faculty

Walter Stroup

Associate Professor / Chairperson

STEM Education & Teacher Development

Contact

508-910-6603

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Liberal Arts 398B

Teaching

Programs

Teaching

Courses

Contemporary theories of learning in STEM education. The course helps students understand ways of knowing and how this drives research and applies to research in STEM education. Particular attention will be given to enabling students to situate their research in relevant theoretical frameworks and understand the implications of theoretical frameworks on research design.

Topics not included in the regular offerings of the department. The specific topic is stated when the course is scheduled. May be repeated with change of content. The course satisfies 600-level elective requirements for the Mathematics Education PhD.

Study under the supervision of a faculty member in an area covered in a regular course not currently being offered. Conditions and hours to be arranged.

Focuses on developing the dissertation proposal, including conducting a full literature review, identifying the theoretical perspectives and relevant research framing the proposed dissertation research, a clear statement of the research questions and significance of the problem, a description of the research methods and design, and a work plan that identifies how data will be collected and analyzed.

Focuses on developing the dissertation proposal, including conducting a full literature review, identifying the theoretical perspectives and relevant research framing the proposed dissertation research, a clear statement of the research questions and significance of the problem, a description of the research methods and design, and a work plan that identifies how data will be collected and analyzed.

Special topics in STEM education. Students will focus on a topic not included in the regular offerings of the department The specific topic is stated when the course is scheduled. The course will require students to engage in reading existing research and engaging in in a project related to that research that may include conducting new research, synthesizing existing research, or other authentic learning activities related to becoming a scholar in the field of STEM education.

Teaching

Online and Continuing Education Courses

Survey new types of geometry made possible by dynamic computer graphics as well as topics that help students deepen their understanding of the key ideas of Euclidean and Non-Euclidean geometries. The focus will be on the connections and deep structural themes unifying these areas, and on using geometry to gain a deeper understanding of middle school and high-school geometries.

Focuses on development of a rich and coherent understanding of teaching and learning K-5 geometry and measurement topics. Topics include properties and measurement of 2D and 3D objects, angles, lines, constructions, transformations, and similarity. It also provides participants opportunities to develop habits of mathematical thinking, use logical reasoning, particularly deductive logic and proof, as well as engage in real mathematics.

Examination of the basic theories of learning and teaching and the application of theory to educational environments. Students will learn about cognitive and effective theories related to learning as well as develop understandings of the social, cultural, and political factors that influence learning. Units of study include the principles of motivation, classroom management, and contemporary issues in education.
Register for this course.

Research

Research interests

  • Development of generative design to support group-based, socially mediated, STEM focused classroom learning for grades three through university

Dr. Walter Stroup’s most recent work includes the development of pattern-based items, methods and assessment technologies used statewide by the Texas Education Agency with over 400,000 students in grades 3-8 students (math and language arts/reading) and also serving as Principal Investigator for the NSF-funded, Group-based Cloud Computing for STEM Education Project (gbccstem.com) An education researcher, classroom educator, and developer for more than 30 years, he currently serves as Chair of the Department of STEM Education and Teacher Development at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth. Dr. Stroup is an experienced leader of research teams and a repeat recipient of funding from the National Science Foundation. Prior to accepting his current position, he was an Associate Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at The University of Texas, Austin. The teacher education program he helped found while at UT is used by more than 45 universities across the US. He has also been a consultant to state and federal ministries of education in Mexico. Dr. Stroup received his doctorate in education from Harvard University.