WILLIAM J. STRAITS

 

Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Appalachian State University

Boone, NC  28608

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

CURRENT POSITION

PRIOR EXPERIENCE

 

 

 

EDUCATION

 

University of Texas, Austin

Doctorate of Philosophy, Science Education

December 2001
University of Texas, Austin

Masters of Education, Curriculum and Instruction

May 1997

California State University, Fullerton

Masters of Arts, Biology 
August 1995
University of California, Irvine

Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences
June 1991

 

 

CURRENT POSITION

 

Assistant Professor, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC
8/03-present

Courses taught: Science and Science Teaching in the Elementary School; Teachers, Schools, and Learners;

Recent Trends and Issues in Education (graduate); Connecting Learners with Subject Matter (graduate);

Science Process Skill Instruction (graduate); and Science Investigations (graduate) 

 

 

PRIOR EXPERIENCE

 

K-8th Grade Teaching Positions

Teacher, L. L. Hotchkiss Elementary School - DISD, Dallas, TX    
8/02 – 6/03

·         Served as Fifth Grade Science and K-6 Technology Teacher

      Inner-city school with 100% of students Title 1 and 44% Limited English Proficient

 

Middle School Teacher, The Prentice School, Santa Ana, CA  
8/00 – 6/01

·         Developed and Implemented 7th and 8th grade Life Sci. and Lang. Arts curricula                                                              

·         Ensured curricula and assessment accounted for special needs; 100% of student population diagnosed as dyslexic

 

Substitute Teacher, Magnolia School District, Anaheim, CA  
   10/93 – 2/94

9/97 – 6/98

·         Instructed kindergarten through sixth grade students                                                               

·         Worked with Communicative and Physically challenged students            

·         Taught communication skills to English as a Second Language students                                                                                               

 

Post-secondary Teaching Positions
Teaching Assistant, The University of Texas, Austin  
9/95 – 5/97

9/98 – 1/00

Courses taught: Cell and Molecular Biology; Structure and Function of Organisms; Ecology & Evolution;

Molecules to Organisms (non-majors); Ecology, Evolution, & Society (non-majors); and Introduction

to Astronomy (non-majors)

 

Teaching Associate, California State University, Fullerton 
  9/91 – 6/95

Courses taught: Plant Physiology (graduate), Plant Ecology (graduate), Botany Laboratory, Ecology

Laboratory, and General Biology Laboratory (non-majors)

 

Instructor, Chapman University  
2/93 – 6/93

Course taught: Introduction to Botany Lecture

 

Related Employment
Field Biologist, Essex Environmental, Solano Beach, CA     
3/00 – 5/00

·         Surveyed urban and rural areas of Northern San Diego County, CA for presence of endangered and

sensitive plant and animal species

 

Graduate Assistant, University of Texas, Austin  
     9/96 –2/97

·         Responsible for the evaluation of the new state-wide, kindergarten – 12th grade science curriculum,   

      Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

·         Assisted in the editing and rewriting of the science TEKS

 

Research Assistant, University of Texas Marine Science Institute, Port Aransas, TX  
6/96 – 9/96

·         Assisted in data collection of plankton densities, water column chemistry, and sediment composition

      as part of an extensive survey of the biotic and abiotic characteristics of the Laguna Madre, TX

 

Field Center Coordinator, Chautauqua Faculty Development Program, Austin, TX
1/96 – 6/96

·         Provided technical support for instructors, before, during and after courses

·         Assisted in the screening and selection of applicants

 

Field Biologist, Psomas, Irvine CA        
6/95 – 7/95

·         Assessed primary pollinators of the endangered plant, Eriastrum densifolium

·         Measured pollinator effectiveness and constancy

 

Field Biologist, The Chambers Group, Irvine CA 
6/92 – 9/92

·         Measured abundance and density of vegetation with the Sierra Nevada Mtns.

·         Identified riparian, desert, and montane plant species

 

 

PUBLICATIONS

 

Straits, W. J. (in press). Science: An invitation to writing. Science and Children.

 

Wilke, R. R. & Straits, W. J. (in press). Practical advice for teaching inquiry-based science process skills in the biological sciences. The American Biology Teacher.

 

Straits, W. J. & Wilke, R. R. (2004, November). Making activities inquiry-based: Tips for science lecturers. Innovation Abstracts, 36(27). http://inside.cpcc.edu/ctl/resources/abstracts/XXVI_27.pdf

 

Straits, W. J. & Wilke, R. R. (2003). Preparing for the science TAKS: Inquiry-based activities for fostering an understanding of the nature of science. Texas Science Teacher, 32(2), 32-34.

