In this dissertation I will present my work in both the fields of spintronics and physics education research. In the first section, I present a method to account for spin pumping in spin torque ferromagnetic resonance (ST-FMR) measurements. A spin current can be generated via the spin Hall effect (SHE), which is typically transverse to the charge…

This study investigated relations between the distribution of practice problems in textbooks and students' learning of decimal arithmetic. In Study 1, we analyzed the distributions of decimal arithmetic practice problems that appeared in 3 leading math textbook series in the United States. Similar imbalances in the relative frequencies of decimal…

Participatory Learning (PL) integrates several learning approaches, engaging students throughout the entire assignment process for both online and face-to-face courses. Beyond simply providing a solution, students also craft a problem (problem-based learning), grade each other (peer assessment and feedback), evaluate themselves (self-assessment),…

Productive problem solving, concept construction, and sense making occur through the core process of abstraction. Although the capacity for domain-general abstraction is developed at a young age, the role of abstraction in increasingly complex and disciplinary environments, such as those encountered in undergraduate STEM education, is not well…

In most performing classes, such as dance or performing arts, students passively follow the scripts or demonstration provided by the teacher, and focus on imitating the acts and practicing repeatedly. Although researchers have begun trying out flipped learning to provide students with opportunities for self-learning and to increase the time for…

For years, scientists, policymakers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs have warned of social, environmental, and economic risks throughout society. Although researchers have explored the role of baccalaureate-granting institutions in addressing wicked problems of sustainability through multi-stakeholder initiatives, the role of "community…

I have created a general workflow that describes how students reason through non-trivial organic predict-the-product problems. This was accomplished through an iterative process that combined the experiences of instructors with holistic impressions of think-aloud interviews, incorporating feedback from both undergraduate focus groups and graduate…

This design case describes the implementation of the Human-centered Design process, developed by the world leading design firm IDEO and Stanford d. school. The process describes the technology integration onto a teaching credential program course at a university in Central California. It reports the thought process to adopting HCD in the course…

The research phase preluding a design capstone project is challenging for both students and instructors. In a situation where students are free to work on a topic of their choosing, a preset, generic research design is not suitable. Imposing a rigid framework would endanger the possibility of students truly examining and capturing the complexity…

Transactive discussion during collaborative learning is crucial for building on each other's reasoning and developing problem solving strategies. In a tabletop collaborative learning activity, student actions on the interface can drive their thinking and be used to ground discussions, thus affecting their problem-solving performance and learning.…

Drawing on Kucher's (2021) framework on digital game-based learning (DGBL), this paper introduces the development of game-based scenarios in two culturally distinctive and salient heritage sites in Cyprus and Sweden, the Neolithic village of Choirokoitia and the Iron Age Ringfort of Sandby Borg. The aim was to implement Kucher's (2021) five…

Background: The competencies for the 21st century are defined as a broad and interrelated system of knowledge, skills, values and attitudes enabling the full application of man in personal and professional life. Regarding the science education competencies combining science and scientific knowledge, as well as skills such as inquiry, critical…

This study aimed to examine the relationship between mathematical modelling and reflective thinking and to examine the effects of employing mathematical modelling processes on perception of mathematical modelling competencies and reflective thinking skills for real-life problem solving of gifted students participating in Project Production and…

This manuscript proposes the use of the "I notice, I wonder" routine in college mathematics classrooms to address issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Examples are given of prompts that incorporate meaningful conversations about real-world issues affecting our students or about issues of inclusion, access, and representation in…

This study explores high school students' and their mathematics teachers' mathematical discourses on the equal sign and variables in the classroom context. The participants in this case study were ninth graders and their mathematics teachers. The data were analyzed in terms of participants' routines, specifically ritual and explorative routines in…