The Cognitive Science Seminar Series is an informal gathering of graduate students and faculty from multiple departments with an interest in presenting and discussing cognitive science topics.

This week, guest speaker Dr. Lauren Margulieux will be joining us from Georgia State University for a virtual talk titled "Building Theory in STEM Education Research: Encoding Strategies Theory and Multiple Conceptions Theory."

ABSTRACT
The computing education research field frequently calls for theory-building work to better explain the mechanisms of how people learn computer science. This talk discusses two theories that have been developed based on a synthesis of work across multiple fields to explain phenomena frequently seen in computing education. The first theory, Spatial Encoding Strategy theory, proposes a mechanism to explain how spatial skill training improves generalized problem solving while all other forms of brain training produce only localized results. It draws upon work in computing education, cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and learning sciences. The second theory, Multiple Conceptions theory, proposes a mechanism to explain how both direct instruction and constructivist instructional approaches can be designed to guarantee successful results. It draws upon instructional approaches from various STEM fields and educational psychology. The talk concludes with the synthesis process used to develop these theories.

Bio: Lauren Margulieux is an Assistant Professor of Learning Sciences at Georgia State University. She received her Ph.D. from Georgia Tech in Engineering Psychology, the study of how humans interact with technology. Her research interests are in educational technology and online learning, particularly for computing education. She also coordinates an initiative in Georgia State’s teacher preparation programs to integrating computing into pre-service teacher training in all disciplines and directs a computer science endorsement to certify in-service teachers to offer computing courses.

Note: Meetings are passcode protected. For Zoom access information or to be added to the seminar distribution list, please email cogsci-seminar-requests@umich.edu.