Megan Bang Elected to National Academy Board
School of Education and Social Policy faculty member Megan Bang was elected to the National Academy of Education’s Board of Directors. Her four-year term begins Nov. 3, 2023.
Winchester Continues Aspen Youth Leadership Work
Corey Winchester (BS10, MS20) was named a Graduate Fellow in Residence for the Aspen Young Leaders Fellowship (AYLF) program to continue his work creating learning environments that foster connection, compassion, freedom dreaming, and a sense of belonging.
Faculty Member Wins Tools Competition
Northwestern University education researcher David Uttal and colleagues received a $100,000 award in the annual Tools Competition to develop an interactive platform that helps students and teachers learn spatial and math skills by using intricate and familiar patterns found in the natural world.
Revolutionary Civics: How Should Evanston Spend $3 Million?
The residents of Evanston, Ill. have no shortage of ideas about how to spend a tidy $3 million sum in federal COVID-19 relief funds. Protected bike lanes? Affordable housing? What about revitalizing the downtown area, improving mental health services, or fixing sidewalks?
STEAMbassadors: ‘Part of Something Bigger’
As a summer STEAMbassador, Patricia Richards was trained to teach children how to code. Ultimately, she improved her own technical skills, but what she loved most was watching the youngsters break into smiles after mastering something new.
Defining Childhood in the Age of Tech
Researchers explored the meaning of childhood in a tech-infused world during the Association for Computer Machinery’s annual Interaction Design and Children (IDC) Conference at Northwestern University.
‘Is a PhD for Me?'
Most people have heard the term ‘PhD,’ and they know that getting one is an outstanding accomplishment. But few picture themselves on this journey.
Outstanding Graduate Students Honored
Chris Cvikota, a technical specialist at Northwestern University who earned his master’s in higher education administration and policy, received the Outstanding Leadership Awards from the Northwestern Alumni Association.
Rapp's Lab Combats Misinformation
Professor David Rapp and his students hold down an especially lively corner of psychology, one that requires them to mix it up with scholars, scientists, and journalists on a regular basis, Delia O’Hara wrote in a story for the American Psychological Association.
These Five Faculty Members Earned Promotions
Five SESP faculty members with wide-ranging research interests were promoted for their outstanding scholarship and contributions to the field.
Shedding Light on Hidden Histories
Danny M. Cohen (PhD11) received a Provost Grant for Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts to expand his work helping teachers and students explore hidden histories of the Holocaust.
Off You Go: A Routine for Culturally Responsive Math
A visually rich mathematical routine for teachers leverages a child’s background and helps students build bridges between school math and culture, according to an article co-authored by assistant professor Jen Munson.
Pinkard Appointed Alice Hamilton Professor
School of Education and Social Policy alumna Nichole Pinkard (PhD98), a leading thinker on the design of educational ecosystems, was appointed the inaugural Alice Hamilton Professor of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy.
Mike Horn Promoted to Full Professor
Michael Horn, whose research has modernized museums and introduced musical approaches to coding, has been promoted to full professor at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy.
SESP Students, Alumni Win Spencer Fellowships
Northwestern University’s Jessica Marshall, a doctoral student in the learning sciences program, and two School of Education and Social Policy alumni were among the 35 scholars who received 2022 National Academy of Education/Spencer Dissertation Fellowships.
Kelter Wins Presidential Fellowship
Jacob Kelter, who studies how the power of computer modeling and simulations can help solve some of society’s most complex problems, received the prestigious Presidential Fellowship at Northwestern University.
Lifelong Learners Earn Doctorates
Eight Northwestern University graduate students recently reached the pinnacle of education, earning doctoral degrees in three of the School of Education and Social Policy's pioneering programs: Learning Sciences, Human Development and Social Policy, and Computer Science and Learning Sciences (CS + LS), a joint degree with the McCormick School of Engineering.
The Future of Music: Making Beats With Code
A new book by Northwestern University professor Mike Horn offers a powerful new way to create music that can be linked with digital production tools of the future.
The Future of Music: Making Beats With Code
A new book by Northwestern University professor Mike Horn offers a powerful new way to create music that can be linked with digital production tools of the future.
Spillane Honored for Mentoring Young Scholars
James Spillane received the 2022 Spencer Foundation Mentor Award for his generous, wise, and decades-long support of the next generation of scholars.
Halverson: Using the Arts to Fix a Broken System
Alumna Erica Halverson’s new book “How the Arts Can Save Education” is, strangely enough, not about arts education. Instead, Halverson uses arts practices to fundamentally rethink how “learning” should be measured and to design learning environments and experiences that can serve all kids.
Vossoughi Named One of Northwestern's Best Teachers
Shirin Vossoughi was honored with a Northwestern University Teaching Award for bringing justice-oriented, intergenerational, and collaborative teaching to a new level and for championing the “half-baked idea.”
Faculty Contribute to New IES Report on Future of Ed Research
The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) should change its structures and policies to better meet changing priorities in education – including improving equity and the usefulness of research, according to a new report whose authors include several Northwestern University faculty members.
Pioneering Psychologist Dan P. McAdams Named Interim SESP Dean
Dan P. McAdams, one of the nation's foremost researchers in the field of narrative psychology, has been named interim dean of Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy.
Lam Honored for Immigration Research
School of Education and Social Policy Professor Eva Lam and her coauthors received the Alan C. Purves Award from the National Council of Teachers of English for their research looking at what happens when young people tell their own immigration stories through documentary filmmaking.
Researchers Tackle Inequity in STEM Education
Four School of Education and Social Policy researchers and alums will help address systemic inequities in PreK-12 STEM education as part of an esteemed National Academies’ committee.
Graduate Students Win Spencer Dissertation Fellowships
Graduate students Nikki McDaid and Sebastián Kiguel have received highly competitive NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowships to support their research and career development.
Meet SESP's Newest PhD's
Sixteen Northwestern University graduate students earned doctoral degrees in three of the School of Education and Social Policy's pioneering programs: Learning Sciences, Human Development and Social Policy, and Computer Science and Learning Sciences (CS + LS), a joint degree with the McCormick School of Engineering.
Learning from Classroom Video: How Can it Help Teachers?
Northwestern University professors Jen Richards and Miriam Sherin are co-principal investigators on a $700,000 collaborative National Science Foundation Grant that explores how teachers learn from watching video clips of their classroom.
SESP Launches New Research-Practice Partnership with $5.8-Million Grant
Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) received a $5.8-million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support an innovative partnership that links University researchers and Curriculum Associates, a leading provider of digital assessment and instructional materials, with several school districts.
The Process is Messy. And That's OK.
Jada Levi’s senior honors math class at Evanston Township High School (ETHS) was one of the most unusual courses she had ever taken. And not just because the assignments seemed unrelated to algebra, AP calculus or statistics.
Two Faculty Members Honored for Education Research
Professors Carol D. Lee and Megan Bang were honored by the American Educational Research Association (AERA) for their cutting-edge education research, scholarship, and service to the field.
Brian Reiser named AERA Fellow
Northwestern University’s Brian Reiser, professor of learning sciences at the School of Education and Social Policy, has been named a 2021 American Educational Research Association (AERA) Fellow for distinguished and sustained work in science education.
‘Inclusive Making’ Helps Students Design for People with Disabilities
A college design course that takes a critical look at the field of ‘making” and includes partnerships between students and people with disabilities can promote accessibility in computing, according to new Northwestern University research.
FUSE Studios Expands to Southern California
Students in underserved elementary schools in Southern California will have access to Northwestern University’s FUSE Studios program this fall, thanks in part to a $150,000 grant from the Mazda Foundation.
Spikes Discusses Illinois New Media Literacy Bill
Northwestern University learning sciences doctoral candidate Michael A. Spikes stressed the importance of teaching media literacy in light of a new bill that would require Illinois high schools to incorporate media literacy education into existing curricula that targets understanding and evaluating news and social media.
These Two Rising Stars Won Early CAREER Awards
Northwestern University’s Eleanor O’Rourke and Marcelo Worsley received the prestigious Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for projects designed to strengthen and diversify the field of computer science.
