Biography

Jacob E. Larsen has earned B.A. and M.A. degrees in English Language and Literature at University of Southern Denmark, an M.A. in Applied Linguistics at Ohio University, and a Ph.D. in Education with a focus on Curriculum and Instructional Technology at Iowa State University.

Dr. Larsen is a polyglot who has lived and worked in Denmark, Brazil and, most recently, the United States which has allowed him to develop a variety of skills in languages, intercultural-, interpersonal-, and workplace communication, collaboration and leadership.

Dr. Larsen has professional experience in customer success management, tech support, K-12 and higher ed teaching, consulting, vendor contact and management, educational technology support for a variety of subject areas, and educational technology leadership. In addition, he has conducted research in areas such as blended and online learning as well as faculty engagement strategies to promote the use of educational technology.

Currently, Dr. Larsen is the Director of the Language Studies Resource Center in the Department of World Languages and Cultures at Iowa State University. His focus is on the strategic support for language teaching and learning with a specific emphasis on the pedagogically sound implementation of innovative educational technologies. In addition, Dr. Larsen is involved with the evaluation of innovative educational technology installations and active learning, research on emerging technology and its implementation, as well as faculty engagement strategies to advance the pedagogical use of educational technologies.

Most recently, Dr. Larsen has been updating and upgrading the Language Studies Resource Center at Iowa State University while introducing new technologies to faculty and students. In particular, he is championing a strong focus on Augmented and Virtual Reality applications in the classroom and on training staff to support these technologies.