On this episode, I am joined by Dr. Sam Johnston, a research scientist with The Center for Applied Special Technology, or CAST. With support of the Gates Foundation's Open Professionals Education Network, she recently led the development of UDL On Campus—a collection of online resources to aid postsecondary educators in implementing Universal Design for Learning. Currently, Sam works on the National Center on Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) focusing on postsecondary and workforce take up of AEM. Sam is also a co-principal investigator for a National Science Foundation study on stereotype threat and its impact on inquiry science pedagogy in middle schools. The project will create a prototype web-based professional development course to help middle-school science teachers understand stereotype threat and use UDL to reduce its effects in everyday instruction. Sam's primary research focus is on the use of networked technology to support peer-to-peer knowledge transfer and she has conducted design-based research in both professional development and formal education settings. Before joining CAST, Sam was a Senior Associate and Distance Educator at the Center for Social Innovation, leading the company's online learning strategy. Sam holds a BA from McGill University and a masters degree and doctorate in education from Harvard.

Show Notes

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Segment 1: Design-based Research [00:00-10:17]

In this first segment, Sam offers a definition of design-based research.

Segment 2: Examples of Design-based Research [10:18-18:32]

In segment two, Sam shares some examples of designed-based research based on her work with CAST.

Segment 3: Working with Vendors on Research Projects [18:32-29:32]

In segment three, Sam discusses some of the benefits and challenges of collaborating with vendors on academic research.

Bonus Clip #1 [00:00-04:10]: Basic vs. Applied Research

Bonus Clip #2 [00:00-04:26]: Expanding Design-based Research into Higher Education

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