Brayboy Challenges SESP to Reimagine Education for Indigenous Students
Scholars have an important opportunity and responsibility to help transform schools into a system that supports Indigenous students, Arizona State University (ASU) professor Bryan McKinley Jones Brayboy (Lumbee) said during the latest installment of the School of Education and Social Policy Equity Book Club.
These Two Rising Stars Won Early CAREER Awards
Northwestern University’s Eleanor O’Rourke and Marcelo Worsley received the prestigious Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for projects designed to strengthen and diversify the field of computer science.
Experts: New Resource Can Fight COVID-19 Misinformation
Professor David Rapp was among more than two dozen expert scientists from around the world who contributed to a new user-friendly handbook designed to help fight the spread of misinformation about the coronavirus vaccines.
Marginalized Students’ Backgrounds a Strength, Researchers Say
Rather than “fixing” students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, colleges and universities should view their experiences as assets and a source of strength, according to two new publications by SESP researchers.
Vakil Receives Spencer Grant to Study Engineering Students, Islamic Revolution
Northwestern University’s Sepehr Vakil received a $346,000 Spencer Foundation large research grant to study how the cultural, religious, and political context of late 20th century Iran shaped a premiere engineering university in the years leading up to the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Three Faculty Members Join National Academy of Education
Northwestern University Professors Megan Bang, Jonathan Guryan, and Brian Reiser were among 22 exceptional scholars elected to the prestigious National Academy of Education (NAEd) for their stellar contributions to education scholarship and research.
Adult vs. Child-Centered Learning: Why We Need Another Path
Teachers often act as hands-off facilitators in makerspace settings, letting children lead the way. But what happens when they step back too far?
‘Inclusive Making’ Helps Students Design for People with Disabilities
A college design course that takes a critical look at the field of ‘making” and includes partnerships between students and people with disabilities can promote accessibility in computing, according to new Northwestern University research.
Adult vs. Child-Centered Learning: Why We Need Another Path
Teachers often act as hands-off facilitators in makerspace settings, letting children lead the way. But what happens when they step back too far?
‘Inclusive Making’ Helps Students Design for People with Disabilities
A college design course that takes a critical look at the field of ‘making” and includes partnerships between students and people with disabilities can promote accessibility in computing, according to new Northwestern University research.
Vakil Receives Spencer Grant to Study Engineering Students, Islamic Revolution
Northwestern University’s Sepehr Vakil received a $346,000 Spencer Foundation large research grant to study how the cultural, religious, and political context of late 20th century Iran shaped a premiere engineering university in the years leading up to the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Three Faculty Members Join National Academy of Education
Northwestern University Professors Megan Bang, Jonathan Guryan, and Brian Reiser were among 22 exceptional scholars elected to the prestigious National Academy of Education (NAEd) for their stellar contributions to education scholarship and research.
Grad Student Develops New Courses for Gender and Sexuality Studies
School of Education and Social Policy graduate student Addie Shrodes will be teaching two courses she designed for Northwestern University’s Gender and Sexuality Studies (GSS) program, Everyday Resistance and Reimagination and Queer and Trans Technology, Play, and Protest.
Learning Sciences Graduate Student Receives CASEL Fellowship
Jessica Marshall, a graduate student in the learning sciences doctoral program, received a two-year pre-doctoral research fellowship with the Collaborative for Academic Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) to further her work creating more equitable civic learning environments across civic education.
SESP Facilitates Donation of Learning Games
SESP helped facilitate the donation of approximately 8,500 Osmo sampler kits to children and educators in Evanston and Chicago, including Evanston/Skokie School District 65, Chicago Public Schools (CPS), and community organizations.
SESP in the Media: December 2020
An ongoing, monthly roundup of appearances in the news media by School of Education and Social Policy faculty, researchers, and our community.
SESP Professor Named Co-Chair of Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission
Northwestern University’s Danny M. Cohen (PhD11) has been appointed co-chair of the Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission, a 17-member team of scholars, educators, and practitioners focused on Holocaust, genocide, and social justice education, and commemoration.
Spikes Helps Craft Adult Media Literacy Guide
Learning Sciences doctoral student Michael Spikes served as a national advisor for the American Library Association’s new initiative to help library staffers respond to misinformation and other media literacy issues.
Computer Science + Learning Sciences Doctoral Program Welcomes New Cohort
Maddie Brucker, Ayse Hunt, and Michael Smith have joined the School of Education and Social Policy’s Joint PhD Program in Computer Science and Learning Sciences.
Carol Lee Elected President of the National Academy of Education
Professor emeritus Carol D. Lee, the former Edwina S. Tarry Professor of Education, has been named president elect of the National Academy of Education.
O'Rourke Develops Cyberlearning Technology
Northwestern University professors Eleanor O’Rourke and Haoqi Zhang have received a $750,000 National Science Foundation Cyberlearning grant to help beginning computer science students develop better learning strategies and diversify the field.
Coburn Named to William T. Grant Selection Committee
Cynthia Coburn was named to the William T. Grant Scholars Selection Committee, a dedicated group of academics who help younger colleagues with career development, mentoring, and pursuing new research challenges.
Vakil's Award Supports Ethics in Computing Course
SESP's Sepehr Vakil and Sarah Van Wart of the McCormick School of Engineering are developing a new ethics in computing class for undergraduate computer science majors with support from a Curriculum Innovation award from The Alumnae of Northwestern University.
Student Films Explore Race, Power, and Technology
Three timely documentary films examining the impact of new policing and surveillance technologies on communities in Chicago and Evanston will premiere online in a special event organized by Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) and the Block Museum of Art.
News Literacy in an Era of Fake News
People are influenced by inaccurate information even when they know better -- and even when they’re warned, professor David Rapp said during a recent webinar on news media literacy.
Rising Scholars Receive NAEd/Spencer Fellowships and Awards
Five early career researchers – including doctoral students Julissa Muñiz and Cora Wigger – were among the winners of the prestigious 2020 National Academy of Education (NAEd)/Spencer Postdoctoral and Dissertation Fellowships Awards.
OpenSciEd Releases Free Science Teaching Materials
OpenSciEd is a collaborative effort to develop free, high-quality classroom materials for teachers nationwide. Co-created by Northwestern University’s Brian Reiser and his team of learning scientists, the free and downloadable units are aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and lay the groundwork for the future of science education.
Coburn Receives Honorary Doctorate
SESP's Cynthia Coburn received an honorary doctorate from Universite Catholique de Louvain (CU Louvain) for her research uncovering the complicated factors and relationships that affect how educational policy is implemented in urban school systems.
Coburn, Jackson Elected to National Academy of Education
Cynthia Coburn and economist Kirabo Jackson were among fifteen exceptional scholars elected to the esteemed National Academy of Education (NAEd) in recognition of their outstanding contributions to education research. Northwestern was the only institution to have two inductees this year
Vossoughi Wins Ver Steeg Award
Northwestern University’s Shirin Vossoughi, assistant professor of learning sciences, has received The Graduate School’s 2019–20 Ver Steeg award for her outstanding work supporting and mentoring graduate students.
CT-STEM Helps Teachers Reimagine Curriculum
Real scientists generally don’t collect data by hand and crunch numbers using a calculator. So when Teresa Granito teaches biology at Evanston Township High School in the fall, she’ll introduce her students to some of the same computer modeling tools used by the pros.
First Computer Science-Learning Sciences Symposium Draws World's Top Scholars
Computer science classes and boot camps have never been more popular in the US and worldwide. But how can educators help the next generation use this technology to their advantage? And how can that information reach everyone – not just those drawn to the traditional notions of computer science?
Computer Scientists and Learning Scientists Join Forces
Computer science classes and boot camps have never been more popular. But how can we help the next generation of students feel empowered by this technology? And how can that education reach everyone – not just those who are drawn to the traditional notions of computer science?
Why You Don’t Want to Leave School During a Recession
The bad luck of leaving school during hard economic times can lead to higher rates of early death and permanent differences in life circumstances, Northwestern University’s Hannes Schwandt wrote in a policy brief.
