Faculty Profile: Dr. Anita Komlodi

“I have met some of the most motivated Master’s students in our online classes...”

"Committed online students can have an excellent education with the flexibility of completing their work according to their own schedule,” says Dr. Anita Komlodi, Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director for Human-Centered Computing. Dr. Komlodi particularly appreciates the professional ethic possessed by many online Master’s students and how this quality elevates their overall learning experience. “I have met some of the most motivated Master’s students in our online classes,” she explains, “and I feel that their motivation comes from their professional experience and their appreciation for their ability to apply the material learned in their work."

Dr. Komlodi's research interests fall in the area of Human-Centered Computing (HCC). The first area of concentration is at the intersection of HCC and Information Retrieval/Information Behavior and focuses on the study of Human Information Behavior and the design of user interfaces for information systems. She is also interested in the needs of diverse user groups when interacting with technology: age, gender, and cultural differences in technology interactions.

Dr. Komlodi's teaching reflects these interests in courses on Human-Centered Computing, Web Design, and User Interfaces for Information Retrieval and Visualization. She capitalizes on the results of her research to make her classes involving and practically applicable. Her online course on Information Architecture for the World Wide Web focuses on the user-centered design and evaluation of websites.

“Distance learners make up a distinct user group in higher education,” she continues, “but ultimately the outcomes are still a byproduct of the level of commitment invested by the student. UMBC’s online Master’s students with a professional background and high-level commitment often-times add a greater sense of relevance to course work because of their experience and interaction.”

Additional information about Dr. Komlodi’s work and research interests can be found at http://userpages.umbc.edu/~komlodi/.