Sandra Turner, Professor Emeritus of Instructional Technology

ATHENS, Ohio (Nov. 9, 2009) - Sandra Turner, Professor Emeritus of Educational Technology, passed away on Monday, Oct. 26. She was the beloved wife of James “Jack” Turner; loving mother of David (Laura) and Dana (the late Kevin) Thomson; dear grandmother of Lauren, Ben, Hannah, Sophia and Quinn; fond sister of Gary Vogel, Mary Jane (Bill) Friend and Charles (Beth) Vogel.

Sandra Turner came to Ohio University in 1996, joining as a professor and program coordinator in the Department of Instructional Technology at The Patton College of Education. She also served as the chair of the Department of Educational Studies.

“Sandy was the first department chair of Educational Studies,” said Professor Gordon Brooks, who teaches educational research and evaluation at Ohio University. “She was respected as a leader for her calm and rationale approach to issues as well as her dedication to students and to social justice.” 

Turner received her bachelor’s degree in 1967 from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. She then attended the University of South Florida, where she received her master’s degree in mathematics in 1976 and her doctorate in mathematics education in 1982. Though her doctorate was in mathematics education, the focus of her professional work was related to integrating technology in education as a tool for teaching and learning.

Prior to her tenure at Ohio University, Turner worked as a mathematics teacher in secondary schools in Florida and Botswana. From 1983 to 1996, she taught in the Department of Technology in Education at National-Louis University.

During her time at Ohio University, Turner received grants related to technology in education from the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Education, Ohio Learning Network, Martha Holden Jennings Foundation and Toyota Foundation, many with her valued colleague, Professor Teresa Franklin. She primarily researched constructivist learning environments, gender issues in education, technology and international development and qualitative research methodology.

“She has given much to education and was continuing to give of herself to a rapidly changing field,” said Milton Ploghoft, Professor Emeritus and Senior Research Fellow of the African Educational Research Network.

Turner, who had a love for international education, poses with her colleages

At Ohio University, Turner supervised over 35 master’s research projects (primarily classroom-based action research) and 20 doctoral dissertations focusing on the use of technology in K-12 and higher education. She co-authored four books and wrote over twenty-five pieces for various publications, as well as designed a piece of software, Data Collector 2.0: A qualitative research tool.

From 2003 to 2005, Turner went on leave to represent Ohio University in Ghana as a Fulbright Scholar. She also was an educational technology consultant in Jordan, Ghana, South Africa, China, and Botswana.

“Sandy was a valuable member of our faculty and a consummate professional,” said James E. Schultz, Robert L. Morton Professor Emeritus of Mathematics Education. “She had a special love of Africa and its people. When Sandy invited me to Ghana to do workshops for local teachers, I was able to see first-hand her truly amazing, much-appreciated accomplishments.”

Dr. David Adewuyi, managing editor of The African Symposium, recalled Turner's “love for educating African students in educational technology as exemplified by her many years of work in Ghana. Her loss is irreplaceable and we shall miss her.” 

Story by R. Devin Hughes; Photos provided by faculty member.

Memories

"Sandy was a valuable member of our faculty and a consummate professional.  She had a special love of Africa and its people. When Sandy invited me to Ghana to do workshops for local teachers, I was able to see first-hand her truly amazing, much-appreciated accomplishments."

-James E. Schultz
Robert L. Morton Professor Emeritus of Mathematics Education Ohio University 

"I am saddened to learn of Sandy's passing.  I am sure this is a difficult time for you and the faculty, staff and students of The Patton College.  I got to know Sandy back in 1997 as we took part in a teaching colloquium put on by the Center for Teaching Excellence.  I very much enjoyed meeting her and talking about teaching.  I wish I had found more time to talk with her more."

-Dave Carr 

"I am honored to have this opportunity to share my remembrance of Sandy Turner as an outstanding professor and academic administrator of Information Technology at Ohio University. Sandy and I shared a strong interest in African educational development and in recent years she had made valuable contributions to the activities of the African Educational Research Network with major presentations to AERN conferences in Botswana, at North Carolina State, and was scheduled to work with faculty at Uganda Martyrs University in Kampala at the time she fell ill. She had given much to education and was continuing to give of herself to a rapidly changing field."

-Milton Ploghoft 
Professor Emeritus and Senior Research Fellow of the AERN 

"Sandy Turner was also a most valued member of the African Studies faculty and gave generously of her time to work with students from Africa. We are sorry for the great loss." 