Spillane Coaches Education Leaders in Asia
Professor James Spillane delivered a keynote speech on school leadership and led a related workshop during the recent Global Education Leadership Summit in Bangkok.
Northwestern Hosts First Computer Science and Learning Sciences Symposium
Distinguished leaders and rising stars in computer science and learning sciences will explore the challenges and opportunities facing the field of education during the first annual symposium on computing and learning April 28- 30 at Northwestern University.
SESP Heads to Toronto for AERA
SESP faculty, alumni, postdocs and graduate students will be presenting at the 2019 American Educational Research Association (AERA) annual meeting April 5 through April 9, the world’s largest gathering of education researchers.
Vakil: Equity is More Than Inclusion
Computer science educators should think more deeply about the ethical, political, and social justice consequences of their work, Northwestern University’s Sepehr Vakil wrote in a commentary published in the March issue of the magazine Communications of the Association for Computer Machinery.
Wilensky, Horn Awarded NSF Grant for Computational Thinking Research
Northwestern University professors Uri Wilensky and Mike Horn have received a $2.6 million National Science Foundation grant to help students improve their computational thinking skills in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and to explore how a computer-oriented approach to problem-solving impacts science education.
Why You Can’t 'Just Ignore' Fake News
Even if you know the information you’re getting is false, fictitious, or misleading, simply being exposed to it can have clear consequences, according to a review of recent studies by Northwestern University researchers.
Wilensky Named Lorraine Morton Professor
Northwestern University’s Uri Wilensky, a pioneer in learning technology and computational modeling, has been named the Lorraine Morton Professor of Learning Sciences and Computer Science, David Figlio, Dean of the School of Education and Social Policy (SESP), announced.
Five SESP Faculty Named to Edu-Scholar List
Five School of Education and Social Policy scholars were named to Education Week’s “Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings,” which recognize 200 of the most influential academics in education policy.
David Rapp: Why Debunking Doesn't Work
"The story of Bush’s reaction at the checkout scanner follows a narrative sequence of events that seem plausible and is simple to follow: Rich guy doesn’t buy his own groceries, rich guy has never seen a grocery checkout," writes David Rapp in the Washington Post.
Why You Can’t 'Just Ignore' Fake News
Even if you know the information you’re getting is false, fictitious, or misleading, simply being exposed to it can have clear consequences, according to a review of recent studies by Northwestern University researchers.
Bang, Vossoughi Win Alumnae Award
Megan Bang and Shirin Vossoughi have been named the 2019 recipients of The Alumnae of Northwestern University’s Award for Curriculum Development.
Worsley Recognized for Diversity, Inclusion Efforts
Marcelo Worsley will receive the 2019 Daniel Linzer Award for Faculty Excellence in Diversity and Equity for his innovative teaching and efforts to bring STEM education to all, regardless of physical ability.
SESP Heads to AERA 2018
More than three dozen Northwestern University faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and students from the School of Education and Social Policy are scheduled to participate in the 2018 annual American Educational Research Association (AERA) annual meeting in New York City.
Spillane Addresses Principals in Hong Kong and Hangzhou
James Spillane, an expert on school leadership and educational policy at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy, conducted a workshop on educational infrastructure design and delivered two keynote speeches for hundreds of principals and administrators during a recent spring trip to Hong Kong and Hangzhou.
Fuse Grant Recipient Launches Program in Peoria
Failure is an opportunity in Greg Gilson’s first-hour class, the FUSE studio at Manual Academy, said Pam Adams in the Peoria Journal Star. “There are no assignments, no classroom lectures, no traditional grades.”
Vossoughi, Pinkard Win Diversity Grants
School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) learning scientists Shirin Vossoughi and Nichole Pinkard have received 2017-18 Daniel I. Linzer Grants for Innovation in Diversity and Equity from the Northwestern University Office of the Provost
Reiser Receives $2.5 Million McDonnell Foundation Grant
Brian Reiser, professor of learning sciences, has received a five-year, $2.5 million grant from the James S. McDonnell Foundation to study how to best support science teachers as they integrate new practices into the classroom.
FUSE Challenges Evanston Sixth Graders
Sixth graders in Evanston/Skokie School District 65 are participating in Northwestern University’s FUSE program, a buffet of nearly 30 hands-on, computer-based challenges in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM).
Teatro Collective Blends 'Reflection, Art and Leadership'
The Teatro Collective, a group of Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social (SESP) policy graduate students, recently performed for -- and with -- Chicago–area educators who work with teens at the Chicago Public Library's Teen Services Conference.
Pinkard Featured During Computer Science Week
Northwestern University’s Nichole Pinkard (PhD98), one of the first learning scientists in the nation, was highlighted in a National Science Foundation (NSF) computer science campaign for empowering middle school girls in the STEM fields.
Nzinga Receives Newcombe Fellowship
Kalonji Nzinga, a doctoral candidate in learning sciences at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy, has received a 2017 Charlotte W. Newcombe Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship to support his work exploring the educational power of hip-hop.
Conference Highlights the Power of Social Relationships
The social connections we create throughout life can impact everything from self-esteem and learning to inequality and teacher performance, researchers said during Northwestern University’s international “Social Relationships Across the Life Span” conference.
SESP Hosts Conference on Social Relationships
Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) is hosting an international two-day conference on the role of social relationships in homes, schools, online communities, organizations, inequality and more as part of its Global Initiative Conference series.
Hasseler: SESP Experience 'Transformed My Life'
As president of Muskingum University, Susan Schneider Hasseler routinely draws on some of the life-changing experiences she had while pursuing her doctorate at Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy (SESP).
Rapp Discusses Role as Journal Editor
As editor-in-chief of the journal Discourse Processes, Northwestern University psychologist and learning scientist David Rapp works to offer readers “critically reviewed, contemporary research that pushes the boundaries of our understandings,” according to a recent interview.
Why Deliberative Democracy Makes Better Citizens
To create policies that reflect “the will of the people,” schools need to begin teaching how to engage in public deliberation, Northwestern University professor Matt Easterday wrote in “Why Deliberative Democracy Makes Better Citizens.”
Dancing Queen: Dionne Champion
Champion, a doctoral candidate in learning sciences in the School of Education and Social Policy, is exploring the use of movement as a communication tool and how that reshapes cognition. She was profiled in the recent Northwestern Magazine.
MPES Conference Explores Partnerships
Researchers who truly want to change lives must understand the people involved in their lines of inquiry, including principals, teachers, students, and parents, Northwestern University Professor David Figlio said during the recent Multidisciplinary Program in Education Sciences (MPES) Conference in Annenberg Hall.
SESP Alumnus Named Professor of the Year
Northwestern University alumnus Barry Fishman (PhD96), one of the first graduates of the pioneering learning sciences doctoral program, was recently named the Michigan Association of State Universities 2017 Professor of the Year, which recognizes outstanding faculty from Michigan’s 15 public universities.
Northwestern Hosts Free Screening of ‘Beyond Measure’
A free public screening of Beyond Measure, a documentary that looks at schools on the cutting edge of education reform, will be held April 19 at Northwestern University.
Students Showcase Innovative Tech Learning Projects
Inspired by her love for Pokémon Go, Northwestern University graduate student Amalia Donovan designed and created an educational tool to help middle school gamers level up through the use of statistics.
Worsley Explores the Origin of Ideas
Inside MakerSpaces and FabLabs, students often try to solve open-ended engineering design challenges using a range of both new and familiar materials. Where do their ideas come from?
Vossoughi Receives Grant to Study Equity and Tinkering
Northwestern University Professor Shirin Vossoughi received a $218,000 grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to continue her groundbreaking work looking at culture, equity and learning in after-school tinkering programs.
Why America Needs Teacher-Designers
To improve education, Americans should focus on continuously improving teaching by adopting the same techniques used in Japan, Northwestern University Professor Matt Easterday argued in a recent essay in The Hill.
Learning Scientists Partner with Bennett Day School
What happens when inventive children work side-by-side with university students on a design problem?
