Although my academic training is in cognitive psychology (which means that I study how people learn and retain information), my main interest is in how principles of learning can be applied in educational settings. My work is based on the realization that true learning goes beyond memorization of facts, definitions, and equations – it requires a deeper understanding of how such concepts are related and applied. Specifically, I am interested in the development of non-traditional techniques of assessing conceptual knowledge for the purpose of formative feedback and instructional design (i.e., to improve learning rather than to simply rank students). Among my current projects, I am using a structural assessment technique (much like concept mapping) to visually represent students' and teachers' domain knowledge, and then using the results to identify students' strengths and weaknesses and to guide instruction. In addition, I try to find time to run marathons and climb rocks.
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