-Steve Howard 
Director, African Studies and Institute for the African Child Director, Graduate Studies, Center for International Studies Professor, Media Arts and Studies Ohio University 
 
"We at Uganda Martyrs University, Kampala, Uganda, have heard with shock of the very sad news of Sandra Turner's passing away. Sandra was due to visit Uganda as a Fulbright Scholar to assist our University is setting up a master’s program in ICT, similar to the one that she had helped set up in Ghana in liaison with Ohio University. Our thoughts and prayers go to the bereaved family and friends, and may her soul rest in eternal peace!"

-Professor Barnabas Otaala 
Dean, Faculty of Education, Uganda Martyrs University 

"At the University of the Cumberlands (formerly Cumberland College) where I taught for 10 years, Sandra used to co-teach educational technology with me. She did this with me for about three years.  I learned a few tricks from her. At that time digital cameras were not common. She brought a Sony Digital Camera (1.6 Mega Pixels) to my class and used it for and interesting class project. She won the hearts of the students in the class. She shared numerous ideas with me about her educational trips to Ghana. May she rest in peace." 

-Kwabena 

"It is with profound sadness and a deep sense of loss that AERN learned of the sudden and untimely death of one of our active members, Dr. Sandra Turner.  Any member who had attended our summits which Sandra also attended will remember her insightful and helpful contributions. At our Ohio University summit in 2007, Sandra and her husband generously hosted members in their home, where food and drinks flowed inexhaustibly.

We also recall her love for educating African students in educational technology as exemplified by her many years of work in Ghana. Her loss is irreplaceable and we shall miss her. May God give her family the fortitude to bear her loss and May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

Amen."

-David A. Adewuyi 
Associate Professor, Coordinator of International Studies Program & Secondary Education Managing Editor, The African Symposium Virginia Union University 

"Sandra's death is obviously most unexpected. She is one of those I was looking forward to meeting at Virginia. I had numerous heart-felt academic and social interactions with her during the dinner she and her husband hosted for the group at Ohio. And alas!!!, now she is no more. What a pity. She was to be one of the reviewers for the Child-centered Teaching Modules which my team produced for UNICEF/MOE, Sierra Leone this year.

I will always remember her warm smile, as she passes on, and I thank God for her great life.

May God ease the burden of her passing from the hearts of her family and friends."

-Nneka Nora Osakwe 
Associate Professor of English
Department of English, Modern Languages, and Mass Communication at Albany State University 

"Sandy was the first Department Chair of Educational Studies.  She was respected as a leader for her calm and rationale approach to issues as well as for her dedication to students and to social justice.  Her interest in international issues, especially women's education, took her overseas several times and helped to develop relationships that led to several international Instructional Technology programs, including a Master's degree program in Ghana that recently held their graduation ceremonies." 

-Gordon Brooks 
Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Educational Studies, Ohio University The Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education  

Sandra Turner and Teresa Franklin

"Dr. Sandra Tuner was a beloved educator and champion of women's rights.  She began her career as a Mathematics teacher in the Chicago area and during her first year of teaching actually lobbied and then sued the school for the right of women to play sports.  This was at the very beginning of the Title IX legislation.  She won the lawsuit and the school was required to give equal access to sports to the females in the high school.

She has been a strong advocate for STEM projects for women and was involved in many workshops, presentations and publications concerning her research on women in science, math and technology. Dr. Turner has continued this work on many continents and in many countries. She has worked in Batswana, Ghana, South Africa, Turkey and Jordan as well as Saudi Arabia, UAE and China, all in an effort to bring educational opportunities to women who may be disenfranchised within the structures of their country's educational systems.

Dr. Sandra Tuner will be missed not only by the faculty and staff at Ohio University and in Chicago and Athens,  but also by the many friends, students and families she has helped educate around the world."

-Teresa Franklin 
Associate Professor, Department of Educational Studies, Ohio University The Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education  

"Sandy was such a nice person both as a faculty and a colleague. It was a pleasure to have known her and worked with her. We organized a video conference together for the Ghanaian technology students and technology students from The Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education. She was awesome. I still remember the last time I spoke to her and complimented her on her beautiful Ghanaian Tie-and –dye dress.  She will be terribly missed by all of us."

-Albert Akyeampong
Visiting Professor, Department of Educational Studies, Ohio University Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education