Professor Dan McAdams to Speak at SESP Graduate Event
Northwestern University Professor Dan P. McAdams, Director of the Foley Center for the Study of Lives, will present a talk titled “Authoring a Life: Narrative, Identity, Redemption, and Donald Trump,” for the inaugural SESP graduate programs gathering from 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 12 in room GO2 at Annenberg Hall. Food from Pita Inn will be served.
Coburn Receives Grant to Study Educational Gap
Northwestern University Professor Cynthia Coburn has received one-year, $70,000 grant to study how schools are creating stronger and more seamless connections between preschool and elementary school.
Learning Scientists Bring Computer Coding Basics to Museums
An interactive tabletop experience that teaches the basics of computer coding is under development in collaboration with Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry as part of a national effort to bring computing out of the classroom and into informal learning spaces.
When Fiction Becomes Fact
David Rapp's research on misinformation offers important insights into why we tend to rely on misinformation, according to an article in Teaching Current Directions in Psychological Science, an APS blog aimed at integrating cutting edge research into the classroom.
David Uttal: Pokemon Go Might Not Slow Summer Slide But Has Other Powers
The 74 reports that SESP professor David Uttal is skeptical that Pokemon Go can counter the summer slide in academics, but he says it does provide opportunities for learning.
Hedges Reappointed to Educational Advisory Team
President Barack Obama has reappointed Northwestern University faculty member Larry Hedges to the National Board for Education Sciences to continue serving as a key member of the educational advisory team.
Mike Horn Guides Innovators to Develop Coding App for Kids
Northwestern University's Michael Horn helped inspire "Strawbies," a coding game that uses physical blocks and an iPad to make coding more collaborative and creative. Horn, a professor of computer science and learning sciences, previously conducted research at the Boston Museum of Science that provided the basis for the game.
Why We Fall Prey to Misinformation
Even when we know better, our brains often rely on inaccurate or misleading information to make future decisions, according to new research by Northwestern University psychology professor David Rapp.
Next Generation Storylines Advance Science Teaching
The Next Generation Storyline Project, led by SESP professor Brian Reiser, is developing innovative units to provide teachers with curriculum materials as they adopt the Next Generation Science Standards.
Hechinger Report: Uri Wilensky Espouses Poetry for Academic Scientists
"There is an everyday pragmatic value for scientists in reading poetry," SESP professor Uri Wilensky and Yevgenia Kozorovitskiy write in a Hechinger Report opinion piece, contending that poetry helps to make writing precise.
Jeannette Colyvas to Collaborate on ‘Big Ideas’ Biomedicine Research
A “Big Ideas” grant from Northwestern’s Buffett Institute will enable SESP associate professor Jeannette Colyvas and her colleagues to create a research group in Global Medical Cultures and Law that will research “Biomedicine and Traditional Medicine across Cultures.”
Advanced Teaching Certificate Courses Attract Teachers This Summer
One-week courses this summer immerse teachers in leading-edge strategies for instructional coaching and next generation science teaching. Completing four courses in either sequence earns teachers a Certificate of Advanced Study in Education.
Study Finds School Leaders Widely Use Research
The largest survey yet of educational research use among school and district leaders finds positive attitudes toward the value of research and frequent use of research for decision-making. Focusing at the local level, this study is by the National Center for Research in Policy and Practice.
Mike Horn, Northwestern Alum Collaborate on Newly Released Game
When Felix Hu was a student at Northwestern, he worked with SESP assistant professor Michael Horn on an educational game to teach young children computer programming. The game, called Coding, was just released as a commercial product.
New York Times Quotes Liz Gerber on Crowdsourcing
Research shows the best ideas come from outside a company, associate professor Liz Gerber told the New York Times, but crowdsourcing gives companies a toolbox for testing new products and developing customer loyalty.
KQED Features Shirin Vossoughi's Work on Equity in Makerspaces
“We feel there’s not enough of a focus on pedagogy,” said SESP assistant professor Shirin Vossoughi, who says just because kids don’t learn from overly didactic experiences doesn’t mean adults should be completely hands off.
Jim Spillane Comments on Common Core Controversies
Professor James Spillane is the co-author of the book Challenging Standards, which helps education leaders navigate controversy as they implement testing standards in schools.
Sandra Waxman in Scientific American: Cultural Differences in Autism Diagnoses
Behaviors that are considered red flags in the U.S. and Western Europe are considered normal, even desirable, in other parts of the world, according to professor Sandra Waxman and her blog co-authors.
Jim Spillane Appointed to Advisory Board for National Science Foundation
SESP professor James Spillane was appointed to the advisory board for the National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Education and Human Resources.
Carol Lee Named to American Academy of Arts and Sciences
SESP professor Carol Lee was elected to membership in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the nation's oldest and most prestigious honorary societies and independent policy research centers.
Grant Foundation Features Cynthia Coburn's Findings on 'Conceptual Use of Research'
Conceptual use of research, such as district leaders reading and discussing a book based on research about school improvement, influences policy actions and problem solving decisions across the school system, according to professor Cynthia Coburn and Caitlin Farrell.
Shanker Institute Highlights Jim Spillane's Work on Leveraging Education's 'Social Dimension'
In a new collection called "The Social Side of Education," the Shanker Institute features professor James Spillane's writing on "Broadening the Educational Capability Conversation: Leveraging the Social Dimension."
Uri Wilensky: 'Most Hated People in U.S. May Not Be Who You Think'
Professor Uri Wilensky writes in Huffington Post that Jewish people are three times more likely to be the victim of a hate crime than any other group. "We can change the climate so that anti-Semitic vandalism, slurs and attacks are no longer acceptable," he says.
Liz Gerber in Huffington Post: How Does Language Influence Who Innovates?
"Learn early, learn often" and "Experiment every day" are two phrases that associate professor Elizabeth Gerber advocates in a Huffington Post blog about language to inspire diverse innovators.
How Early Is Infants' Attention Affected by Culture?
By age two, infants’ attention to objects and events may be shaped by their culture, according to new cross-cultural research by professor Sandra Waxman, comparing infants in the U.S and China.
Uri Wilensky in Conversation: 'Add Computing to Every School Subject'
To meet students' needs for computational skills, professor Uri Wilensky urges incorporating computing into every school subject in K-12 education.
Carol Lee Named to National Academy of Education Board of Directors
School of Education and Social Policy professor Carol Lee was recently named to the board of directors of the National Academy of Education, a prestigious organization limited to 200 U.S. members.
Melissa Luna (PhD13) Receives CAREER Award for Science Learning Research
Learning Sciences alumna Melissa Luna (PhD13) received a prestigious CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to study teachers’ noticing of students’ thinking about science. Luna is an assistant professor in the College of Education and Human Services at West Virginia University.
Carol Lee Named to National Academy of Education Board of Directors
School of Education and Social Policy professor Carol Lee was recently named to the board of directors of the National Academy of Education, a prestigious organization limited to 200 U.S. members.
On NPR Brian Reiser Tells about Developing Science Standards
"What we know is the facts need to be built on a strong foundation, and you build this foundation of explanatory ideas, not by just learning them, but by learning them in the context of trying to make sense or solve problems in the world around us," SESP professor Brian Reiser, one of the developers of the Next Generation Science Standards, told PBS station WCAI.
Education Week Recognizes New Education Research Center Co-Led by Cynthia Coburn, Jim Spillane
Education Week notes that the Institute of Education Sciences has launched the five-year, $5 million National Center for Research in Policy and Practice, co-led by SESP professors Cynthia Coburn and Jim Spillane, "to study how research works its way into instructional decisions and education policies."
Jolie Matthews Explores History Learning in Online Fan Forums
Digital learning expert and SESP assistant professor Jolie Matthews examines how people talk about history in online fan communities.
Jim Spillane, David Figlio, Carol Lee, Kirabo Jackson Named to Edu-Scholar Top 200
School of Education and Social Policy professors James Spillane, David Figlio, Carol Lee and Kirabo Jackson were named to the Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings for 2016.
