Wenxia (Joy) Wu

Wenxia (Joy) Wu headshot

Wenxia (Joy) Wu

Ph.D., M.S.Ed., M.S.

Senior Instructional Designer


Department: Online Learning and Instructional Technology

Contact:

Office Phone: 571-553-0079
Remote

With a PhD in Education and a M.S in Health Informatics, Dr. Joy Wu has been serving as a Senior Instructional Designer for the School of Nursing at GWU since 2019. Prior to GWU, she served as Assistant Professor and Instructional Designer at Eastern Virginia Medical School and a similar position at Frank University for 10 years.

Being an instructional designer for more than 17 years, Dr. Wu is dedicated to enhancing educational quality through instructional design, curriculum mapping, and faculty development. Her dedication has earned her recognition with several university and Dean’s awards, including the prestigious Wagner Award for Outstanding Instructional Support at a national conference.

Dr. Wu also brought with her 18 years of higher education teaching experience. She teaches in the fields of Health Professions Education, Health Informatics, and Instructional Design and Technology. Her excellence in online teaching garnered her a national nomination.

As a published educational researcher, Dr. Wu's research interests include eLearning, assessment, and competency-based education. Her scholarly contributions include a book chapter on Competency-based Education in Health Professions Education, which received an honorable mention for the UPCEA 2017 Phillip E. Frandson Award for Literature.

Dr. Wu currently lives in Tennessee with her family. They enjoy ballroom dancing and tennis.


  • Leadership in planning, development, delivery, assessment, and evaluation of online courses with GW faculty and community
  • Kent State University – Master of Science in Health Informatics (2017)
  • Iowa State University  – Doctor of Philosophy in Education, Curriculum & Instruction (2009)
  • University of Wisconsin – Master of Science in Education, Instruction (2004)
  • Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China – Bachelor of Arts, Teaching English as a Second Language (1997)

Books and Book Chapters

  • Wu, W., Koçoğl, E., & Akman, Ö., (Eds.). (2017). New Approaches in Social Studies Education. ISRES Publishing: International Society for Research in Education and Science. Kenya, Turkey.
  • Wu, W., Martin, B., & Ni, C. (2016). A systematic review of competency-based education efforts in the health professions: Seeking order out of chaos. Rasmussen, K. L., Northrup, P. T. & Colson, R. (Eds), Handbook of Research on Competency-Based Education in University Settings.  Hershey, PA: IGI Global. The book received honorable mention for the University Professional & Continuing Education Association's (UPCEA) 2017 Phillip E. Frandson Award for Literature.
  • Wu, W., Alan, S., & Hebeci, M.T. (Eds.). (2016). Research Highlights in Education and Science 2016. Egiten Publishing and ISRES Publishing: International Society for Research in Education and Science. Kenya, Turkey.
  • Wu, W., & King, L. (2015). Artificial intelligence and eLearning 4.0: A new paradigm in higher education. In C. Wankel, & A. Stachowicz-Stanusch (Eds.), Emerging Web 3.0/Semantic Web Applications in Higher Education: Growing Personalization and Wider Interconnections in Learning. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing Inc.

