Newsletter - Fall 2010
Chair Delivers State of the Department Address
On October 15, Chair Deborah Lowe Vandell delivered the State of the Department address to faculty, staff, and students. Information presented included the following:
On October 15, Chair Deborah Lowe Vandell delivered the State of the Department address to faculty, staff, and students. Information presented included the following:
- DoE has posted employment opening for two new faculty positions: Assistant Professor of Education in Language, Literacy, and/or Technology; Assistant Professor of Mathematics or Science Teaching/Learning. The Department will also be considering faculty as part of the Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship Program.
- New faculty grants during 2009-2010 totaled more than $4,000,000.
- DoE received a Graduate Growth Incentive Grant to develop an Online Masters of Arts in Education.
- Distinguished Professor of Education Greg Duncan was elected to the National Academy of Science.
- Professor George Farkas became President of the Sociological Research Association.
- During 2009-2010 undergraduate student credit hours increased 25% to 15,336. In the Certificate in After-School Education program, the first group of eight undergraduates earned their certificates.
- Initiatives for the coming year include establishing a DoE Teacher Education Forum; hosting the inaugural meeting for the newly-formed Education Alumni Association; expanding the Teacher Education Integrated Information System (TEIIS); moving forward on development of the UC Irvine Online Master of Arts in Teaching; and creating a philanthropic Leadership Council to be headed by MIND Institute CEO Ted Smith.
New Ph.D. in Education Students - Fall 2010
Department Welcomes 2010 Ph.D Students
Thirteen new Ph.D. in Education students arrived at Irvine mid-September. The agenda for their DoE Orientation (Monday, September 20) included faculty introductions, Professor Michael E. Martinez's address: "The Nature of Doctoral Work," review of program requirements, a students-only luncheon, specialization and advisor meetings, and a department tour. Tuesday and Wednesday were Teaching Assistant training, hosted by DoE's 2010-2011 Pedagogical Fellows Alejandra Albarran and Sonja Lind.
Seven of the new doctoral students have chosen to pursue the Learning, Cognition, and Development specialization; four are focusing on Educational Policy and Social Context; and two on Language, Literacy, and Technology.
Nine of the incoming class have earned an advanced degree. Three students have a master's degree from Harvard. Four have a master's from Bank Street College of Education, CSU Fullerton, CSUN, or UCLA. One student has received a doctorate in Physical Therapy from Chapman University.
Thirteen new Ph.D. in Education students arrived at Irvine mid-September. The agenda for their DoE Orientation (Monday, September 20) included faculty introductions, Professor Michael E. Martinez's address: "The Nature of Doctoral Work," review of program requirements, a students-only luncheon, specialization and advisor meetings, and a department tour. Tuesday and Wednesday were Teaching Assistant training, hosted by DoE's 2010-2011 Pedagogical Fellows Alejandra Albarran and Sonja Lind.
Seven of the new doctoral students have chosen to pursue the Learning, Cognition, and Development specialization; four are focusing on Educational Policy and Social Context; and two on Language, Literacy, and Technology.
Nine of the incoming class have earned an advanced degree. Three students have a master's degree from Harvard. Four have a master's from Bank Street College of Education, CSU Fullerton, CSUN, or UCLA. One student has received a doctorate in Physical Therapy from Chapman University.
Chair's Advisory Board Meets to Discuss "Assessing Teacher Quality"
The Chair's Advisory Board Fall 2010 meeting on October 15 focused on assessing teacher quaity. The session included three presentations that addressed research, education, and practice and concluded with members discussing perspectives and sharing experiences. The Chair's Advisory Board was formed in 2008 to promote reflection and exchange between the Department of Education and representatives from the community on the activities, role, and future direction of the department. Board members advise on opportunities for community engagement and service, participate in scholarly presentations delivered by faculty members, and comment upon the goals and accomplishments of the department. Advisory Board members support the department in its three-fold mission of research, teaching, and service and are encouraged to liaise with the community at large on behalf of the department.