Megan Bang Elected to National Academy Board
School of Education and Social Policy faculty member Megan Bang was elected to the National Academy of Education’s Board of Directors. Her four-year term begins Nov. 3, 2023.
Winchester Continues Aspen Youth Leadership Work
Corey Winchester (BS10, MS20) was named a Graduate Fellow in Residence for the Aspen Young Leaders Fellowship (AYLF) program to continue his work creating learning environments that foster connection, compassion, freedom dreaming, and a sense of belonging.
Faculty Member Wins Tools Competition
Northwestern University education researcher David Uttal and colleagues received a $100,000 award in the annual Tools Competition to develop an interactive platform that helps students and teachers learn spatial and math skills by using intricate and familiar patterns found in the natural world.
Revolutionary Civics: How Should Evanston Spend $3 Million?
The residents of Evanston, Ill. have no shortage of ideas about how to spend a tidy $3 million sum in federal COVID-19 relief funds. Protected bike lanes? Affordable housing? What about revitalizing the downtown area, improving mental health services, or fixing sidewalks?
STEAMbassadors: ‘Part of Something Bigger’
As a summer STEAMbassador, Patricia Richards was trained to teach children how to code. Ultimately, she improved her own technical skills, but what she loved most was watching the youngsters break into smiles after mastering something new.
Defining Childhood in the Age of Tech
Researchers explored the meaning of childhood in a tech-infused world during the Association for Computer Machinery’s annual Interaction Design and Children (IDC) Conference at Northwestern University.
‘Is a PhD for Me?'
Most people have heard the term ‘PhD,’ and they know that getting one is an outstanding accomplishment. But few picture themselves on this journey.
Outstanding Graduate Students Honored
Chris Cvikota, a technical specialist at Northwestern University who earned his master’s in higher education administration and policy, received the Outstanding Leadership Awards from the Northwestern Alumni Association.
Rapp's Lab Combats Misinformation
Professor David Rapp and his students hold down an especially lively corner of psychology, one that requires them to mix it up with scholars, scientists, and journalists on a regular basis, Delia O’Hara wrote in a story for the American Psychological Association.
These Five Faculty Members Earned Promotions
Five SESP faculty members with wide-ranging research interests were promoted for their outstanding scholarship and contributions to the field.
Shedding Light on Hidden Histories
Danny M. Cohen (PhD11) received a Provost Grant for Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts to expand his work helping teachers and students explore hidden histories of the Holocaust.
Off You Go: A Routine for Culturally Responsive Math
A visually rich mathematical routine for teachers leverages a child’s background and helps students build bridges between school math and culture, according to an article co-authored by assistant professor Jen Munson.
Pinkard Appointed Alice Hamilton Professor
School of Education and Social Policy alumna Nichole Pinkard (PhD98), a leading thinker on the design of educational ecosystems, was appointed the inaugural Alice Hamilton Professor of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy.
Mike Horn Promoted to Full Professor
Michael Horn, whose research has modernized museums and introduced musical approaches to coding, has been promoted to full professor at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy.
SESP Students, Alumni Win Spencer Fellowships
Northwestern University’s Jessica Marshall, a doctoral student in the learning sciences program, and two School of Education and Social Policy alumni were among the 35 scholars who received 2022 National Academy of Education/Spencer Dissertation Fellowships.
Kelter Wins Presidential Fellowship
Jacob Kelter, who studies how the power of computer modeling and simulations can help solve some of society’s most complex problems, received the prestigious Presidential Fellowship at Northwestern University.
Lifelong Learners Earn Doctorates
Eight Northwestern University graduate students recently reached the pinnacle of education, earning doctoral degrees in three of the School of Education and Social Policy's pioneering programs: Learning Sciences, Human Development and Social Policy, and Computer Science and Learning Sciences (CS + LS), a joint degree with the McCormick School of Engineering.
The Future of Music: Making Beats With Code
A new book by Northwestern University professor Mike Horn offers a powerful new way to create music that can be linked with digital production tools of the future.
The Future of Music: Making Beats With Code
A new book by Northwestern University professor Mike Horn offers a powerful new way to create music that can be linked with digital production tools of the future.
Spillane Honored for Mentoring Young Scholars
James Spillane received the 2022 Spencer Foundation Mentor Award for his generous, wise, and decades-long support of the next generation of scholars.
Halverson: Using the Arts to Fix a Broken System
Alumna Erica Halverson’s new book “How the Arts Can Save Education” is, strangely enough, not about arts education. Instead, Halverson uses arts practices to fundamentally rethink how “learning” should be measured and to design learning environments and experiences that can serve all kids.
Vossoughi Named One of Northwestern's Best Teachers
Shirin Vossoughi was honored with a Northwestern University Teaching Award for bringing justice-oriented, intergenerational, and collaborative teaching to a new level and for championing the “half-baked idea.”
Faculty Contribute to New IES Report on Future of Ed Research
The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) should change its structures and policies to better meet changing priorities in education – including improving equity and the usefulness of research, according to a new report whose authors include several Northwestern University faculty members.
Pioneering Psychologist Dan P. McAdams Named Interim SESP Dean
Dan P. McAdams, one of the nation's foremost researchers in the field of narrative psychology, has been named interim dean of Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy.
Lam Honored for Immigration Research
School of Education and Social Policy Professor Eva Lam and her coauthors received the Alan C. Purves Award from the National Council of Teachers of English for their research looking at what happens when young people tell their own immigration stories through documentary filmmaking.
Researchers Tackle Inequity in STEM Education
Four School of Education and Social Policy researchers and alums will help address systemic inequities in PreK-12 STEM education as part of an esteemed National Academies’ committee.
Graduate Students Win Spencer Dissertation Fellowships
Graduate students Nikki McDaid and Sebastián Kiguel have received highly competitive NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowships to support their research and career development.
Meet SESP's Newest PhD's
Sixteen Northwestern University graduate students earned doctoral degrees in three of the School of Education and Social Policy's pioneering programs: Learning Sciences, Human Development and Social Policy, and Computer Science and Learning Sciences (CS + LS), a joint degree with the McCormick School of Engineering.
Learning from Classroom Video: How Can it Help Teachers?
Northwestern University professors Jen Richards and Miriam Sherin are co-principal investigators on a $700,000 collaborative National Science Foundation Grant that explores how teachers learn from watching video clips of their classroom.
SESP Launches New Research-Practice Partnership with $5.8-Million Grant
Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) received a $5.8-million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support an innovative partnership that links University researchers and Curriculum Associates, a leading provider of digital assessment and instructional materials, with several school districts.
The Process is Messy. And That's OK.
Jada Levi’s senior honors math class at Evanston Township High School (ETHS) was one of the most unusual courses she had ever taken. And not just because the assignments seemed unrelated to algebra, AP calculus or statistics.
Two Faculty Members Honored for Education Research
Professors Carol D. Lee and Megan Bang were honored by the American Educational Research Association (AERA) for their cutting-edge education research, scholarship, and service to the field.
Brian Reiser named AERA Fellow
Northwestern University’s Brian Reiser, professor of learning sciences at the School of Education and Social Policy, has been named a 2021 American Educational Research Association (AERA) Fellow for distinguished and sustained work in science education.
‘Inclusive Making’ Helps Students Design for People with Disabilities
A college design course that takes a critical look at the field of ‘making” and includes partnerships between students and people with disabilities can promote accessibility in computing, according to new Northwestern University research.
FUSE Studios Expands to Southern California
Students in underserved elementary schools in Southern California will have access to Northwestern University’s FUSE Studios program this fall, thanks in part to a $150,000 grant from the Mazda Foundation.
Spikes Discusses Illinois New Media Literacy Bill
Northwestern University learning sciences doctoral candidate Michael A. Spikes stressed the importance of teaching media literacy in light of a new bill that would require Illinois high schools to incorporate media literacy education into existing curricula that targets understanding and evaluating news and social media.
These Two Rising Stars Won Early CAREER Awards
Northwestern University’s Eleanor O’Rourke and Marcelo Worsley received the prestigious Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for projects designed to strengthen and diversify the field of computer science.
