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thomas

Research and Scholarly Interests

Science educational researchers often define the field as including three types of participants: players (those that conduct scientific research for society), coaches (those that teach science), and managers (those that work tangentially with teachers in K-12 science education). As his role shifts from that of a full time teacher (coach) in the K-12 classroom to one of a manager he tries to stay connected by working with area teachers. An associate professor in the Department of Teacher Education, Thomas has been focusing his recent time and energies to bring together local educators in their efforts to deliver interesting and meaningful exercises to their students. Serving as the principal investigator or co-principal investigator for several recent grants, he has worked with area department chairs and teachers in the development of constructivist-based laboratory manuals for Advanced Biology, Biology I, and Chemistry. The manuals are now being used by approximately 2000 area students.

He believes the current generation is the best ever at using technology and continues to work with area elementary school teachers in efforts to integrate technology into the elementary curriculum. One recent project looked at using GPS units in a second grade classroom. Students used GPS units for geocaching on their school property. The geocaching hunt was part of a larger exercise on timelines and integrated with Shel Silverstein’s book The Giving Tree.

At the teacher preparation level he seeks to understand answers to the following questions: 1) What impact is technology having on pre-service teachers? 2) Are teachers entering into our schools with the ability to integrate technology?

If there is a single motto that serves as a guide for your career and life, what is it?

Treat everybody as if they are somebody.

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