The Chair's Advisory Board Fall 2010 meeting on October 15 focused on assessing teacher quaity. The session included three presentations that addressed research, education, and practice and concluded with members discussing perspectives and sharing experiences. The Chair's Advisory Board was formed in 2008 to promote reflection and exchange between the Department of Education and representatives from the community on the activities, role, and future direction of the department. Board members advise on opportunities for community engagement and service, participate in scholarly presentations delivered by faculty members, and comment upon the goals and accomplishments of the department. Advisory Board members support the department in its three-fold mission of research, teaching, and service and are encouraged to liaise with the community at large on behalf of the department.
- "Using Video to Develop Teachers' Professional Vision of Ambitious Teaching," presented by Assistant Professor Elizabeth van Es
- "Assessing Teachers with Value-Added Models (VAMS)," presented by 4th year Ph.D. in Education student Erik Ruzek
- "Performance Assessment for California Teachers: Assessing Teacher Performance at the Pre-Service Level," presented by Director of Teacher Education and Student Affairs Judi Conroy
Kim Burge, El Carrete Arts Project, Pinar del Rio
Researchers Observe Culture and Community Engagement in Cuba: All for La Revolucion!
In August Kim Burge, Director of Educational Outreach, UCI Center for the Learning through the Arts and Technology, and Nancy Christensen, DoE Director of Communications, spent a week in Cuba as members of the educational exchange program Common Ground. The following are observations from their particular research interests.
Kim Burge: According to Maria Antonio Castro B. in Todo por la Revolucion(All for the Revolution), the goal that sets Cuban social projects apart from others in the world is their focus on employing culture for “human betterment". A review of her article on the Cuban Casas de Cultura website and my own observations would appear to support her claim. Today Casas de Cultura in every municipality, in every province of Cuba, support local artists, “plastic” or visual and performing alike, in educating for the benefit of the local communities, urban and rural alike. Benefits such as identify formation through investigating oral traditions, learning about ecology, transforming dilapidated communities, educating for creative literacy, improving the self confidence of disabled adults, and demonstrating pride in transportation and housing as well.
In August Kim Burge, Director of Educational Outreach, UCI Center for the Learning through the Arts and Technology, and Nancy Christensen, DoE Director of Communications, spent a week in Cuba as members of the educational exchange program Common Ground. The following are observations from their particular research interests.
Kim Burge: According to Maria Antonio Castro B. in Todo por la Revolucion(All for the Revolution), the goal that sets Cuban social projects apart from others in the world is their focus on employing culture for “human betterment". A review of her article on the Cuban Casas de Cultura website and my own observations would appear to support her claim. Today Casas de Cultura in every municipality, in every province of Cuba, support local artists, “plastic” or visual and performing alike, in educating for the benefit of the local communities, urban and rural alike. Benefits such as identify formation through investigating oral traditions, learning about ecology, transforming dilapidated communities, educating for creative literacy, improving the self confidence of disabled adults, and demonstrating pride in transportation and housing as well.
Ph.D. Student Emily Penner Summarizes her First Year Research
Second Year Doctoral Students Showcase Ph.D. Research at 2010 Poster Presentation
Ph.D. Student Emily Penner Summarizes her First Year ResearchThe Department of Education hosted its fourth annual Poster Presentation of doctoral student research on September 24. During the mid-day event Ph.D. students in their second year of study showcased their first-year research findings for faculty, guests, and other students. Upon entering the Ph.D. in Education program doctoral students select a research topic and work closely with their advisors while gathering and analysing data and studying how to most effectively present and communicate their findings. Topics selected for research fall within one of the three Ph.D. specialization areas: Learning, Cognition, and Development, Educational Policy and Social Context, and Language, Literacy, and Technology. During their second year of study students are encouraged to present their posters at regional and national conferences.
2010 Poster Topics and Abstracts
Ph.D. Student Emily Penner Summarizes her First Year ResearchThe Department of Education hosted its fourth annual Poster Presentation of doctoral student research on September 24. During the mid-day event Ph.D. students in their second year of study showcased their first-year research findings for faculty, guests, and other students. Upon entering the Ph.D. in Education program doctoral students select a research topic and work closely with their advisors while gathering and analysing data and studying how to most effectively present and communicate their findings. Topics selected for research fall within one of the three Ph.D. specialization areas: Learning, Cognition, and Development, Educational Policy and Social Context, and Language, Literacy, and Technology. During their second year of study students are encouraged to present their posters at regional and national conferences.