Brayboy Challenges SESP to Reimagine Education for Indigenous Students
Scholars have an important opportunity and responsibility to help transform schools into a system that supports Indigenous students, Arizona State University (ASU) professor Bryan McKinley Jones Brayboy (Lumbee) said during the latest installment of the School of Education and Social Policy Equity Book Club.
These Two Rising Stars Won Early CAREER Awards
Northwestern University’s Eleanor O’Rourke and Marcelo Worsley received the prestigious Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for projects designed to strengthen and diversify the field of computer science.
Experts: New Resource Can Fight COVID-19 Misinformation
Professor David Rapp was among more than two dozen expert scientists from around the world who contributed to a new user-friendly handbook designed to help fight the spread of misinformation about the coronavirus vaccines.
Marginalized Students’ Backgrounds a Strength, Researchers Say
Rather than “fixing” students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, colleges and universities should view their experiences as assets and a source of strength, according to two new publications by SESP researchers.
Vakil Receives Spencer Grant to Study Engineering Students, Islamic Revolution
Northwestern University’s Sepehr Vakil received a $346,000 Spencer Foundation large research grant to study how the cultural, religious, and political context of late 20th century Iran shaped a premiere engineering university in the years leading up to the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Three Faculty Members Join National Academy of Education
Northwestern University Professors Megan Bang, Jonathan Guryan, and Brian Reiser were among 22 exceptional scholars elected to the prestigious National Academy of Education (NAEd) for their stellar contributions to education scholarship and research.
Adult vs. Child-Centered Learning: Why We Need Another Path
Teachers often act as hands-off facilitators in makerspace settings, letting children lead the way. But what happens when they step back too far?
‘Inclusive Making’ Helps Students Design for People with Disabilities
A college design course that takes a critical look at the field of ‘making” and includes partnerships between students and people with disabilities can promote accessibility in computing, according to new Northwestern University research.
Adult vs. Child-Centered Learning: Why We Need Another Path
Teachers often act as hands-off facilitators in makerspace settings, letting children lead the way. But what happens when they step back too far?
‘Inclusive Making’ Helps Students Design for People with Disabilities
A college design course that takes a critical look at the field of ‘making” and includes partnerships between students and people with disabilities can promote accessibility in computing, according to new Northwestern University research.
Vakil Receives Spencer Grant to Study Engineering Students, Islamic Revolution
Northwestern University’s Sepehr Vakil received a $346,000 Spencer Foundation large research grant to study how the cultural, religious, and political context of late 20th century Iran shaped a premiere engineering university in the years leading up to the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Three Faculty Members Join National Academy of Education
Northwestern University Professors Megan Bang, Jonathan Guryan, and Brian Reiser were among 22 exceptional scholars elected to the prestigious National Academy of Education (NAEd) for their stellar contributions to education scholarship and research.
Grad Student Develops New Courses for Gender and Sexuality Studies
School of Education and Social Policy graduate student Addie Shrodes will be teaching two courses she designed for Northwestern University’s Gender and Sexuality Studies (GSS) program, Everyday Resistance and Reimagination and Queer and Trans Technology, Play, and Protest.
Learning Sciences Graduate Student Receives CASEL Fellowship
Jessica Marshall, a graduate student in the learning sciences doctoral program, received a two-year pre-doctoral research fellowship with the Collaborative for Academic Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) to further her work creating more equitable civic learning environments across civic education.
SESP Facilitates Donation of Learning Games
SESP helped facilitate the donation of approximately 8,500 Osmo sampler kits to children and educators in Evanston and Chicago, including Evanston/Skokie School District 65, Chicago Public Schools (CPS), and community organizations.
SESP in the Media: December 2020
An ongoing, monthly roundup of appearances in the news media by School of Education and Social Policy faculty, researchers, and our community.
SESP Professor Named Co-Chair of Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission
Northwestern University’s Danny M. Cohen (PhD11) has been appointed co-chair of the Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission, a 17-member team of scholars, educators, and practitioners focused on Holocaust, genocide, and social justice education, and commemoration.
Spikes Helps Craft Adult Media Literacy Guide
Learning Sciences doctoral student Michael Spikes served as a national advisor for the American Library Association’s new initiative to help library staffers respond to misinformation and other media literacy issues.
Computer Science + Learning Sciences Doctoral Program Welcomes New Cohort
Maddie Brucker, Ayse Hunt, and Michael Smith have joined the School of Education and Social Policy’s Joint PhD Program in Computer Science and Learning Sciences.
Carol Lee Elected President of the National Academy of Education
Professor emeritus Carol D. Lee, the former Edwina S. Tarry Professor of Education, has been named president elect of the National Academy of Education.
O'Rourke Develops Cyberlearning Technology
Northwestern University professors Eleanor O’Rourke and Haoqi Zhang have received a $750,000 National Science Foundation Cyberlearning grant to help beginning computer science students develop better learning strategies and diversify the field.
Coburn Named to William T. Grant Selection Committee
Cynthia Coburn was named to the William T. Grant Scholars Selection Committee, a dedicated group of academics who help younger colleagues with career development, mentoring, and pursuing new research challenges.
Vakil's Award Supports Ethics in Computing Course
SESP's Sepehr Vakil and Sarah Van Wart of the McCormick School of Engineering are developing a new ethics in computing class for undergraduate computer science majors with support from a Curriculum Innovation award from The Alumnae of Northwestern University.
Student Films Explore Race, Power, and Technology
Three timely documentary films examining the impact of new policing and surveillance technologies on communities in Chicago and Evanston will premiere online in a special event organized by Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) and the Block Museum of Art.
News Literacy in an Era of Fake News
People are influenced by inaccurate information even when they know better -- and even when they’re warned, professor David Rapp said during a recent webinar on news media literacy.
Rising Scholars Receive NAEd/Spencer Fellowships and Awards
Five early career researchers – including doctoral students Julissa Muñiz and Cora Wigger – were among the winners of the prestigious 2020 National Academy of Education (NAEd)/Spencer Postdoctoral and Dissertation Fellowships Awards.
OpenSciEd Releases Free Science Teaching Materials
OpenSciEd is a collaborative effort to develop free, high-quality classroom materials for teachers nationwide. Co-created by Northwestern University’s Brian Reiser and his team of learning scientists, the free and downloadable units are aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and lay the groundwork for the future of science education.
Coburn Receives Honorary Doctorate
SESP's Cynthia Coburn received an honorary doctorate from Universite Catholique de Louvain (CU Louvain) for her research uncovering the complicated factors and relationships that affect how educational policy is implemented in urban school systems.
Coburn, Jackson Elected to National Academy of Education
Cynthia Coburn and economist Kirabo Jackson were among fifteen exceptional scholars elected to the esteemed National Academy of Education (NAEd) in recognition of their outstanding contributions to education research. Northwestern was the only institution to have two inductees this year
Vossoughi Wins Ver Steeg Award
Northwestern University’s Shirin Vossoughi, assistant professor of learning sciences, has received The Graduate School’s 2019–20 Ver Steeg award for her outstanding work supporting and mentoring graduate students.
CT-STEM Helps Teachers Reimagine Curriculum
Real scientists generally don’t collect data by hand and crunch numbers using a calculator. So when Teresa Granito teaches biology at Evanston Township High School in the fall, she’ll introduce her students to some of the same computer modeling tools used by the pros.
First Computer Science-Learning Sciences Symposium Draws World's Top Scholars
Computer science classes and boot camps have never been more popular in the US and worldwide. But how can educators help the next generation use this technology to their advantage? And how can that information reach everyone – not just those drawn to the traditional notions of computer science?
Computer Scientists and Learning Scientists Join Forces
Computer science classes and boot camps have never been more popular. But how can we help the next generation of students feel empowered by this technology? And how can that education reach everyone – not just those who are drawn to the traditional notions of computer science?
Why You Don’t Want to Leave School During a Recession
The bad luck of leaving school during hard economic times can lead to higher rates of early death and permanent differences in life circumstances, Northwestern University’s Hannes Schwandt wrote in a policy brief.
