Achievements
Posted: Thursday, May 1, 2008Barbara J. Dray , Assistant Professor, Exceptional Education
Melissa J. Miszkiewicz, director of academic computing, Computing and Technology Services, andBarbara J. Dray, assistant professor, Exceptional Education, in collaboration with Kelly Marczynski,assistant director and senior research scientist, andWilliam Wieczorek, director, Center for Health and Social Research, have developed a survey to assess student perceptions of their readiness to learn through online formats. During the initial development and under the guidance of Marczynski, Miszkiewicz and Dray worked together to conduct a cognitive item analysis of the survey whereby students provided feedback on the cognitive intent of each question. Dray and Miszkiewicz presented these initial findings at TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) in 2006, and AERA (American Educational Research Association) and Educause in 2007. Their work has been receiving both national and international recognition. They have been invited to present their work at the eighth annual Merlot International Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, August 7–10. Currently, they are conducting a large-scale validation study with students at Buffalo State College and hope to present preliminary findings at the August conference. Additionally, they are collaborating with el Grupo de Investigación de Tecnología Educativa, Departamento de Didáctica y Organización Escolar, at the Universidad de Murcia, in Spain, where the survey is being translated for use with its student population.