bottavia@hunter.cuny.edu
212-772-4695
Room 1110W


Dr. Ottaviani has focused her career on the meaningful communication of thoughts and ideas through various venues and media.  Her early work directing public relation initiatives for popular magazine publishers and fashion firms, as well as her work with the office of public information for the United Nations, provided Dr. Ottaviani with a broad understanding of the importance of how a message is presented and how it is processed for understanding. Applying this understanding of information processing to the unique needs of children in different ages and stages has been her primary area of research.

Dr. Ottaviani began her academic career in 1968 teaching secondary English and Communication.  Her teaching areas were later expanded to include mathematics and technology and provided Dr. Ottaviani with the opportunities to experience the presentation variations needed to reach all levels of K-12 learners.   Dr. Ottaviani received a Masters in Educational Technology from Iona College and a Doctorate in Instructional Technology and Cognition from Columbia University, Teachers College. 

Teaching

Dr. Ottaviani teaches graduate and undergraduate courses on the infusion of technology into the curriculum.  Dr. Ottaviani has also taught courses in Student Teaching Supervision for Childhood Education. 

Dr. Ottaviani has offered numerous workshops at Hunter as well as at public and private schools on the meaningful creation of interactive learning activities that enhance student awareness of various learning standards. 

Research

Dr. Ottaviani’s research has focused on the impact media has on a child’s social reality, as well as how media formats of presentation influence understanding of the message.  She has published and presented research on the effects of multimedia formats of presentation on the spatial recall of a narrative as well as media’s influences on a child’s understanding of their world and environment.  Dr. Ottaviani is also associated with StarsForKidz.com, the children’s division of the market research firm Leflein Associates.  She has held focus groups with children across the country to better understand their perceptions of media in all aspects of their lives.  As a consultant, Dr. Ottaviani continues to work with major corporations, television networks and advertising agencies to create meaningful promotions and internet activities for children that will enhance their understanding of various content areas.   In this role, Dr. Ottaviani has also written feature articles for the StarsForKidz online newsletter dealing with responsible advertising to children.