Spillane Coaches Education Leaders in Asia
Professor James Spillane delivered a keynote speech on school leadership and led a related workshop during the recent Global Education Leadership Summit in Bangkok.
Northwestern Hosts First Computer Science and Learning Sciences Symposium
Distinguished leaders and rising stars in computer science and learning sciences will explore the challenges and opportunities facing the field of education during the first annual symposium on computing and learning April 28- 30 at Northwestern University.
SESP Heads to Toronto for AERA
SESP faculty, alumni, postdocs and graduate students will be presenting at the 2019 American Educational Research Association (AERA) annual meeting April 5 through April 9, the world’s largest gathering of education researchers.
Vakil: Equity is More Than Inclusion
Computer science educators should think more deeply about the ethical, political, and social justice consequences of their work, Northwestern University’s Sepehr Vakil wrote in a commentary published in the March issue of the magazine Communications of the Association for Computer Machinery.
Wilensky, Horn Awarded NSF Grant for Computational Thinking Research
Northwestern University professors Uri Wilensky and Mike Horn have received a $2.6 million National Science Foundation grant to help students improve their computational thinking skills in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and to explore how a computer-oriented approach to problem-solving impacts science education.
Why You Can’t 'Just Ignore' Fake News
Even if you know the information you’re getting is false, fictitious, or misleading, simply being exposed to it can have clear consequences, according to a review of recent studies by Northwestern University researchers.
Wilensky Named Lorraine Morton Professor
Northwestern University’s Uri Wilensky, a pioneer in learning technology and computational modeling, has been named the Lorraine Morton Professor of Learning Sciences and Computer Science, David Figlio, Dean of the School of Education and Social Policy (SESP), announced.
Five SESP Faculty Named to Edu-Scholar List
Five School of Education and Social Policy scholars were named to Education Week’s “Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings,” which recognize 200 of the most influential academics in education policy.
David Rapp: Why Debunking Doesn't Work
"The story of Bush’s reaction at the checkout scanner follows a narrative sequence of events that seem plausible and is simple to follow: Rich guy doesn’t buy his own groceries, rich guy has never seen a grocery checkout," writes David Rapp in the Washington Post.
Why You Can’t 'Just Ignore' Fake News
Even if you know the information you’re getting is false, fictitious, or misleading, simply being exposed to it can have clear consequences, according to a review of recent studies by Northwestern University researchers.
Bang, Vossoughi Win Alumnae Award
Megan Bang and Shirin Vossoughi have been named the 2019 recipients of The Alumnae of Northwestern University’s Award for Curriculum Development.
Worsley Recognized for Diversity, Inclusion Efforts
Marcelo Worsley will receive the 2019 Daniel Linzer Award for Faculty Excellence in Diversity and Equity for his innovative teaching and efforts to bring STEM education to all, regardless of physical ability.
SESP Heads to AERA 2018
More than three dozen Northwestern University faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and students from the School of Education and Social Policy are scheduled to participate in the 2018 annual American Educational Research Association (AERA) annual meeting in New York City.
Spillane Addresses Principals in Hong Kong and Hangzhou
James Spillane, an expert on school leadership and educational policy at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy, conducted a workshop on educational infrastructure design and delivered two keynote speeches for hundreds of principals and administrators during a recent spring trip to Hong Kong and Hangzhou.
Fuse Grant Recipient Launches Program in Peoria
Failure is an opportunity in Greg Gilson’s first-hour class, the FUSE studio at Manual Academy, said Pam Adams in the Peoria Journal Star. “There are no assignments, no classroom lectures, no traditional grades.”
Vossoughi, Pinkard Win Diversity Grants
School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) learning scientists Shirin Vossoughi and Nichole Pinkard have received 2017-18 Daniel I. Linzer Grants for Innovation in Diversity and Equity from the Northwestern University Office of the Provost
Reiser Receives $2.5 Million McDonnell Foundation Grant
Brian Reiser, professor of learning sciences, has received a five-year, $2.5 million grant from the James S. McDonnell Foundation to study how to best support science teachers as they integrate new practices into the classroom.
FUSE Challenges Evanston Sixth Graders
Sixth graders in Evanston/Skokie School District 65 are participating in Northwestern University’s FUSE program, a buffet of nearly 30 hands-on, computer-based challenges in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM).
Teatro Collective Blends 'Reflection, Art and Leadership'
The Teatro Collective, a group of Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social (SESP) policy graduate students, recently performed for -- and with -- Chicago–area educators who work with teens at the Chicago Public Library's Teen Services Conference.
Pinkard Featured During Computer Science Week
Northwestern University’s Nichole Pinkard (PhD98), one of the first learning scientists in the nation, was highlighted in a National Science Foundation (NSF) computer science campaign for empowering middle school girls in the STEM fields.
Nzinga Receives Newcombe Fellowship
Kalonji Nzinga, a doctoral candidate in learning sciences at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy, has received a 2017 Charlotte W. Newcombe Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship to support his work exploring the educational power of hip-hop.
Conference Highlights the Power of Social Relationships
The social connections we create throughout life can impact everything from self-esteem and learning to inequality and teacher performance, researchers said during Northwestern University’s international “Social Relationships Across the Life Span” conference.
SESP Hosts Conference on Social Relationships
Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) is hosting an international two-day conference on the role of social relationships in homes, schools, online communities, organizations, inequality and more as part of its Global Initiative Conference series.
Hasseler: SESP Experience 'Transformed My Life'
As president of Muskingum University, Susan Schneider Hasseler routinely draws on some of the life-changing experiences she had while pursuing her doctorate at Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy (SESP).
Rapp Discusses Role as Journal Editor
As editor-in-chief of the journal Discourse Processes, Northwestern University psychologist and learning scientist David Rapp works to offer readers “critically reviewed, contemporary research that pushes the boundaries of our understandings,” according to a recent interview.
Why Deliberative Democracy Makes Better Citizens
To create policies that reflect “the will of the people,” schools need to begin teaching how to engage in public deliberation, Northwestern University professor Matt Easterday wrote in “Why Deliberative Democracy Makes Better Citizens.”
Dancing Queen: Dionne Champion
Champion, a doctoral candidate in learning sciences in the School of Education and Social Policy, is exploring the use of movement as a communication tool and how that reshapes cognition. She was profiled in the recent Northwestern Magazine.
MPES Conference Explores Partnerships
Researchers who truly want to change lives must understand the people involved in their lines of inquiry, including principals, teachers, students, and parents, Northwestern University Professor David Figlio said during the recent Multidisciplinary Program in Education Sciences (MPES) Conference in Annenberg Hall.
SESP Alumnus Named Professor of the Year
Northwestern University alumnus Barry Fishman (PhD96), one of the first graduates of the pioneering learning sciences doctoral program, was recently named the Michigan Association of State Universities 2017 Professor of the Year, which recognizes outstanding faculty from Michigan’s 15 public universities.
Northwestern Hosts Free Screening of ‘Beyond Measure’
A free public screening of Beyond Measure, a documentary that looks at schools on the cutting edge of education reform, will be held April 19 at Northwestern University.
Students Showcase Innovative Tech Learning Projects
Inspired by her love for Pokémon Go, Northwestern University graduate student Amalia Donovan designed and created an educational tool to help middle school gamers level up through the use of statistics.
Worsley Explores the Origin of Ideas
Inside MakerSpaces and FabLabs, students often try to solve open-ended engineering design challenges using a range of both new and familiar materials. Where do their ideas come from?
Vossoughi Receives Grant to Study Equity and Tinkering
Northwestern University Professor Shirin Vossoughi received a $218,000 grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to continue her groundbreaking work looking at culture, equity and learning in after-school tinkering programs.
Why America Needs Teacher-Designers
To improve education, Americans should focus on continuously improving teaching by adopting the same techniques used in Japan, Northwestern University Professor Matt Easterday argued in a recent essay in The Hill.
Learning Scientists Partner with Bennett Day School
What happens when inventive children work side-by-side with university students on a design problem?