Peer-Reviewed Publications and Manuscripts

  • Wu, W., & Allen, C., (2023). Competency-based education in health professions education through distance learning. Distance Learning Administration Annual Conference Proceedings. Jekyll Island, GA. July 23-26, 2023.
  • Wu, W., Hilliard, D., & Cunningham, D. T., (2018). (Submitted). A review of healthcare analytics programs in health professions education, Medical Teacher. Dundee, UK.
  • Wu, W., King, J. L., & Luyegu, E., (2016). The changing landscape of eLearning and eHealth. C. Crawford et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2016. Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
  • Wu, W., Wohl, J. M., Cunningham, T. D., Johnson, J. A., & Faulkner, D. L. (2015). (Submitted). Flipping health professions education. Perkins, R., Green, L. S. & Banas, J. R. (Eds), The Flipped College Classroom: Conceptualized and Re-Conceptualized. New York, NY: Springer
  • Wu, W. (2014). Beyond big head talking: Nineteen techniques to electrify your lectures. [Abstract] Proceedings of International Conference on Teaching and Learning, Ponte Vera, FL, March 24-28, 2014.
  • Wu, W., & King, L. (2013). Web 3.0 to eLearning 4.0: Artificial intelligence in education. [Abstract] Proceedings of the Distance Learning Administration Annual Conference, Jekyll Island, GA June 2-4, 2013.
  • Curtis, R., & Wu, W. (2012). Learning and assessment: The application of ePortfolios. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice. 12 (3), 66-77.
  • Wu, W., & Curtis, R. (2012). A 3.0 online learning environment to bridge digital divide in healthcare education. Proceedings of the ED-Media Annual Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE), Denver, CO. June 26-29, 2012.
  • Wu, W., & Curtis, R. (2012). A comprehensive blended learning approach bridges digital divide in online learning environment. Proceedings of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN. May 31-June3, 2012.
  • Curtis, R., & Wu, W. (2011). ePortfolios to support program assessment. Proceedings of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) Annual Conference, Charleston, SC, June 23-­26, 2011.
  • Kennedy, M.H., Eisenhardt, A., & Wu, W (2011).  Using games in the classroom to engage students in learning. Proceedings of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) Annual Conference,  Charleston, SC, June 23-26, 2011.
  • Curtis, R., & Wu, W. (2011). Transparency in learning & assessment: Using ePortfolios. Proceedings of the MBAA Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, March 23-25, 2011.
  • Curtis, R., & Wu, W. (2009). It takes a village to design a course: Layers of negotiation approach to healthcare management course design. Proceedings of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, June 29-July 2, 2009.
  • Wu, W. (2010). Boundary issues in global virtual teams. Ph.D. dissertation, Iowa State University, Ames, IA. Retrieved January 10, 2011, from Dissertations & Theses: A&I. (Publication No. AAT 3397584).
  • Wu, W., & Seymour, J. F (2007).  Global virtual team: Cross-boundary collaboration and team performance.  Proceedings of American Educational Research Association Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, April 9-13, 2007.
  • Wu, W (2007). Cross-boundary virtual teams: the effect of time and task on team performance. Proceedings of American Educational Research Association Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, April 9-13, 2007.
  • Wu, W. (2006). Current distance education research patterns & trends in a historical context. Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2006 (pp. 3103-3111). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
  • Wu, W. (2006). Boundary-crossing: China-USA undergraduate student virtual engineering team. Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2006 (pp. 3095-3102). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
  • Wu, W. (2005). When the East meets the West & the single child phenomena—Develop understanding of a group of Chinese students’ demographics for American online class designing. C. Crawford et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2005 (pp. 679-681). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
  • Wu, W., & Kropid, W. (2004). Dancing with technology: Collaborative learning in an Iowa K-12 computer learning classroom. G. Richards (Ed.), Proceedings of World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2004 (pp. 1571-1576). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
  • Wu, W., & Wilson, M. (2004). ROPCS project proposal: Workshop series to facilitate effective online learning environment by bringing faculty and their student assistants together. C. Crawford et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2004 (pp. 2755-2759). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
  • Yang, X., & Wu, W. (2004). E-pal project: Using technology as emotional support in college level Chinese study-abroad program. G. Richards (Ed.), Proceedings of World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2004 (pp. 1028-1032). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.

Invited Keynote Speaker

  • Wu, W. (2014). Shift happens: The revolution from eLearning 1.0 to eLearning 4.0. Invited Keynote Speaker, International Conference on Research in Education and Science, and the International Conference on Education in Mathematics, Science & Technology. Antalya, Turkey. April 23-26, 2015.
  • Wu, W. (2012). Higher education in the United States: Current trends and issues. Invited Keynote Speaker, professional development program for Visiting Scholars from Xi’an Architecture and Technology University, Xi’an, China. Columbus, OH. August 6-9, 2012.
  • Tysseling, W., & Wu, W. (2005). Distance education in the United States: Current and the future. Invited Keynote Speaker, World Congress on Agriculture, International Distance Education Conference, Beijing, China, October 20-21, 2005.

