Education
The Importance of Early Learning
The significant role of play in child growth and development is frequently overlooked. Many parents and teachers, concerned about the importance of learning and development, view play as entertaining but of little value. Michael Henniger, associate dean at the Woodring College of Education, views play as an essential part of childhood. A specialist in early childhood education, Dr. Henniger presents a clear rationale for the importance of childhood play.
Dr. Michael Henniger recently published the third edition of a popular textbook on early childhood education in which he emphasizes the importance of play in the lives of children. Arriving at WWU in the fall of 1991, he began his career as a professor of early childhood education before getting involved in university administration. Dr. Henniger received his Ph.D. in early childhood education from the University of Texas.
How Families Support Children's Literacy Development
Families and community members are children’s first literacy teachers and continue to be a critical literacy resource as children make their way through school. Children who adopt literacy practices early in life are more likely to experience success throughout their school years. Tracy Coskie shares powerful strategies that families and others can use to help children engage in and enjoy reading and writing.
Dr. Tracy L. Coskie is an assistant professor of elementary education and the director of the Pacific Northwest Children’s Literature Clearinghouse. Dr. Coskie’s research interests include looking at how multicultural literature helps develop children’s commitment to social responsibility and how young people develop literacy practices in non-school environments. Dr. Coskie came to Western from the University of Washington where she received her Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction with a focus on language, literacy and culture.
Selecting the Best of Children's Literature
Out of the hundreds of children’s books published each year, what differentiates a good bedtime story from a Newbery Medal winner? Nancy Johnson, who read some 700 children’s books considered for the honor, will share her criteria for a well-crafted story as well as her expertise on engaging children in reading literature. Dr. Johnson was one of 15 librarians, professors and other children’s literature experts chosen nationwide to select the winner of the 2003 Newbery Medal. The honor is the American Library Association’s award for the American who has made the year’s greatest contribution to children’s literature.
Dr. Nancy Johnson teaches children’s literature and other courses in Western’s English department and directs the annual Bond Children’s Literature Conference. She co-authors a review of children’s books for the “Journal of Children’s Literature,” and is currently writing a book about using children’s literature to teach writing. In 2003 she received the International Reading Association’s Arbuthnot Award, which honors a college or university teacher who inspires the reading of children’s literature. Johnson has also edited and written books on using children’s literature in the classroom. She earned her B.A. degree from the University of Washington and her M.A. and Ph.D. from Michigan State University.
Why Women Are Underrepresented in Math and Science
Commonly held beliefs about gender preferences and abilities strongly influence women’s choices of college majors and careers and present obstacles for entry into advanced math and science study. This influence is particularly consequential during the middle and secondary school years when students are actively forming their gender-based identities. Karen Bradley discusses research surrounding these issues as well as her collaborative work examining women’s underrepresentation in math and math-based scientific fields within colleges and universities in a wide range of countries.
Dr. Karen Bradley, associate professor of sociology, has done extensive research examining how gender influences educational choices. She is the coauthor, with Dr. Maria Charles, sociology professor at the University of California, San Diego, of a recent study examining higher education degrees awarded in 21 industrialized nations. Their study, which showed that women were consistently underrepresented in math and science, was presented in 2005 at the 100th annual meeting of the American Sociological Association and has received international attention. Bradley is the recipient of an Outstanding International Study of the Year Award for research relating to gender parity in education. She earned her Ph.D. in Sociology from Stanford University.
Learning Without Bounds: The Digital Learning Commons
Equal access to the lifelong advantages of a high-quality education is now available any time, any place across Washington state. The Digital Learning Commons, a web-based pilot project, provides classes, research tools, parenting tips and college preparation guides to high school students, teachers and families in our community. In this presentation, Tim Keiper provides an overview of this educational resource, which is funded by public and private dollars.
Dr. Tim Keiper is associate professor at Woodring College of Education where he has taught courses in secondary education and instructional technology since 1997. He received his master’s, educational specialist’s and Ph.D. from the University of Missouri.
Visuals, Vocals & Verbals: The 3Vs for More Effective Communication
Teachers are constantly in the sales business. Every day, they enter classrooms and sell products ranging from algebraic equations to causes of the Civil War. Robert Keiper shows how passionate and persuasive teachers use nonverbal communications (visuals), engage their audience with the power of their voice (vocals), and carefully consider the words (verbals) they use. These skills and techniques are easily transferable to most activities and professions.
Dr. Robert Keiper is associate professor of secondary education at Woodring College of Education. He supervises student teachers and is the instructor for “The Dynamics of Teaching,” a required course at Woodring College of Education. Dr. Keiper has more than 20 years’ public school teaching experience and has been at Western since 1990. He has presented his “Teacher As Actor” workshops nationwide. His presentations utilize a computer and a data projection system to involve the audience.