Professor Dan McAdams to Speak at SESP Graduate Event
Northwestern University Professor Dan P. McAdams, Director of the Foley Center for the Study of Lives, will present a talk titled “Authoring a Life: Narrative, Identity, Redemption, and Donald Trump,” for the inaugural SESP graduate programs gathering from 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 12 in room GO2 at Annenberg Hall. Food from Pita Inn will be served.
Coburn Receives Grant to Study Educational Gap
Northwestern University Professor Cynthia Coburn has received one-year, $70,000 grant to study how schools are creating stronger and more seamless connections between preschool and elementary school.
Learning Scientists Bring Computer Coding Basics to Museums
An interactive tabletop experience that teaches the basics of computer coding is under development in collaboration with Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry as part of a national effort to bring computing out of the classroom and into informal learning spaces.
When Fiction Becomes Fact
David Rapp's research on misinformation offers important insights into why we tend to rely on misinformation, according to an article in Teaching Current Directions in Psychological Science, an APS blog aimed at integrating cutting edge research into the classroom.
David Uttal: Pokemon Go Might Not Slow Summer Slide But Has Other Powers
The 74 reports that SESP professor David Uttal is skeptical that Pokemon Go can counter the summer slide in academics, but he says it does provide opportunities for learning.
Hedges Reappointed to Educational Advisory Team
President Barack Obama has reappointed Northwestern University faculty member Larry Hedges to the National Board for Education Sciences to continue serving as a key member of the educational advisory team.
Mike Horn Guides Innovators to Develop Coding App for Kids
Northwestern University's Michael Horn helped inspire "Strawbies," a coding game that uses physical blocks and an iPad to make coding more collaborative and creative. Horn, a professor of computer science and learning sciences, previously conducted research at the Boston Museum of Science that provided the basis for the game.
Why We Fall Prey to Misinformation
Even when we know better, our brains often rely on inaccurate or misleading information to make future decisions, according to new research by Northwestern University psychology professor David Rapp.
Next Generation Storylines Advance Science Teaching
The Next Generation Storyline Project, led by SESP professor Brian Reiser, is developing innovative units to provide teachers with curriculum materials as they adopt the Next Generation Science Standards.
Hechinger Report: Uri Wilensky Espouses Poetry for Academic Scientists
"There is an everyday pragmatic value for scientists in reading poetry," SESP professor Uri Wilensky and Yevgenia Kozorovitskiy write in a Hechinger Report opinion piece, contending that poetry helps to make writing precise.
Jeannette Colyvas to Collaborate on ‘Big Ideas’ Biomedicine Research
A “Big Ideas” grant from Northwestern’s Buffett Institute will enable SESP associate professor Jeannette Colyvas and her colleagues to create a research group in Global Medical Cultures and Law that will research “Biomedicine and Traditional Medicine across Cultures.”
Advanced Teaching Certificate Courses Attract Teachers This Summer
One-week courses this summer immerse teachers in leading-edge strategies for instructional coaching and next generation science teaching. Completing four courses in either sequence earns teachers a Certificate of Advanced Study in Education.
Study Finds School Leaders Widely Use Research
The largest survey yet of educational research use among school and district leaders finds positive attitudes toward the value of research and frequent use of research for decision-making. Focusing at the local level, this study is by the National Center for Research in Policy and Practice.
Mike Horn, Northwestern Alum Collaborate on Newly Released Game
When Felix Hu was a student at Northwestern, he worked with SESP assistant professor Michael Horn on an educational game to teach young children computer programming. The game, called Coding, was just released as a commercial product.
New York Times Quotes Liz Gerber on Crowdsourcing
Research shows the best ideas come from outside a company, associate professor Liz Gerber told the New York Times, but crowdsourcing gives companies a toolbox for testing new products and developing customer loyalty.
KQED Features Shirin Vossoughi's Work on Equity in Makerspaces
“We feel there’s not enough of a focus on pedagogy,” said SESP assistant professor Shirin Vossoughi, who says just because kids don’t learn from overly didactic experiences doesn’t mean adults should be completely hands off.
Jim Spillane Comments on Common Core Controversies
Professor James Spillane is the co-author of the book Challenging Standards, which helps education leaders navigate controversy as they implement testing standards in schools.
Sandra Waxman in Scientific American: Cultural Differences in Autism Diagnoses
Behaviors that are considered red flags in the U.S. and Western Europe are considered normal, even desirable, in other parts of the world, according to professor Sandra Waxman and her blog co-authors.
Jim Spillane Appointed to Advisory Board for National Science Foundation
SESP professor James Spillane was appointed to the advisory board for the National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Education and Human Resources.
Carol Lee Named to American Academy of Arts and Sciences
SESP professor Carol Lee was elected to membership in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the nation's oldest and most prestigious honorary societies and independent policy research centers.
Grant Foundation Features Cynthia Coburn's Findings on 'Conceptual Use of Research'
Conceptual use of research, such as district leaders reading and discussing a book based on research about school improvement, influences policy actions and problem solving decisions across the school system, according to professor Cynthia Coburn and Caitlin Farrell.
Shanker Institute Highlights Jim Spillane's Work on Leveraging Education's 'Social Dimension'
In a new collection called "The Social Side of Education," the Shanker Institute features professor James Spillane's writing on "Broadening the Educational Capability Conversation: Leveraging the Social Dimension."
Uri Wilensky: 'Most Hated People in U.S. May Not Be Who You Think'
Professor Uri Wilensky writes in Huffington Post that Jewish people are three times more likely to be the victim of a hate crime than any other group. "We can change the climate so that anti-Semitic vandalism, slurs and attacks are no longer acceptable," he says.
Liz Gerber in Huffington Post: How Does Language Influence Who Innovates?
"Learn early, learn often" and "Experiment every day" are two phrases that associate professor Elizabeth Gerber advocates in a Huffington Post blog about language to inspire diverse innovators.
How Early Is Infants' Attention Affected by Culture?
By age two, infants’ attention to objects and events may be shaped by their culture, according to new cross-cultural research by professor Sandra Waxman, comparing infants in the U.S and China.
Uri Wilensky in Conversation: 'Add Computing to Every School Subject'
To meet students' needs for computational skills, professor Uri Wilensky urges incorporating computing into every school subject in K-12 education.
Carol Lee Named to National Academy of Education Board of Directors
School of Education and Social Policy professor Carol Lee was recently named to the board of directors of the National Academy of Education, a prestigious organization limited to 200 U.S. members.
Melissa Luna (PhD13) Receives CAREER Award for Science Learning Research
Learning Sciences alumna Melissa Luna (PhD13) received a prestigious CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to study teachers’ noticing of students’ thinking about science. Luna is an assistant professor in the College of Education and Human Services at West Virginia University.
Carol Lee Named to National Academy of Education Board of Directors
School of Education and Social Policy professor Carol Lee was recently named to the board of directors of the National Academy of Education, a prestigious organization limited to 200 U.S. members.
On NPR Brian Reiser Tells about Developing Science Standards
"What we know is the facts need to be built on a strong foundation, and you build this foundation of explanatory ideas, not by just learning them, but by learning them in the context of trying to make sense or solve problems in the world around us," SESP professor Brian Reiser, one of the developers of the Next Generation Science Standards, told PBS station WCAI.
Education Week Recognizes New Education Research Center Co-Led by Cynthia Coburn, Jim Spillane
Education Week notes that the Institute of Education Sciences has launched the five-year, $5 million National Center for Research in Policy and Practice, co-led by SESP professors Cynthia Coburn and Jim Spillane, "to study how research works its way into instructional decisions and education policies."
Jolie Matthews Explores History Learning in Online Fan Forums
Digital learning expert and SESP assistant professor Jolie Matthews examines how people talk about history in online fan communities.
Jim Spillane, David Figlio, Carol Lee, Kirabo Jackson Named to Edu-Scholar Top 200
School of Education and Social Policy professors James Spillane, David Figlio, Carol Lee and Kirabo Jackson were named to the Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings for 2016.