--- title: Dave Mulder date: 2022-02-02T16:22:00-06:00 author: Click Rain Admin canonical_url: "https://www.dordt.edu/people/david-mulder" section: People --- [ View Directory](https://www.dordt.edu/academics/faculty-information) ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/people/68a815b476995b643eb.jpg?mode=crop&pos=top-center&w=25&h=25&f=webp&c=ec1f190b&v=71dbc965194ebb3489059fc3a4019f047e951a2d99b42e22b6bfb7be2ae96fcc) [Education](https://www.dordt.edu/academics/faculty-information?department=education) [Master of Education](https://www.dordt.edu/academics/faculty-information?department=master-of-education) # Dr. Dave Mulder Professor of Education ![]() [712-722-6039](tel:712-722-6039) ![]() ![]() **Dr. David J. Mulder** serves as a professor and the department chair in the Education Department at Dordt University. Dr. Mulder teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses, sharing his expertise in effective teaching through classroom and online instruction, educational technology, curriculum and instructional design, and professional development. His scholarly work focuses on AI in education, technology integration, and social presence in online learning. “I'm so grateful that I have the opportunity to be part of the formation of distinctively Christian teachers who see their work as part of building Christ's kingdom,” says Dr. Mulder. Out of a deep commitment to lifelong learning and a desire to help educators navigate the changing landscape of education with wisdom and faith, Dr. Mulder has written two books. His most recent book, *[Teach Like a Human: Playful Practice and Serious Faith in the Age of AI](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSBQJD1K/),* examines the impact of AI in the classroom. His original book, *[Always Becoming, Never Arriving: Developing an Imagination for Teaching Christianly](https://wipfandstock.com/9798385205066/always-becoming-never-arriving/),* considers how "teaching Christianly is a journey, a process of growing as a more faithful disciple and more closely following Jesus day by day." Committed to fostering innovative teaching, Dr. Mulder has also shared his expertise through the following publications: - Mulder, D. J. (2024). “A Biblical framework for understanding and responding to artificial intelligence.” In L. E. Swaner (Ed.) *Leading Insights: Artificial Intelligence*. Colorado Springs, CO: Association of Christian Schools International. - Mulder, D. J. (2024). *[Digital florilegium: A high-tech twist on an ancient reading practice](https://doi.org/10.13001/jtilt.v2i2.7813)*. *Journal of Technology-Integrated Lessons and Teaching, 2*(2), 25–31. - Hall, J. & Mulder, D. J. (2023). “C[reating meaningful learning experiences with button-operated robots in early childhood settings.](https://www.learntechlib.org/p/222690/)” In R. E. Ferdig, R. Hartshorne, E. Baumgartner, R. Kaplan-Rakowski, and C. Mouza (Eds.) *What PreK–12 Teachers Should Know About Educational Technology in 2023: A Research-to-Practice Anthology*(pp. 293-303). Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). - Mulder, D. J. (2021). *We GET to do this! Formed with purpose: Dordt University commencement – May 7, 2021*. *Pro Rege, 50*(3), 9-13. - Wilson, M. L., Hall, J., & Mulder, D. J. (2020). [*Assessing digital nativeness in pre-service teachers: Analysis of the Digital Natives Assessment Scale and implications for practice*.](https://doi.org/10.1080/15391523.2020.1846146) *Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 54*(2), 249-266. - Mulder, D. J. (2018). *Prove you are not a dog: Fostering social presence in online learning*. In S. Keengwe (Ed.), *Handbook of Research on Virtual Training and Mentoring of Online Instructors* (pp. 201-216). Hershey, PA: IGI Global. - Lowenthal, P. R. & Mulder, D. J. (2017). *Social presence and communication technologies: Tales of trial and error*. In A. Whiteside, A. Garrett Dickers, and K. Swan (Eds.), *Social Presence in Online Learning: Multiple Perspectives on Practice and Research* (pp. 32-44). Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing. - Mulder, D. J. (2016). *Pre-service teachers and technology integration: International cases and generational attitudes toward technology in education*. In S. Keengwe, J. G. Mbae, and G. Onchwari (Eds.), *Handbook of Research on Global Issues in Next-Generation Teacher Education* (pp. 730-752). Hershey, PA: IGI Global. In addition to his published work, Dr. Mulder has delivered over 100 professional development sessions for K-12 educators across North America. Before joining Dordt, Dr. Mulder taught in Christian schools in California and Iowa for 14 years, covering subjects such as math, science, Bible, and computer science. **Education** - Ed.D. in Educational Technology, Boise State University. - M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction, Dordt University. - B.A. in Elementary Education, Dordt University. [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mulder-5707b825/) ***To learn more about Mulder's professional experience and writing, connect with him on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mulder-5707b825/).