The Education of Native Peoples
Not many Americans understand the unique contributions Native Americans (American Indian and Alaska natives) have made to the world, and many are not aware of the political relationships that exist between tribal groups and the U.S. government. William Demmert, a specialist in education and cultural issues, discusses these relationships and the challenges encountered by school systems and tribal groups working to improve educational opportunities for native students.
Dr. William Demmert, a professor with Western’s Woodring College of Education, holds a doctorate in education from Harvard and is a former commissioner of education for Alaska, a former U.S. deputy commissioner of education and a former director of education in the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs. He is of Tlingit and Oglala (Sioux) heritage and is currently working with the Rand Corporation, the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory, Educational Testing Services and other national studies regarding the education of native peoples and influence of culturally-based educational programs.
How Adults Learn
Adults learn differently than children do. In this presentation, Sandra Daffron demonstrates specific techniques for teaching and training adults. Her presentation includes an overview of the interactive teaching model developed by Malcolm Knowles that focuses on using the knowledge of all the adults involved in a learning situation.
Education in China Today
In China, three percent of the country’s GNP is now being directed toward setting up community colleges and technical schools, expanding the country’s 1,552 colleges and universities, and establishing local learning communities. Sandra Daffron reports on the advances in urbanization and industrialization that are driving forces in current efforts to expand educational and training opportunities. Daffron led a 2005 study tour to China and visited a variety of educational programs offered at community and regional levels.
Dr. Sandra Ratcliff Daffron, program director of continuing and college education, came to Western Washington University in 2001 after completing a two-year assignment as senior advisor for judicial and legal education in Palestine. She has done extensive research in public policy formation and served for three years as executive director and vice president of the American Judicature Society. Daffron received her Ed.D. in adult and continuing education at Northern Illinois University and has served on the board of directors for the American Association of Continuing Education.
Teaching Science in South Africa
How does a country with a long history of educational inequity adapt to a new “equal rights for all” constitution? Scott Linneman, a senior Fulbright Scholar in South Africa during 2001, says the answer depends on who is asked. Linneman describes the struggles of science educators in South Africa following the advent of democracy in that country in 1994, examines issues related to the implementation of a radical new national curriculum and discusses the challenge presented by the AIDS crisis.
Dr. Scott Linneman is an assistant professor in the department of geology and a member of the science education group. After teaching in Idaho for eight years, he joined the faculty at Western’s College of Sciences and Technology in 2000 and then spent a year in South Africa as a senior Fulbright Scholar. His research has included analyzing the hazards of Cascade volcanoes and studying the ways children and adults gain understanding of the earth sciences. His Ph.D. in geology is from the University of Wyoming.
The Power of Effective Schooling
In this presentation, Steven VanderStaay emphasizes that the importance of good schooling in a child’s life can never be overestimated. Teachers who engage their students and provide challenging curriculum can have a profound effect on whether those students become delinquents. Dr. VanderStaay, a former high school teacher, is writing a book on the expanding influence of the juvenile justice system within the educational system. He will share the results of a year-long study examining the effectiveness of an award-winning Seattle teacher and the links between literacy and criminal behavior.
Dr. Steven VanderStaay is a writer and literary scholar who taught high school for seven years in urban, rural and bilingual settings. He was awarded a fellowship by the National Academy of Education four years after receiving his doctorate from the University of Iowa and spent the 1999-2000 academic year researching the factors that protect at-risk children from engaging in criminal or dangerous behavior. An associate professor of English, VanderStaay teaches courses at Western in literacy, language and literature.
Educational Trends in Assessment and Curriculum Integration
Bruce Larson discusses trends in education related to testing/assessment and curriculum integration that address the knowledge, skills and attitudes students need to participate in a democracy as contributing citizens. Drawing on his extensive research, Larson examines new developments in curriculum planning, instructional strategies, classroom management, assessment requirements, social studies methods and the integration of computer technology with traditional classroom discussion and instructional models.
Dr. Bruce Larson is an associate professor at Western’s Woodring College of Education. He has published numerous curriculum guides and contributed book chapters focusing on teacher education, social studies development and the integration of technology in the classroom. His basal reader series won a first place award at the 2003 New York Book Show. Larson currently serves on the National Council for the Social Studies College and University Faculty Assembly’s executive board of directors and on the editorial advisory boards for “Social Studies and the Young Learner” and “Theory and Research in Social Education.” He is a 2003 recipient of Western Washington University’s Excellence in Teaching Award.
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