UNC School of Education

Assistant Professor of Science Education

T 919.843.9867
anderjl@email.unc.edu

016A Peabody Hall
CB 3500

An assistant professor of science education, Janice L. Anderson teaches science education courses in the Elementary Education program and the Master of Education program for Experienced Teachers. Prior to joining the faculty at UNC-Chapel Hill, she taught biology and anatomy in Ohio and worked in elementary classrooms in Massachusetts. Preceding her classroom experience, she worked in a molecular biology research lab focusing on reproductive endocrinology and biochemistry.

Anderson received her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Boston College with a focus on Science and Technology. Her dissertation research explored the use of a 3D virtual world (Quest Atlantis) to teach concepts related to water quality and ecosystems to urban fifth-grade students. Additionally, the study looked at the impact of gender and learning outcomes on how students engaged with the game. The catalyst for her professional efforts has been the notion of improving students' engagement with science and technology particularly among populations that are underrepresented in science, based on both gender and race.

Anderson's professional activities have included her involvement in several major organizations including the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, American Educational Research Association, International Society for Learning Sciences and National Science Teachers Association. She has presented at various state, national and international science education conferences. She previously served as a Regional Science Fair director for Montgomery County in Ohio and has judged state fairs in both Ohio and Massachusetts.

• Electronic Portfolio

• Ph.D. 2008 - Boston College, Curriculum and Instruction
• M.S. 1992 - University of Dayton, Science Education
• B.A. 1986 - Case Western Reserve University, Biology

• Science Education
• Gender and Science Education
• Technology and Teacher Education
• Computer and Video Games Use in Science Education
• Research Overview

• Science Education
  
• Educational Technology

• Hugh Hildebrandt Award for Outstanding Contribution to Science Education, 2003
• Governor’s Award for Excellence in Science Education; 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003
• Pfizer Leadership Institute in Human and Molecular Genetics at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Summer, 2001

• American Educational Research Association (AERA)
• National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST)
• International Society of Learning Sciences (ISLS)
• National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)

• 2007 - present: Curriculum Advisory Committee on Science and Technology – Chaminade-Julienne High School, Dayton, OH

Barnett, M., & Anderson, J. (Under Review) Issues and trends concerning electronic networking technologies for teacher professional development: A critical review of the literature. Paper submitted to The Journal of Technology and Teacher Education.

Barnett, M., Higginbotham, T., Anderson, J., Houle, M., and Gatling, A. (accepted). The process of trust building between university researchers and urban school personnel. Paper to appear in Urban Education.

Barnett, M., Wagner, H., Gatling, A., Houle, M. & Anderson, J., & Kafka, A. (2006). The impact of science fiction film on student understanding of science. Journal of Science Education and Technology.

Anderson, J., Jong, C. and Barnett, M. (2008). Virtual World, Real Impact: Gender, Race and the Use of a 3D Virtual World to Teach Concepts Around Water Quality. National Association for Research in Science Teaching Annual Conference, March 30-April 2, 2008, Baltimore Maryland.

Anderson, J. (2008). Using Educational Computer and Video-games in K-12 Classrooms to Promote Learning: A Critical Literature Review. National Association for Research in Science Teaching Annual Conference, March 30-April 2, 2008, Baltimore Maryland.

Anderson, J., Jong, C. and Barnett, M. (2008). Virtual World, Real Impact: Gender, Race and the Use of a 3D Virtual World to Teach Concepts Around Water Quality. American Educational Research Association Annual Conference, New York City, New York, March 24-28, 2008

Anderson, J. and Barnett, M. (2007). The Kids Got Game: Using Quest Atlantis, a 3D Virtual Computer Game to Develop Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills in Middle School Science Classrooms. Presented at National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) - April 2007, New Orleans, LA.

Anderson, J. and Barnett, M. (2007). The Kids Got Game: Using Quest Atlantis, a 3D Virtual Computer Game to Develop Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills in Elementary Science Classrooms. Presented at American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting, April 2007, Chicago, IL.

Anderson, J., Barnett, M. and Bergin, J. (2007) Quest Atlantis: Using computer gaming technology to teach problem solving surrounding water quality and environmental issues. Presented at National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), March 2007, St. Louis, Missouri.

Anderson, J. and Barnett, M. (2006). Using Activity Theory to Analyze and Describe Special Needs Students Understanding of Engineering Design Principles Through Lego Robotics. Paper presented at the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, San Francisco, CA. April 2006.

Anderson, J., Barnett, M. and Higginbotham, T. (2006). Didn’t I Tell You That? Challenges and Tensions in Developing and Sustaining School-University Partnerships. Paper presented at the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, San Francisco, CA. April 2006.

Higginbotham, T., Anderson, J. , Rosca, C., Barnett, M., Jecunas, D., Copeland, S., and Zincowski, J. (2006). The Story of One Urban High School’s Efforts to Improve Student Attitudes, Motivation, Self- Efficacy and Perceptions of Self, School, and Science through Project-Based Science Instruction. Paper presented at the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, San Francisco, CA. April 2006.

Higginbotham, T., Barnett, M, Anderson, J. Building trust between partners: University, teacher, and administrators in K-12 schools. (2006). Paper presented at the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, San Francisco, CA. April 2006.

Anderson, J., & Barnett, M. Innovative Session: Early Childhood Robotics for Learning. (2006) Paper presented at the International Conference of Learning Sciences, June 2006, University of Indiana, Bloomington, IN.

Anderson, J.L., Higginbotham, T. and Barnett, M. (2005). Chamberlain High School: An Urban High School's efforts to improve students' attitudes, motivations, self-efficacy, and perceptions of self, school and science - Early findings. Paper presented at the 2005 annual meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, Dallas, TX. April 2005

Bellegarde, H., Barnett, M., Pfitzner, A., Anderson, J., Houle, M., & Kafka, A. (2005). Inviting Students into The World of Seismology Research: Impact on Student Understanding of Seismological Concepts. Paper presented at the 2005 annual meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching. Dallas, TX. April 2005.