Headshot of Michael Dixon

Michael Dixon

Adjunct Instructor, Liberal Arts
  • Profile

    Dixon considers himself a lifelong learner. He chose to work in higher education in order to immerse himself in its collaborative nature and free-thinking environment.

    Throughout his career, Dixon has championed the need for instructional designers to be embedded within departments whenever possible. Having such expertise readily available to faculty is critical to ensuring high quality faculty development and instruction. Nowhere is this more important than with those who teach at a distance. Teaching hybrid/online courses requires a special skill set to be successful. With over 20 years of experience teaching classroom, hybrid and fully online courses, and providing sound instructional design expertise, Dixon is excited to see what the future brings to higher education.

    In a parallel career as a composer/songwriter, Dixon has written and published music for almost 40 years, with expertise in instrumental electronic composition, mainstream (pop/alternative) songwriting, studio recording (Pro Tools, Logic Pro X), producing, and mastering.

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    • Memberships

      Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society

      Golden Key International Honour Society

      ECU Chancellor Leadership Academy Fellow

      Phi Mu Alpha Professional Music Fraternity

    • Professional Experience

      Assistant Director (2015-2019)

      Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology, University of Richmond

      Instructor (2018-Present)

      Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond

      Instructor (2018-Present)

      Richard Bland Community College of William & Mary, Petersburg, Va.

      Adjunct Instructor (2004-Present)

      Craven Community College, New Bern, NC

      Composer, Songwriter and Recording Artist (1987-Present)

    • Certifications

      Distance Learning and Administration (Graduate Certificate), East Carolina University, 2011

  • Selected Publications
    Journal Articles

    Brown, A., Kibbe, S., Dixon, M., Muller, D., Tuten, T. Twarog, C., & Vail-Smith, K. (2013). East Carolina University's Teaching Treasure Map: A guide for planning and organizing courses and instruction in traditional, blended and distance settings. Online Learning Consortium.

    Dixon, M., Beveridge, P., Farrior, C., Williams, B., Sugar, W., & Brown, A. (2012). Development of an online orientation for an instructional technology masters program. Techtrends: Linking Research & Practice To Improve Learning, 56(6), 44-48. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-012-0613-1 

    Bugos, J., Nelson, J., & Dixon, M. (2009). Podcasting: A method of enhancing course perceptions and performance in music appreciation. International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning, 6(1), 37-46.

    Audio Recordings

    Issues. Full length album of 11 original synthpop/alternative genre songs and instrumentals. Michael Barrett Dixon (BMI). Digitally published June 2018 (worldwide). Available on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, Amazon, Tidal and most other digital distributors.

    Christmas Lake. A four-song EP of original electronic instrumentals for the holiday season. Michael Barrett Dixon (BMI). Digitally published December 2017 (worldwide). Available on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, Amazon, Tidal and most other digital distributors.

    Songs Through Time. A 15-song compilation album of original songs and instrumentals spanning numerous genres and written over the past 20 years. Michael Barrett Dixon (BMI). Digitally published June 2016 (worldwide). Available on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, Amazon, Tidal and most other digital distributors.

  • Links
    Website