Contents

Research & Theory
Research Summary
Research Interests
Published Papers
Papers Under Review
Working Papers
Other Papers

Research and Theory: Research Interests

My research has focused on establishing rich learning environments for both students and teachers, frequently with the aid of technology, that support: (1) the asking of questions, (2) examination of teaching and learning, and (3) understanding of content. In accomplishing these goals, I draw heavily from the principles of social constructivism. That is, my work had focused on developing structures that enables learners to collaborate and negotiate shared understandings with their peers. I have worked to advance pedagogical models that are consistent with both my teaching philosophy and my epistemological views. I have developed project-based interventions for K-12 learners, supported K-12 teachers in implementing reform-based teaching practices, supported teachers in integrating technology into their classrooms, and have helped to redesign entire courses in the School of Education and the College of Arts and Sciences at Indiana University. Building on my previous work I feel that my research falls along two distinct lines of work. First, I am interested in continuing to examine how technology can support pre-service teachers in teaching through reform-based approaches that are consistent with national and state standards. I am also interested in continuing my work with developing technological tools that increase collaborations between scientists, educators, and teachers. I believe this work will provide insight concerning how to engage pre-service teachers in ways that will help them to better understand how to teach through inquiry-based approaches and how integrate technology in their teaching. Similarly, I plan to continue to examine and support in-service teachers in developing innovative science curriculum materials and how to develop strong collaborative relationships with K-12 school districts. Through this work I will investigate how teachers implement innovative pedagogical approaches in their classroom and evaluate the impact of these approaches on student learning. Second, I will continue to investigate how technology and current reform-based curricular interventions are impacting student learning. To this end, I will continue to study how technology, particularly computer-based modeling technologies, can be leveraged to support student learning of scientific concepts and help students to examine and overcome their existing alternative conceptions. I also will continue to examine the efficacy of instruction that is consistent with current national standards. Therefore, an overarching goal of my research is to better understand what constitutes effective science teaching in elementary classrooms and to better understand how to leverage technology to support student learning of science at all levels. Most of all, I feel that this work will allow me to achieve my primary goal as an educational researcher which is to contribute to the improvement of teaching and student learning. To date a central feature of my research has been its collaborative nature. I strive to develop collaborations with my peers and faculty members, because I feel that through collaborations multiple perspectives are brought to bear on a problem and a richer understanding of that problem is developed. I plan to continue to cultivate collaborations with other instructional technology, teacher education, and science education faculty both at my home institution and at other institutions. Finally, I plan to continue to share my findings through publications and presentations at conferences.