UOIT awarded $48,000 to evaluate web-based classrooms for the professional development of teachers
March 16, 2007
Research funding puts university at leading edge of technology used to equip teachers with advanced tools to improve their classroom teaching skills
OSHAWA, Ont. - The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) announced today that Dr. Roland van Oostveen, an assistant professor with the Faculty of Education, has been awarded a $48,000 Strategic Research Grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) in the category of Image, Text, Sound and Technology. The grant will be used to explore the nature and impact of web-based professional development learning environments (PDLEs) for teachers to better equip them for teaching in the 21st century.
"I am very pleased to receive such an impressive research grant from the SSHRC," said Dr. van Oostveen. "The research being conducted with the support of this grant will fuel innovative thinking about the real-life scenarios impacting today's teachers including new methods for providing effective access to professional development techniques both inside and outside of the classroom. There is a great alignment between UOIT's research mandate and the SSHRC's commitment to focus on research that centres on the development of better policies and practices in key areas of Canada's social, cultural and economic life."
Dr. van Oostveen's project entitled Exploration and Evaluation of Professional Development Learning Environments, will explore the potential of using online classrooms to facilitate professional development sessions for teachers. This is a departure from the typical in-class sessions where educators previously gathered to further their training and share best practices.
These web-based sessions, available for both pre-service and in-service teachers, would support multiple subject areas and incorporate video-based cases. In addition,
Dr. van Oostveen's research will explore the nature of online professional development; methods for facilitating online learning; the impact of video cases on teacher beliefs and practices; and the nature of action research, a cyclical method that can define targets, develop strategies and refine approaches, when applied in an online environment.
As an outcome, UOIT will be able to determine the most effective way of incorporating online learning into professional development strategies - further supporting teachers' efforts to improve on their instructional practices and ultimately enhancing student learning.
"Dr. van Oostveen's research into the use of web-based classrooms to facilitate the professional development of teachers has the potential to change the way Ontario's teachers further their day-to-day training," said Dr. Kamiel Gabriel, associate provost of Research at UOIT. "This innovative project again demonstrates UOIT's commitment to value-added research that directly benefits society and has the potential to lead to new research discoveries. In this case, the new techniques that will be examined during the course of this project could lead to improved and more cost-effective delivery methods of professional practices for educators. This is consistent with our research vision and mission."
The SSHRC is an independent federal government agency that funds university-based research and graduate training through national peer-review competitions. It also partners with public and private sector organizations to focus research on and aid in the development of better policies and practices in key areas of Canada's social, cultural and economic life. Created by an act of parliament in 1977, it is governed by a 22-member council that reports to parliament through the Minister of Industry.
About UOIT
As an innovative university, UOIT delivers a leading-edge learning environment that uniquely combines academic knowledge, research opportunities, hands-on skills and a vibrant student life. UOIT's 4,300 students are taught by professors who are experts in their fields from around the world. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, UOIT offers more than 30 challenging undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of Business and Information Technology, Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, and Sciences. UOIT's commitment to research excellence has resulted in millions of dollars in grants and awards, including several Canada Research Chairs. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 905.721.8668.
OSHAWA, Ont. - The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) announced today that Dr. Roland van Oostveen, an assistant professor with the Faculty of Education, has been awarded a $48,000 Strategic Research Grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) in the category of Image, Text, Sound and Technology. The grant will be used to explore the nature and impact of web-based professional development learning environments (PDLEs) for teachers to better equip them for teaching in the 21st century.
"I am very pleased to receive such an impressive research grant from the SSHRC," said Dr. van Oostveen. "The research being conducted with the support of this grant will fuel innovative thinking about the real-life scenarios impacting today's teachers including new methods for providing effective access to professional development techniques both inside and outside of the classroom. There is a great alignment between UOIT's research mandate and the SSHRC's commitment to focus on research that centres on the development of better policies and practices in key areas of Canada's social, cultural and economic life."
Dr. van Oostveen's project entitled Exploration and Evaluation of Professional Development Learning Environments, will explore the potential of using online classrooms to facilitate professional development sessions for teachers. This is a departure from the typical in-class sessions where educators previously gathered to further their training and share best practices.
These web-based sessions, available for both pre-service and in-service teachers, would support multiple subject areas and incorporate video-based cases. In addition,
Dr. van Oostveen's research will explore the nature of online professional development; methods for facilitating online learning; the impact of video cases on teacher beliefs and practices; and the nature of action research, a cyclical method that can define targets, develop strategies and refine approaches, when applied in an online environment.
As an outcome, UOIT will be able to determine the most effective way of incorporating online learning into professional development strategies - further supporting teachers' efforts to improve on their instructional practices and ultimately enhancing student learning.
"Dr. van Oostveen's research into the use of web-based classrooms to facilitate the professional development of teachers has the potential to change the way Ontario's teachers further their day-to-day training," said Dr. Kamiel Gabriel, associate provost of Research at UOIT. "This innovative project again demonstrates UOIT's commitment to value-added research that directly benefits society and has the potential to lead to new research discoveries. In this case, the new techniques that will be examined during the course of this project could lead to improved and more cost-effective delivery methods of professional practices for educators. This is consistent with our research vision and mission."
The SSHRC is an independent federal government agency that funds university-based research and graduate training through national peer-review competitions. It also partners with public and private sector organizations to focus research on and aid in the development of better policies and practices in key areas of Canada's social, cultural and economic life. Created by an act of parliament in 1977, it is governed by a 22-member council that reports to parliament through the Minister of Industry.
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About UOIT
As an innovative university, UOIT delivers a leading-edge learning environment that uniquely combines academic knowledge, research opportunities, hands-on skills and a vibrant student life. UOIT's 4,300 students are taught by professors who are experts in their fields from around the world. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, UOIT offers more than 30 challenging undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of Business and Information Technology, Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, and Sciences. UOIT's commitment to research excellence has resulted in millions of dollars in grants and awards, including several Canada Research Chairs. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 905.721.8668.
About Ontario Tech University
A modern, forwarding-thinking university, Ontario Tech advances the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. We inspire and equip our students and our graduates to make a positive impact in a tech-focused world. For us, it’s not only about developing the next tech breakthrough. Understanding and integrating the social and ethical implications of technology differentiates us as university. Learn more at ontariotechu.ca.
Media contact
Tony Doyle
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.3111 ext. 2209
tony.doyle@uoit.ca
