Mathematics, Science and Learning Technologies (MSLT)

MSLT prepares graduate students to improve the learning and instruction of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. To achieve that goal, we are deeply committed to research and scholarship, using both basic and applied research.

We put a premium on developing principled approaches to affect educational practice and pursuing rigorous theory building about educational phenomena. We apply such knowledge in developing state of the art instructional designs. These efforts grow from an understanding of educational practice and close work with practitioners in both formal and informal learning settings.

Importantly we recognized that certain social groups have been historically marginalized from STEM disciplines, education, and work. We seek to understand the processes and structures contributing to the systematic exclusion of these groups and to actively contribute to correcting such inequities. Our work draws from a variety of disciplines including cognitive science, sociology, anthropology, the learning sciences, psychology, and computer science.

Highlights

• The MSLT concentration has excelled in gleaning funded research awards from influential agencies in MSLT research and development. Over the last 5 years we have been awarded:
  • 19 Federal grants (NSF, US DOE) totaling $9.9 million
  • 10 Commonwealth grants (MA DOE, MA BHE, Commonwealth Information Technology Initiative) totaling $1.8 million
  • 4 University grants totaling $47K
• The MSLT concentration has a strong national and international reputation in several areas. For example, in 2006, Dr. John Clement received a lifetime achievement award for his cumulative contributions to the field in science teaching and learning from the National Association for Research on Science Teaching.
• The concentration offers doctoral and advanced candidates opportunities to engage in scholarly work within schools and with teachers and teacher candidates, allowing our work to inform and be informed by the knowledge of practitioners. Current research and scholarship projects are underway in areas such as:
  • How technology-, inquiry-, project-, and field-based science instruction serve to facilitate teacher and student learning and the legitimate participation in MSLT of all students, especially those usually marginalized--females, students of color, and those from low social economic means.
  • The design of digital learning environments to foster the development of creative thinking and inquiry-based habits of mind in the fields of science and technology.
  • The principles of instruction that enable students to develop visualizable models in science, including design principles for curriculum development, technological tools, and new pedagogical principles.
  • The expansion of our theory of conceptual change processes common to three major subject areas in science and to develop an accompanying set of effective instructional strategies for teaching science.
• The Learning, Media and Technology Master’s Program includes students from various fields who aim to extend their knowledge base and skills in the use of current technologies in their work settings. Eight new courses in Learning Technologies have been constructed.
• The Science Education Online M.Ed./CAGS program offers elementary and middle school science teachers opportunities to increase their knowledge of science and science teaching. Massachusetts' teachers can earn Professional Licensure through this program. Eleven online courses have been developed by science and science education faculty and by practicing teachers, with funding from the National Science Foundation. The program provides professional development to urban teachers, those in rural areas, and teachers across the country and around the world. For more about SEO visit: www.umass.edu/seo

Required Courses

EDUC 792q  Introduction to Research in Mathematics, Science, & Technology Education
EDUC 738   Survey of Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education Research

Other important information links

Licensure

MTEL

Click here for an application

Contact Information

Concentration Coordinator: Kathleen S. Davis (Associate Professor)

Associated Faculty

Flávio Azevedo (Assistant Professor), John J. Clement (Professor Emeritus), Kathleen S. Davis (Associate Professor), John M. Francisco (Assistant Professor), John Kudukey (Lecturer), Sandra Madden (Assistant Professor), Barbara Madeloni (Senior Lecturer), Howard A. Peelle (Professor), Florence Sullivan, (Assistant Professor).