Shannon Anderson
PhD candidate, Organic Chemistry with dual-enrollment in STEM Education
Statement of research interests:
In organic chemistry, spectroscopy is extensively used to characterize and identify the structures of compounds. Such data is obtained in graphical form most typically from Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Infrared (IR), and Mass Spectrometry (MS) instruments. Instructors often find spectroscopy challenging to teach as it requires students to transfer knowledge across different levels of abstraction and time is particularly limited for this topic. As a building block to other forms of visual representations, understanding organic spectroscopy allows students to apprehend similar and advanced visual representations that they will encounter in their careers. My research focuses on examining what factors affect students' ability to solve structures from organic chemical spectra, what conceptual knowledge students draw on when solving spectra, and what their reasoning looks like.
Office: Dunbar Laboratories, Room 54
Email: shannon.cumiskey@my.ndsu.edu
Jessie Arneson
Doctoral student, Biochemistry with dual enrollment in STEM Education
Statement of research interests:
In science, visual representations are a key currency as they provide a medium through which scientists can exchange abstract ideas amongst themselves as well as with the general public. In the undergraduate science curriculum, students are exposed to a wide variety of representations - e.g. formulae, photographs, graphs, and cartoons - which vary in composition and complexity. Interpretation of these images can be challenging and, without certain visualization skills, students may develop misconceptions. In order to be successful in understanding and creating scientific representations, students must develop visual literacy. My research focuses on examining the visual language of biochemistry, identifying the skills necessary for interpreting and using these visualizations, and exploring ways to better develop student skills within the biochemistry classroom.
Office: Dunbar Laboratories, Room 54
Email: jessie.arneson.1@my.ndsu.edu
Andrew Calascione
Doctoral student, Chemistry with dual enrollment in STEM Education
Statement of research interests:
With the rise of technology, most notably computers and the internet, science courses have begun using learning management systems (LMS) such as Blackboard and Moodle more and more. Student interactions with LMS create a digital exhaust that can reveal many inferences about the students and teachers, including student motivation, student study habits, and curriculum alignment. My current research looks into the use of Progress Checks which are quizzes administered through blackboard. The data is pulled and analyzed using educational data mining strategies and is guided by learning analytics. Eventually, this will lead to conclusions on how technology has affected the modern students and learning environment.
email: andrew.calascione@my.ndsu.edu
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