Professional Presentations

  • Wu, W. & Daisy, L. (2023). Writing Effective SMART-Based Learning Objectives. Online presentation at School of Nursing, the George Washington University, Washington, D.C.  November 8th, 2023
  • Wu, W, Messenger, D., Schroeder, H., Allen, C., Batchelor, M., Whitt, K., & Shanley, W. (2023). Pedagogy and interactive video using Playposit: Best practice with faculty examples. Online presentation to School of Nursing faculty, the George Washington University, Washington, D.C.  May 3rd, 2023
  • Moy, T., Schroeder, H., and Wu, W. (2022). Photovoice – a teaching and learning strategy for promoting empathy and critical thought. Quality in Action conference, Online Conference, April 29, 2022.
  • Wu, W. (2017). Inclusive classrooms: Multiculturalism and multilingualism. [Invited Presentation] Virginia State StarTalk program, Virginia Beach, VA, July 20, 2017.
  • Johnson, K., Wu, W., Combs, D. D., & Johnson, J. (2017, August). Evidence-based curriculum development. [Poster Presentation] EVMS/CHKD Summer Scholar Program Presentation, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA.
  • Luyegu, E., & Wu, W. (2016, October). Mind mapping for distance learning. [Poster Presentation] Association for Educational Communications and Technology Convention, Las Vegas, NV.
  • Britt, T., Taylor-Shishwick, J., Wu, W., & Mylona, E. (2016, July). The study of faculty development in health and medical education and implications for curriculum change. [Poster Presentation] EVMS/CHKD Summer Scholar Program, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA.
  • Wu, W., & Russell, H. I. (2015, June). Backward design approach for distance education program development. Distance Learning Administration Annual Conference, Jekyll Island, GA.
  • King, L. J., & Wu. W. (2014, November). Artificial Intelligence an eLearning 4.0: A new paradigm in higher education. Franklin U. Learning Showcase, Columbus, OH.
  • King, L., Wu, W., & Hart, D. (2013, November). Leveraging artificial intelligence in healthcare education. [Invited Webinar Presentation] Association of University Programs in Health Administration organization (AUPHA), Washington, D.C.
  • Wu, W., & King, L. (2013, June). Web 3.0 to eLearning 4.0: Artificial intelligence in education. Distance Learning Administration Annual Conference, Jekyll Island, GA.
  • Wu, W., & Curtis, R. (2012, June). A 3.0 Online learning environment to bridge digital divide in healthcare education. ED-Media annual conference of the Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE), Denver, CO.
  • Wu, W., & Curtis, R. (2012, May). A comprehensive blended learning approach bridges digital divide in online learning environment. Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN.
  • Curtis, R., & Wu, W. (2011, June). ePortfolios to support program assessment. [Poster Presentation] Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) Annual Conference, Charlton, NC.
  • Kennedy, M.H., Eisenhardt, A., & Wu, W (2011, June).  Using games in the classroom to engage students in learning. Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) Annual Conference, Charleston, SC.
  • Curtis, R., & Wu, W. (2011, March). Transparency in learning & assessment: Using ePortfolios. MBAA Annual Conference, Chicago, IL.
  • Curtis, R., & Wu, W. (2009, July). It takes a village to design a course: layers of negotiation approach to healthcare management course design. Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) Annual Conference, Chicago, IL.
  • Wu, W., & Seymour, J. F (2007, April).  Global virtual team: Cross-boundary collaboration and team performance.  American Educational Research Association Annual Conference, Chicago, IL.
  • Wu, W (2007, April). Cross-boundary virtual teams: the effect of time and task on team performance.  American Educational Research Association Annual Conference, Chicago, IL.
  • Wu, W. (2006, June). Current distance education research patterns & trends in a historical context. World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications, Orlando, FL.
  • Wu, W. (2006, June). Boundary-crossing: China-USA undergraduate student virtual engineering team. World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications, Orlando, FL.
  • Yang, X. & Wu, W. (2004, December). E-pal project: Using technology as emotional support in college level Chinese study-abroad program. World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education, Washington, DC.
  • Wu, W. & Kropid, W. (2004, November). Dancing with technology: Collaborative learning in an Iowa K-12 computer learning classroom. World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education, Washington, DC.
  • Wu, W. & Wilson, M. (2004, March). ROPCS project proposal: Workshop series to facilitate effective online learning environment by bringing faculty and their student assistants together. Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference, Orlando, FL.
  • Achiever
  • Learner
  • Focus
  • Relator
  • Maximizer