News from WCER
Design Challenges for Middle School Science Students
December 27, 2011
Students and teachers in Grades 6-8 are piloting an approach to science instruction using a technology-rich interactive environment.
Mathieu Named AAAS Fellow
December 19, 2011
WCER researcher Robert Mathieu is among three UW–Madison scientists recently named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
Collaborating with the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan
December 15, 2011
Complementing the University of Wisconsin’s status as one of the most internationally connected universities in the world, the School of Education (SOE) plays an important role in preparing students to be global citizens and in helping to shape the University’s broader global agenda.
Online Mentoring as Good as In-Person
December 15, 2011
Students enjoy learning about the environment. The process usually involves trekking out to the nearest prairie, waterway, or forest. But given the time and expense involved, field trips can be unrealistic.
Spanish Academic Language Standards and Assessment
December 13, 2011
Staff from the WIDA Consortium are beginning to develop Spanish language development standards for students in Pre-K through twelfth grade.
Blended Learning Across Virtual and Natural Ecosystems
December 5, 2011
Kurt Squire and colleagues are testing the hypothesis that student engagement, self-sufficiency, and understanding of life science will be enhanced if students participating in field trips employ mobile devices to collect and share data, visit geo-referenced locations, and access on-site information.
Mentoring Students in Educational Computer Games
November 28, 2011
When students engage in educational computer games, do they fare better talking with a mentor face-to-face or chatting online with a ‘virtual’ mentor?
Hora Receives Emerging Interfaces Award
November 21, 2011
WCER researcher Matthew Hora is a recipient of the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery's Emerging Interfaces Award
Engaged Research in Education
November 15, 2011
The School of Education continues its work to strengthen the relationship between research and practice.
Best Practices in Hiring and Evaluation
November 15, 2011
Of all the challenges facing principals, maybe the most important are finding and then keeping the best possible teachers in the classrooms. Principals must be strategic in both hiring and managing teaching talent. Below, WCER researcher Steven Kimball discusses the process by which a principal can become a strategic talent manager.
Examining the Relationships Between Expectations, Access, and Postsecondary Life Engagement
November 7, 2011
Current work by Audrey Trainor will help researchers and teachers who design and implement transition education for youth with disabilities as they move from high school into adulthood.
Evaluation of the Milwaukee Community Literacy Project
November 1, 2011
The Milwaukee Community Literacy Project supports 300 struggling readers in kindergarten through 3rd grade in reaching proficiency through support in three spheres: the school sphere, the community sphere, and the family sphere.
Analyzing STEM Thinking and Learning
October 24, 2011
David Williamson Shaffer and colleagues are using a new method of STEM assessment called epistemic network analysis.
CIRTL Network Expands
October 17, 2011
Since 2003 the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning (CIRTL) has prepared science graduate students at a handful of universities to be as bold and creative in the classroom as they are in their programs of research.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Social Media in Education
October 15, 2011
WCER researcher Mark Connolly acknowledges that social media shows value in educational settings.
