What is my general worldview in terms of what I think can be known, why that is the case, and how we can best understand the world?
My research and general areas of curiosity are centered around how we navigate diverse learning systems to create knowledge and how to measure the success of translating learning schemas across diverse learning environments. My worldview is influenced by three underpinning psychology, philosophy, and educational theories. Psychologically, I am grounded in Skinner’s operant conditioning theory -- the idea that behavior is determined by its consequences, be they reinforcements or punishments, which make it more or less likely that the behavior will occur again. Philosophically, I am grounded in Hume’s Moral philosophy in that everything we believe is ultimately traceable to experience. And Educationally, I am grounded in Paulo Freire's positive action for change and development and Maria Montessori’s method for allowing learners to develop natural interests and activities rather than use formal teaching methods.
What is research to me? What is its purpose? Do I prefer numbers or narratives or both?
I believe that the purpose of the researcher is to ask questions about phenomena and connect ideas to both the past scholarly discourse and suggest future directions based on evidence and disciplinary trends. My personal goal as a researcher is to seek connections among ideas across disciplines, industries, and global perspectives. Of all the ways I’ve tried to conduct research, I have found the most useful data from focus groups when navigating organizational or technological change. I have informally led small focus groups of 3-4 people and large focus groups of up to 12 people. I find a rich data set in the order and length someone speaks based on their perceived or granted authority, the depth of body language, and what someone does not say based on what I know of them personally.
What is your main focus in terms of what you are planning for future research? Are you interested in higher education, K-12, corporate, or other settings/topics? Are you looking to switch your focus to a new setting as you move forward in your career?
I am looking at Digital Literacy as the focus of my research and how to improve student success in Higher Education through better relevance, instruction, and integration with adjacent disciplinary curriculum. There is a wealth of digital literacy research for k-12 and adult learners, but a gap in the transitional stage into adulthood. I believe connecting the three stages of development will give us a good understanding of what information overload is doing to our ability to learn and make new knowledge. I want people to critically think and be better informed so we can increase the civil engagement and empathetic discussions with diverse people in the world.
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