*** --- ## Articles by Dave Mulder [ ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/iat-christian-calling.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=3c6103aa&v=aaa25adba084af88c95993e7e68debe152df32c38e4f00d7bc95142024c3cf1c) Essays Jul 24, 2026 ### How Christians Get "Calling" Wrong By Dave Mulder This excerpt from Dr. Dave Mulder's debut book invites us to broaden our understanding of calling, reframing it as faithful discipleship and purposeful living. Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/how-christians-get-calling-wrong) [ ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/iat-culpability-review.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=52405b34&v=743faf68174385198057f0da3e2275a99cde7697360274e66427a073e12a8d30) Essays Jul 07, 2026 ### On Culpability: When AI Goes Wrong, Who is at Fault? By Dave Mulder A review of Bruce Holsinger’s novel, Culpability Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/on-culpability-when-ai-goes-wrong-who-is-at-fault) [ ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/iat-boring-robots.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=8d018729&v=797c2610d818eaa777bdccf8eba6a94124ae042449d7ce00d458170a3fbf440e) Essays Jan 16, 2026 ### Rosie the Robot: Ensuring Humans Do the Right Work By Dave Mulder How can we navigate a world of constant innovation without losing sight of the work God has called us to do? Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/rosie-the-robot-ensuring-humans-do-the-right-work) [ ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/iat-AI-competing-stories.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=9459fbbc&v=6cc018ffc7a4c00abf9d590dd69551fc2b194944222dce03c485899aaa611e0c) Essays Jan 13, 2026 ### Becoming a Truth-Seeker: Navigating Competing Stories By Dave Mulder How can a Christian imagination help us navigate the promises and pitfalls of AI? By rooting ourselves in Scripture’s larger story, we are invited to see technology within God’s unfolding work of creation, redemption, and restoration. Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/becoming-a-truth-seeker-navigating-competing-stories) [ ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/iat-reframingcreativity.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=e781c316&v=4efaad5f64f7cadd086edf4a44c7576ffebaa9dc172e043e66cc6ad2549df621) Essays Aug 22, 2025 ### Reframing Creativity: Learning from Grandpa Mulder By Dave Mulder What if we framed creativity as resourceful and flexible? To live creatively is not just about making something new but also about making the most of what's already here. Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/reframing-creativity-learning-from-grandpa-mulder) [ ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/iatlosingourselves.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=008c3786&v=032f315f2df3d13b606cbcdc218fe268528ea9bd02d210136ffc71fdc571d4f2) Essays Jan 17, 2025 ### Using Technology Without Losing Ourselves By Dave Mulder In today’s tech-driven society, it's essential to find a balance between using technology and preserving our human connections, hearts, and souls. By thoughtfully integrating tech into our lives, we can ensure it glorifies God and serves the well-being of humanity rather than diminishes it. Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/using-technology-without-losing-ourselves) [ ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/iatchristmascarols.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=c8a1db6c&v=25b082841410569d53be304707d1459e5b072c5d7995abb79bc9edc1a09312f8) Essays Dec 02, 2024 ### The Problem with Christmas Carols for People Longing for the King By Dave Mulder The music we consume shapes our mindset, even during the holidays. How can we reclaim the spirit of Advent through music in a consumer-driven Christmas culture? Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/the-problem-with-christmas-carols-for-people-longing-for-the-king) [ ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/iatbusynessfeature.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=d510f9a8&v=98aeb6d97b12f44d37b7579d7fd3129669f03fa2fcdd6ddc0dae9a90a1748895) Essays Nov 01, 2024 ### The Antidote to Busyness By Dave Mulder Society seems to glorify busyness, often equating it with productivity and success. But what if we took a step back and considered how we choose to fill our lives? Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/the-antidote-to-busyness)