In the Math Thinking and Learning Lab we conduct research focusing on a few areas:
1) Factors related to mathematics performance
This area of work examines a number of different factors (e.g., math anxiety, working memory, spatial skills, stereotypes) and how they are related to mathematics learning and test performance. We also have a specific focus on better understanding which of these factors might help to explain any observed gender differences in math learning.
2) The role of teacher characteristics in student math attitudes and learning
In this area of work, funded by the Institute of Education Sciences, we are interested in understanding how elementary school teacher characteristics, including their math knowledge for teaching, math anxiety, and teaching background, relate to their students' attitudes and learning in mathematics. Our hope is to identify key aspects of teacher preparation that could be improved to increase students learning in mathematics.
3) The development of strategies and learning in geometry and measurement
This research explores how elementary school students reason about geometry and measurement principles. In this work we examine how particular characteristics of a task are related to student strategy use and test performance. We also are studying which types of instruction are most likely to lead to increases in student learning.
4) Predictors of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) career choices
In this line of research, we examine the predictors of students' election of a STEM college major and use this information to better understand the underrepresentation of women in certain STEM majors and how we might attract more students (and particularly women) to STEM fields.
5) Predictors of student performance in college Calculus and Music Theory courses
In collaboration with Dr. Sara Hart and other faculty at FSU we have been examining the attitudinal and cognitive predictors of student performance in college courses in two different areas: Calculus and Music Theory. In both projects we examine how attitudes about these subjects, number skills, and spatial skills are related to course performance. The ultimate goal of this research is to be able to identify students early on who may struggle with this coursework so that we can provide them with extra support.
1) Factors related to mathematics performance
This area of work examines a number of different factors (e.g., math anxiety, working memory, spatial skills, stereotypes) and how they are related to mathematics learning and test performance. We also have a specific focus on better understanding which of these factors might help to explain any observed gender differences in math learning.
2) The role of teacher characteristics in student math attitudes and learning
In this area of work, funded by the Institute of Education Sciences, we are interested in understanding how elementary school teacher characteristics, including their math knowledge for teaching, math anxiety, and teaching background, relate to their students' attitudes and learning in mathematics. Our hope is to identify key aspects of teacher preparation that could be improved to increase students learning in mathematics.
3) The development of strategies and learning in geometry and measurement
This research explores how elementary school students reason about geometry and measurement principles. In this work we examine how particular characteristics of a task are related to student strategy use and test performance. We also are studying which types of instruction are most likely to lead to increases in student learning.
4) Predictors of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) career choices
In this line of research, we examine the predictors of students' election of a STEM college major and use this information to better understand the underrepresentation of women in certain STEM majors and how we might attract more students (and particularly women) to STEM fields.
5) Predictors of student performance in college Calculus and Music Theory courses
In collaboration with Dr. Sara Hart and other faculty at FSU we have been examining the attitudinal and cognitive predictors of student performance in college courses in two different areas: Calculus and Music Theory. In both projects we examine how attitudes about these subjects, number skills, and spatial skills are related to course performance. The ultimate goal of this research is to be able to identify students early on who may struggle with this coursework so that we can provide them with extra support.