 

Wilke, R. R. & Straits, W. J. (2003). Using analogies for improved science instruction. Texas Science Teacher, 32(2), 40-42.

 

Straits, W. J. & Wilke, R. R. (2003). Activities-based astronomy: An evaluation of an instructor's first attempt and its impact on student characteristics. Astronomy Educational Research, 2(3). http://aer.noao.edu/

 

Straits, W. J. & Wilke, R. R. (2002). Practical considerations for the development and use of assessments for inquiry-based instruction. Journal of College Science Teaching, 31 (7), 432-435.

 

Hemenway, M. K., Straits, W. J., Wilke, R. R., & Hufnagel, B. (2002). Educational research in an introductory astronomy class. Innovative Higher Education, 26(4), 271-280.

                              

Wilke, R. R. & Straits, W. J. (2001). The effects of discovery learning in a lower-division biology course. Advances in Physiology Education,25(2): 62-69. http://advan.physiology.org/cgi/content/full/25/2/62

 

Straits, W. J., Gill, D. D., & Lowe, A. J. (1996). Genetic variation within and among sub-populations of the rare plant, Lesquerella kingii ssp. bernadina (Brassicaceae). Crossosoma, 22(2), 59-64.  

 

CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS, PUBLISHED ABSTRACTS, & UNPUBLISHED MANUSCRIPTS

Wilke, R. R. & Straits, W. J. (2005). Relationships between learner characteristics and successful use of active learning strategies in a college physiology lecture course. Proceedings of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching.

 

Bercaw, L. A., Jacobson, M. G., Straits, W. J., & Schram, P. W. (2004). Influences of community service on prospective teachers’ understanding of self, others, and community. Proceedings of the Hawaii International Conference on Education.

 

Hemenway, M. K., Straits, W. J., Wilke, R. R., & Hufnagel, B. (2001). Using Educational Research to Modify Instruction in an Introductory Astronomy Class. Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society 33, 1424. http://www.aas.org/publications/baas/v33n4/aas199/125.htm

 

Straits, W. J. (2001). Students’ perspectives of factors that promote learning in large, college biology class: The influence of instructor characteristics and instructor-provided resources. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, The University of Texas at Austin.

 

Straits, W. J. (1997). Students’ views of learning in large, non-majors biology class. Unpublished manuscript, The University of Texas at Austin.

 

 

PRESENTATIONS

 

Wilke, R. R.& Straits, W. J. (2005, April). Relationships between Learner Characteristics and Successful Use of Active Learning Strategies in a College Physiology Lecture Course. Presented at the international meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching. Dallas, TX.

 

Wilke, R. R. & Straits, W. J. (2005, April). The Effect of Active Learning on College Students' Achievement, Motivation, and Self-efficacy in a Human Physiology Course for Non-majors. Presented at the national meeting of the National Science Teachers Association. Dallas, TX.

 

Wilke, R. R. & Straits, W. J. (2005, March). The Effect of Active Learning Strategies on Educational Outcomes in a Non-majors Science Course. Presented at the meeting of the Texas Academy of Sciences. Edinburg, TX.

 

Straits, W. J. (2005, February). Using Historical Non-fiction Texts to Develop Prospective Elementary Teachers’ Nature of Science Understandings. Presentation invited by The Department of Science Education, California State University, Long Beach.

 

Straits, W. J. (2005, January). Pre-service Teachers' Representations of their Developing Nature of Science Understandings. Presented at Qualitative Interest Group (QUIG) Conference on Interdisciplinary Qualitative Studies. Athens, GA.

 

Straits, W. J. (2004, November). Using Historical Non-fiction Texts to Develop Pre-service Teachers’ Nature of Science Understandings. Presented at the Mid-South regional meeting of the Educational Research Association. Gatlinburg, TN.

 

Straits, W. J., Bolick, M., Creaseman, C., Dodd, C. A., Fussell, M., Walker, C., & Watson, S. (2004, November). Simply Our Best: Easy Activities for Developing Science Process Skills. Presented at the annual meeting of the North Carolina Science Teachers Assocication. Greensboro, NC.

 

Straits, W. J. (2004, October). Developing Pre-service Teachers' Nature of Science Understandings. Presented at the Mid-Atlantic regional meeting of the Association for the Education of Teachers of Science. Roan Mountain, TN.

