
- Keywords for the article (3-6)
- Article as a PDF
Format and Style
Document Structure
- Ensure that there are no mark-ups or comments in the manuscript, unless they are meant to be part of the final text. (Within your word processing software, you may need to "accept all changes" in track changes or set your document to "normal" in final markup.).
- Page size should be 8.5 x 11-inches.
- All margins (left, right, top and bottom) should be 1 inch (2.54 cm), including pages with tables and figures.
- Layout of the text should be in a single column, with left justified text.
- Tables and figures should be placed at the end of your manuscript, with each table or figure on a separate page.
- Submit your manuscript, including tables, figures, appendices, etc., as a single PDF file.
- If figures are included, use high-resolution images (minimum 180 dpi), preferably encoded as encapsulated PostScript (eps).
Formatting
- Do not include a title page with the body of your submission. Begin the body of your document with the abstract. (A title page will be added to your paper by the editors.)
- Do not include page numbers, headers, or footers. These will be added by the editors.
- The name(s) of the author(s) should not appear in the original submission of the manuscript. You should also remove the names of academic or independent institutions that might offer information that could potentially identify the author(s). The names of authors, if present in the text, should be replaced with “Author 1,” “Author 2,” etc. The names of institutions should be replaced with “Institution 1,” Institution 2,” etc.
- Line spacing for all text except that in tables or graphs should be double spaced.
- Single-space text within tables and graphs.
- Use 12 point Times New Roman for the body of the text.
- Indent all paragraphs except those following a section heading. An indent should be at least 3 em-spaces (.5 inches, or 1.27 cm).
- Do not insert extra space between paragraphs of text, with the exception of block quotations, theorems, propositions, special remarks, etc. These should be set off from the surrounding text by additional space above and below.
- Do not "widow" or "orphan" text (i.e., ending a page with the first line of a paragraph or beginning a page with the last line of a paragraph).
Language and Grammar
All submissions are to be in English. Please avoid using colloquialisms and regional terminology that may be unknown to an international audience. Except for common foreign words and phrases, the use of foreign words and phrases should be avoided
Important Notes
All identifying information should be removed from the manuscript to enable blind review.
All submissions must be accessible and adhere to standard accessibility practices (e.g., the use of heading styles, alt text for images, accessible tables and lists, and readable text formats).
Ready to submit?
Submission Process
To submit your transcript or ask questions, please email IJRPLD@sdstate.edu.
After submitting your manuscript, you should receive confirmation of submittal within 7 days.
All authors will be notified of the status of their submission by April 1, 2026.
After submitting your manuscript, you should receive confirmation of submittal within 7 days.
All authors will be notified of the status of their submission by April 1, 2026.
Editors
Executive Co-Editors
- Kevin Sackreiter, South Dakota State University
- Victor Taylor, South Dakota State University
Managing Editors
- Jamie Fryslie, South Dakota State University
- Haley Greer, Iowa State University
Associate Editors
- Samuel Jay, Metropolitan State University of Denver
- Nicole Lounsbery, South Dakota State University
- Shouhong Zhang, South Dakota State University
Boards
Advisory Board
- David Blakesley, Clemson University
- Darcy Briggs, South Dakota Mines
- Pamela Carriveau, Black Hills State University
- David Earnest, South Dakota State University
- Erin Fouberg, Northern State University
- Graeme Harper, Oakland University
- Jason Kemnitz, University of South Dakota
- Laura Niesen de Abruña, Metropolitan State University of Denver
- Evan Ortlieb, South Dakota State University
- Daniel Scholl, South Dakota State University
- Todd Zakrajsek, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Editorial Board
- Mary Bowne, Center for Professional Enrichment and Teaching Excellence and College of Education and Human Sciences, South Dakota State University
- Leda Cempellin, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, South Dakota State University
- Liz Droke, College of Education and Human Sciences, South Dakota State University
- Theresa Garren-Grubbs, College of Nursing, South Dakota State University
- Greg Heiberger, interim dean of the Van D. and Barbara B. Fishback Honors College, South Dakota State University
- Brittney Meyer, College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, South Dakota State University
- Greg Michna, Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering, South Dakota State University
- Madhav Nepal, College of Natural Sciences, South Dakota State University
- Rosie Nold, College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and Department of Animal Science, South Dakota State University
Contact Us
Center for Professional Enrichment and Teaching Excellence
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