2010 Poster Topics and Abstracts
Inaugural Meeting of SEEL at Home of Gilberto Q. Conchas
Associate Professor Gilberto Q. Conchas and Doctoral Students Establish Social Equality in Education Lab (SEEL)
Under the direction of faculty member Gilberto Q. Conchas, Ph.D. in Education students have inaugurated the Social Equity in Education Lab (SEEL) to address how demographic, economic, historical, political, and social forces impact marginalized populations with respect to their performance in and out-of-schools. Through multi-disciplinary and mixed-method research approaches SEEL will examine how structures of domination and subordination are reproduced and resisted through the "cultural practices" of distinct population. With the intent of serving as a bridge between the research community and community partners, SEEL's goal is to work directly with school and community partners to institutionalize success for all. Director Gilberto Q. Conchas is Associate Professor of Education in the department, UCI Chancellor's Fellow, and UCI Diversity and Equity Advisor. Graduate Student Co-Chairs of SEEL are Alejandra Albarran (Learning, Cognition, and Development specialization) and Sean Drake (Educational Policy and Social Context specialization).
Under the direction of faculty member Gilberto Q. Conchas, Ph.D. in Education students have inaugurated the Social Equity in Education Lab (SEEL) to address how demographic, economic, historical, political, and social forces impact marginalized populations with respect to their performance in and out-of-schools. Through multi-disciplinary and mixed-method research approaches SEEL will examine how structures of domination and subordination are reproduced and resisted through the "cultural practices" of distinct population. With the intent of serving as a bridge between the research community and community partners, SEEL's goal is to work directly with school and community partners to institutionalize success for all. Director Gilberto Q. Conchas is Associate Professor of Education in the department, UCI Chancellor's Fellow, and UCI Diversity and Equity Advisor. Graduate Student Co-Chairs of SEEL are Alejandra Albarran (Learning, Cognition, and Development specialization) and Sean Drake (Educational Policy and Social Context specialization).
Swedish Guests at Morning Presentations
Educators from Sweden Share Research and Perspectives During Visit to Department
For the second year a group of educators from Sweden has spent a day at UC Irvine exchanging perspectives on teacher education and technology with faculty and doctoral students. During the morning session, Ph.D. students Sonja Lind and Binbin Zheng and researcher Kathleen Arada presented findings from the department's research into the effects of integration of technology into instruction on student learning outcomes. Swedish Principals Ingela Lenkert and Birgitta Svensk Trolin and IT Director Jimmy Svensson described how technology is integrated into Swedish schools, with attention given to local needs and settings. Following an afternoon tour of UC Irvine, our Swedish guests prepared for the following day's visit to area school sites to observe technology implementation in classroom settings.
For the second year a group of educators from Sweden has spent a day at UC Irvine exchanging perspectives on teacher education and technology with faculty and doctoral students. During the morning session, Ph.D. students Sonja Lind and Binbin Zheng and researcher Kathleen Arada presented findings from the department's research into the effects of integration of technology into instruction on student learning outcomes. Swedish Principals Ingela Lenkert and Birgitta Svensk Trolin and IT Director Jimmy Svensson described how technology is integrated into Swedish schools, with attention given to local needs and settings. Following an afternoon tour of UC Irvine, our Swedish guests prepared for the following day's visit to area school sites to observe technology implementation in classroom settings.
DoE Graduates 22 New Doctors of Education
Twenty-two new doctors of education received their Ed.D. degrees during the past year. Eight are graduates of the UCI/UCLA Joint Ed.D. in Educational Administration and 14 are graduates of the CSU/UCI Joint Ed.D. in Educational Administration and Leadership.
Twenty-two new doctors of education received their Ed.D. degrees during the past year. Eight are graduates of the UCI/UCLA Joint Ed.D. in Educational Administration and 14 are graduates of the CSU/UCI Joint Ed.D. in Educational Administration and Leadership.
