Students, faculty present at National Conference on Undergraduate Research

May 2, 2017

[caption id="attachment_7138" align="aligncenter" width="608"] (Left to right) Kymberly Harris, Ph.D., special education majors Samantha D’Amato and Kaitlin Spell[/caption] Five Georgia Southern University College of Education (COE) students presented at the 31st annual National Conference on Undergraduate Research held April 6-8 in Memphis, Tennessee. Early childhood education major Anna Dowdell presented "Preferred Behavioral Management Strategies in 3rd-5th Grade Teachers." She examined classroom management procedures and strategies by interviewing and observing teachers in action. Kayleigh Hunter, early childhood education major, presented a session titled, "Technology and Student Achievement in STEM Subjects: Perspectives from Teachers in Grades 3rd–5th." Her presentation centered around teachers’ perspectives of their roles and responsibilities of integrating technology in the classroom and the influence technology has on the achievement of students. Middle grades education major Cassandra Villers presented information on middle school students’ thoughts and perspectives of what motivates them in the classroom. Her session, titled “Characteristics of an Engaging Middle Grades Classroom," explored students’ suggestions of what they would like to see from their teachers in terms of engagement and stimulation that could improve learning quality. Special education majors Kaitlin Spell and Samantha D’Amato participated in a poster presentation. Their presentation, “Effects of Student Teachers on Students with Emotional Behavior Disorder,” explored the presence of student teachers in the classroom and the adverse effect it had on a student with emotional behavior disorder after leaving the classroom at the end of their six-week rotation. Associate Professors Kymberly Harris, Ph.D, of the Department of Teaching and Learning, and Meca Williams-Johnson, Ph.D., Department of Curriculum, Foundations, and Reading, served as faculty mentors for the student presenters. “There were several students from across the United States presenting intriguing research from a wide variety of disciplines,” Williams-Johnson said of the conference. “I was impressed with the level of sophistication and complexity when the students presented their research.” Williams-Johnson has observed several undergraduate students participating in research and believes these projects help to develop students’ interest in graduate study and advances their professional development. “Additionally, undergraduate students presenting research increases awareness about their chosen profession and their confidence,” said Williams-Johnson. “Many students are drawn into researching topics of interest and begin to ask critical questions that will explore how we can make a meaningful and measurable differences.” [caption id="attachment_7140" align="aligncenter" width="405"] (Left to right) Cassi Villers, Meca Williams-Johnson, Ph.D, Anna Dowdell, Kayleigh Hunter[/caption] Harris explained that for the students, especially in the special education field, research influences their careers. “It was especially telling to hear students say ‘teachers work with data all the time, and using data to make decisions about student outcomes is important.’ The recognition that their profession is indeed research-driven is extremely important when determining what and how to teach in classrooms,” Harris said. Williams-Johnson and Harris also presented a session for faculty attendees at the conference titled, "Making Research Authentic: Data Collection in an Undergrad Special Education Program." During the presentation, they presented information from both their personal and colleagues’ experiences in implementing a redesign of the undergraduate special education curriculum to include research components. The National Conference on Undergraduate Research is hosted each year by the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR). CUR focuses on providing undergraduate research opportunities for faculty and students. CUR provides support for faculty, administrator, and student development. Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers 119 degree programs serving 20,673 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered and hands-on approach to education. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.