Category Archives: Staff

Faculty, General, Professional Development, Staff, Students

2018 National Teacher of the Year Finalist Kara Ball at Towson University: March 26, 2018

The College of Education welcomes the 2018 National Teacher of the Year finalist and Towson University College of Education alumna, Kara Ball on March 26, 2018.

Kara is an accomplished and award-winning Nationally Board Certified Teacher in Early Childhood Education and a 2008 Towson University Elementary Education/Special Education graduate. She is also recognized as one of the best science and math educators in the nation as a 2016 finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching. She teaches 4th and 5th grade multi-age as well as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Education to military children at DeLalio Elementary School in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Her motto is “fail your way to success” which encourages her students to take risks, persevere when challenged and view failure as a natural part of the learning process. She has helped to establish programs in her schools including Girls on the Run, STRIDE, Global Cardboard Challenge, SeaPerch Robotics, Science Olympiad, and a STEM Carnival.

We hope that you can join us for one or all of her presentations on March 26, 2018:

For Students

Top Ten Pieces of Advice for Future Teachers
Hawkins Hall 305/306
9:00 – 10:00 am

Authentic Learning Experiences in Science Education
Hawkins Hall 015
10:00 – 11:30 am

For Faculty and Students

From Towson University College of Education to Teacher of the Year Finalist:
The Story of Kara Ball
University Union, Chesapeake
2:00 – 4:00 pm

Doctoral Programs, EDTL, Faculty, General, Staff

Dissertation Defense: Emily Wyatt Ziegler

Emily Wyatt Ziegler
November 21, 2017
10:00 am
Hawkins Hall, Room 110

Dissertation Title: An Analysis of Co-Construction of Knowledge and the Role of Social Networks in Asynchronous Discussions

Committee: Dr. William Sadera, Dr. Elizabeth Berquist, Dr. Scot McNary, Dr. Liyan Song

Abstract: As the use of asynchronous discussion boards have become almost commonplace throughout online instruction, those conducting research and practicing teaching in these environments still lack a clear understanding of how learning occurs and the impact of social relationships between participants in these environments. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between the co-construction of knowledge and the social network of participants within asynchronous discussions. Results of this mixed-methods study determined no discernable relationship between the co-construction of knowledge and participation within discussion boards. This study upheld the research that learning occurs mostly in the beginning stages of the co-construction of knowledge process signifying factors contribute to the prevalence of low-phase co-construction of knowledge such as objectives set for the discussion and the facilitation of learning. The study found that co-construction of knowledge was not dependent upon the number of posts contributed by an individual, suggesting minimum post requirements may not provide an accurate assessment of earning. This study adds to the growing field of research connecting learning and the social network of learners in an online discussion. Recommendations for practice included: utilizing the principles of the knowledge co-construction process and social networks to develop objectives, assessments, and facilitation techniques.

Faculty, General, Professional Development, Special Events, Staff

Dean’s Sabbatical Series: Dr. Rebecca Shargel

Two brains are better than one: Paired text study in the college classroom

Dr. Rebecca Shargel

November 13, 2017
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Towson Room, Cook Library, Room 507

Dean Laurie Mullen and the College of Education faculty and staff welcome you to the Fall 2017 College of Education Dean’s Sabbatical Lecture Series. Dr. Rebecca Shargel, Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Technology & Literacy, will present a lecture entitled Two brains are better than one: A study of paired text study in the college classroom. Light refreshments will be served.

About the Presentation

This research addresses the problem of first year college students refusing to participate in full group discussions. An antidote to students’ silence is a paired learning method, havruta text study, a strategy derived from Jewish academies of higher learning. This qualitative study applied and adapted this method to several sections of Towson Seminar to investigate advantages and disadvantages of reading and discussing text with the same partner for the duration of a semester. This presentation will discuss the results of this investigation, particularly how students advanced in discussing controversial texts, took on new perspectives, supported peer learning, and found their voices while arriving at a richer understanding of controversial topics.

Faculty, General, Professional Development, Special Events, Staff

Dean’s Sabbatical Lecture Series: Dr. Xiaoming Liu

Teacher Education Experiences of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse International Students in the U.S.: Perspectives of Five Chinese Students

Dr. Xiaoming Liu

November 1, 2017
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Towson Room, Cook Library

Dean Laurie Mullen and the College of Education faculty and staff welcome you to the Fall 2017 College of Education Dean’s Sabbatical Lecture Series. Dr. Xiaoming Liu, associate professor in Elementary Education, will present a lecture titled Teacher Education Experiences of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse International Students in the U.S.: Perspectives from Five Chinese Students. Light refreshments will be served.

Continue for more details

Commencement, Faculty, General, Staff, Students

COE Winter 2017 Commencement Speaker Nominations

We are seeking nominations for an undergraduate commencement speaker for the Winter 2017 commencement ceremony.

Students can self-nominate, nominate another student, and/or be nominated by a faculty member.  Nominations will go to the respective department chair and each department will then submit a final nominee for the undergraduate speaker to the Assistant Dean.

The Speaker Selection Committee will review the final nominees to make sure they have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA. Short interviews will then be scheduled with each nominee.

The selection of the final speakers will be based on the interviews in conjunction with the nominee’s academic performance.

Please complete this survey by Monday, September 25, 2017.