 

Straits, W. J. & Wilke, R. R. (2004, April). No Time for Science? Activities for Teaching Science Process Skills in an Integrated, Time-efficient Manner. Presented at the national meeting of the National Science Teachers Association. Atlanta, GA.

 

Wilke, R. R. & Straits, W. J. (2004, April). Practical Considerations for Assessing Inquiry-based Instruction. Presented at the national meeting of the National Science Teachers Association. Atlanta, GA.

 

Wilke, R. R. & Straits, W. J. (2004, March). Assessing Inquiry Learning in the College Science Classroom. Presented at the meeting of the Texas Academy of Sciences. Kerrville, TX.

 

Bercaw, L. A., Jacobson, M.G., Straits, W. J. & Schram, P. W. (2004, January). Influences of Community Service on Prospective Teachers’ Understanding of Self, Others, and Community. Presented at the Hawaii International Conference on Education. Honolulu, HI.

 

Straits, W. J. & Wilke, R. R. (2003, November). Inquiry-Based Activities for Developing Science Process Skills.Presented at the meeting of the North Carolina Science Teachers Association. Greensboro, NC.

 

Wilke, R. R. & Straits, W. J. (2003, April). Time-efficient, Inquiry-based Strategies for Teaching Science Process Skills. Presented at the national meeting of the National Science Teachers Association. Philadelphia, PA.

 

Straits, W. J. & Wilke, R. R. (2003, February). Providing a Foundation for Inquiry: Teaching Process Skills in College Science Courses. Presented at the meeting of the Texas Academy of Sciences. Nacogdoches, TX. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/tas/abstracts.htm

 

Straits, W. J. & Wilke, R. R. (2003, February). Use of Inquiry-based, Science Process Activities: Lessons from Post-secondary Implementation for the Elementary Educator. Presentation invited by the Department of Education, Western Kentucky University.

 

Straits, W. J. & Wilke, R. R. (2003, February). Science Process Skills Activities for Elementary and Middle School Classrooms. Presentation invited by The Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Appalachian State University.

 

Straits, W. J. & Wilke, R. R. (2003, February). Inquiry-based Alternatives for Teaching Science Process Skills in the Elementary Classroom. Presentation invited by The Charter College of Education, California State University, Los Angeles.

 

Straits, W. J. (2002, October). Texas Safety Standards. Training session presented at L. L. Hotchkiss Elementary School, D.I.S.D. Dallas, TX.

 

Straits, W. J. (2002, August). Science TAKS: A brief introduction. Presented at L. L. Hotchkiss Elementary School, D.I.S.D. Dallas, TX.

 

Wilke, R. R. & Straits, W. J. (2002, April). Implementing and Assessing Inquiry Learning: Ideas for Science Educators. Paper and seminar conducted for the Region XV Science Collaborative, as part of the Texas Regional Collaboratives for Excellence in Science Teaching. Angelo State University, San Angelo, TX.

 

Wilke, R. R. & Straits, W. J. (2002, March). Inquiry Learning in Higher Education: Ideas for College Educators. Paper and seminar conducted at the invitation of the Teaching and Learning Scholarship Series. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX.

 

Hemenway, M. K., Straits, W. J., Wilke, R. R., & Hufnagel, B. (2002, January). Using Educational Research to Modify Instruction in an Introductory Astronomy Class,aspart if the special oral session, The Astronomy Diagnostic Test: Development, Results, and Applications Presented at the meeting of the American Astronomical Society. Washington, DC. http://www.aas.org/publications/baas/v33n4/aas199/125.htm

 

Wilke, R. R. & Straits, W. J. (2001, November). Assessing Inquiry Learning: Ideas for the High School Science Teacher. Presented at the Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching. Austin, TX.

 

Wilke, R. R. & Straits, W. J. (2001, October). Inquiry Learning Strategies for the Secondary Science Teacher. Presented at the Concho Valley Math and Science Conference. San Angelo, TX.

 

Wilke, R. R. & Straits, W. J. (2001, August). Taking the Mystery out of Inquiry: Strategies for College Educators. Presented at The Lilly Conference. San Marcos, TX.

 

Straits, W. J. & Wilke, R. R. (2000, December). Assessing Inquiry Learning. Presented at the regional meeting of the National Science Teachers Association. Phoenix, AZ.

 

Hemenway, M. K., Straits, W. J., Wilke, R. R., & Hufnagel, B. (2000, June). Educational Research in an Introductory Astronomy Class: Practical Advise. Presented at the meeting of the American Astronomical Society. Pasadena, CA.

