UNC School of Education

>> Anderson, Janice L.

Janice Anderson’s research interests include the use of educational games and virtual worlds (Quest Atlantis) to teach science content, the impact of gender and race on students’ construction of scientific knowledge, supporting students in scientific inquiry, explanation and argumentation and the design and enactment of science curriculum materials. Her research uses feminist theory as well as the theoretical framework of Vygotsky to study the role of the computer/video games and their impact on facilitating students’ understandings of science. 

In her current research, she is considering the way that computer and video games can help to position students toward developing critical thinking skills as well as dispositions toward the learning of science content knowledge. By investigating how these games are integrated into the classroom environment, her research addresses the ways that computer games can engage all students and afford them the opportunity to connect with science. In doing this, her work seeks to broaden students’ engagement not only with meaningful science, but also with innovative technology.

Additionally, her work focuses on teachers’ engagement with these innovative technologies and how they are enacted within the classroom context. Specifically, she is investigating the complex relationship among teachers’ beliefs, use of the game environment, and how teachers implement the game in their classroom.