Docktor, Jennifer L. ^{Person Individualisierte Person}

One of my primary roles at UWL is to advise and mentor future science teachers in the Secondary Teacher Education Preparation (STEP) program. I am part of a national effort called PhysTEC (the Physics Teacher Education Coalition) to recruit and retain physics teachers, and I also lead professional development seminars and workshops for current teachers. My research in Physics Education focuses on cognitive science and problem solving. I use eye-tracking technology to study the way people view and interpret multiple representations in physics (such as diagrams, graphs, and equations.) This research will provide useful information for designing better instructional materials for teaching physics. In teacher education I study strategies for recruiting and retaining high school physics teachers, implementing scientific explanations into courses for pre-service teachers, and administering professional development in physical science for in-service teachers at all levels (elementary school, middle school, and high school). Each of these are important pursuits because there is currently a critical shortage of physics teachers nationwide, and a high need for professional development in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) for pre-service and in-service teachers.