 

Straits, W. J. & Wilke, R. R. (2000, April). Students’ Views of an Activity-based Astronomy Course and its Effects on Learner Characteristics. Presented at the annual meeting of the National Association of Research in Science Teaching. New Orleans, LA.

 

Straits, W. J. (2000, February). Discovery Learning: An Example from a Lower-division Biology Course. Presented at the invitation of the Biological Sciences / Biology Education Departmental Seminar Series at Northern Colorado University. Greeley, CO.

 

Wilke, R. R. & Straits, W. J. (1999, November). Implementing Discovery Learning in the College Science Classroom. Presented at the regional meeting of the National Science Teachers Association. Tulsa, OK.

 

Hemenway, M. K., Straits, W. J., & Wilke, R. R. (1999, April). Bridging the Gap in Astronomy: K-12 to College. Presented at the annual meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers. San Antonio, TX.

 

Tippins, D., Nichols, S., Wiesman, K., Gohl, D., & Straits, W. (1996, February). Science Education Reform: A Tapestry of Voices. Presented at the International Conference of Researchers in Science and Mathematics Education. Belize City, Belize.

                               

Nichols, S. & Straits, W. (1995, December). Environmental Education- Bringing it Home. Presented at the regional meeting of the National Science Teachers Association. San Antonio, TX.

 

 

RESEARCH ACTIVITY

 

 

Exploring the effects of using of science-based, historical non-fiction readings in a science education course for prospective elementary teachers with regard to students' nature of science understandings and the relation between understandings and subsequent science teaching, at Appalachian State University, NC
2004 – present

 

Investigating the effects of using of literature circles-based instruction in a science methods education course for prospective elementary teachers upon subsequent reading instruction with particular attention to reading in the content areas, at Appalachian State University, NC
2004 – present

 

 

Participated in longitudinal study of community service and service-learning on prospective elementary teachers’ views of self, others, and community and the impacts on teachers’ future classroom practice, in collaboration with Drs. Lynne Bercaw and Pam Schram of Appalachian State University, NC  
2003 – 2004

 

 

Conducting original investigation of the effects of inquiry-based and science process skill instruction upon college students’ self-efficacy, achievement, and attitudes towards science, in collaboration with Dr. R. Russell Wilke of Angelo State University, TX  
2000 – present

 

 

Conducted original investigation of students’ perceptions of their learning in a large undergraduate biology lecture course, under the direction of Dr. James Barufaldi at the University of Texas, Austin  
1998 – 2001

 

 

Participated in collaborative investigations of the effects of discovery and active learning-based instruction upon undergraduate students’ self-efficacy, attitudes towards science, and achievement, under the direction of Dr. Marilla Svinicki at the University of Texas, Austin  
1998 – 2001

 

Assisted in data collection of plankton densities, water column chemistry, and sediment composition as part of an extensive survey of biotic and abiotic characteristics of the Laguna Madre in the laboratory of Dr. Ken Dunton at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute  
1996

 

 

Participated in original investigation to assess science curriculum reform effort of the Science Task Force within the Austin Independent School District, under the direction of Dr. Sherry Nichols at the University of Texas, Austin  
1995 – 1996

 

 

Conducted original investigation to assess variation within and among sub-populations of the endangered plant, Lesquerella kingii ssp. bernadina, Master’s Thesis work in the laboratory of Dr. David Gill at California State University, Fullerton  
1991 – 1995

 

Assisted with sampling and electrophoretic analysis for an investigation that assessed variation and reproductive mode of the red alga, Lithothrix aspergillum, in the laboratory of Dr. Steven Murray at California State University, Fullerton  
1991 – 1995

 

FACULTY DEVELOPMENT COURSES OFFERED

 

"Providing a foundation for inquiry: Developing science process skills in the Biological Sciences." Offered through the National Science Foundation - Chautauqua faculty development program, University of Texas as Austin field center. Austin, TX. Attendees: Post-secondary Biology instructors from throughout the United States. http://www.chautauqua.pitt.edu/txa.htm  

July 16-18, 2004 July 14-16, 2005

 

"Science investigations." As part of the Math & Science Workshop for Women, Grades 3-6 Teachers & Kids, offered through the Math and Science Education Center, Appalachian State University. Boone, NC. Attendees: Watauga County teachers and students, grades 3-6.

http://www.msec.appstate.edu/
June 25, 2004

  

"Science processes and the E.O.G. science tests." Offered through the Math and Science Education Center, Appalachian State University. Boone, NC. Attendees: Watauga County teachers, grades K-8.

http://www.msec.appstate.edu/
Nov. 7-8, 2003