departments & programs academic departments mathematics, science & technology education faculty & staffFaculty & Staff
margaret r. blanchard, Ph.d.
Assistant Professor
Science Education
Math, Science & Technology Education |
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Education
Ph.D. Science Education, Florida State University
M.S. Science Education, Florida State University
B.A. Biology, Augustana College (Illinois)
Dissertation and Thesis
• Blanchard, M. R. (2006) Assimilation or Transformation? An analysis of change in ten secondary science teachers following an inquiry-based research experience for teachers. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL.
• Blanchard, M. R. (1999). Analyzing a process of change in a college statistics classroom: A team learning approach. Unpublished master’s thesis, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL.
Research Area
Teacher Change and Student Learning following Inquiry-Based Professional Development
Current Research Description
Current research is with 60 middle school mathematics and science teachers on changes following professional development with technology-infused, inquiry-based curricula. Areas studied: Teachers’ changes in familiarity with technology; Teacher’s use of videoconferencing versus face-to-face technical support; shifts in student-centeredness of teaching; nature of Polycom support sessions; student learning following teacher professional development.
Recent Grants
Blanchard, M. R., & Grable, L. L. (April, 2008). Science and Mathematics Achievement through enRiched Technology for Middle Schools (SMART): Innovation for 21st Century Teaching & Learning. ITEST initiative, National Science Foundation. ($1,400,000.00, in review).
Blanchard, M. R., & Grable, L. L. (November, 2007). SMART for Teachers: Science and Mathematics Achievement through enRiched Technology for Teachers. NC Quest initiative, U.S. Department of Education. ($296,965.00, funded).
Blanchard, M.R. (April, 2007). Comparing the Relative Effectiveness of Two Follow-Up Methods in supporting and sustaining Teacher Professional Development: Videoconferencing versus Face-to-Face Technical Support. Faculty Research Professional Development Grant ($8,000.00, funded).
Grable, L. L., Wiebe, E., & Blanchard, M. R. (April, 2007). Middle Grades in the 21st Century: Science and Mathematics. University Extension Grant, North Carolina State University ($10,000.00, funded).
Blanchard, M. R., Southerland, S. A., & Granger, E. M. (August, 2005). Assessment of student learning in a laboratory setting: A quantitative study of inquiry-based versus traditional science teaching methods. Multi-University Reading, Mathematics, and Science Initiative, U.S. Department of Education. ($66,281.25, funded).
Courses Taught
• EMS 203 (Introduction to Teaching Science)
• EMS 375 (Science Teaching Methods I)
• EMS 476 (Student Teaching in Science)
• EMS 495 (Senior Seminar in Science Education)
• EMS 501 (Readings in Science Education)
• EMS 775 (Science Education Foundations)
recent Publications
• Blanchard, M. R., Southerland, S. A., & Granger, D. E. (in press). No silver bullet for inquiry: Making sense of teacher change following an inquiry-based research experience for teachers. Science Education.
• Southerland, S.A., Rose, K., Blanchard, M. (2008). A circuitous route to reform: Interactions of curriculum materials, research, professional development experiences, personal support, and a teacher's discontentment. In J. Gess-Newsome, J. Luft, & R. Bell (Eds.), Reform in the secondary science classroom. Arlington, VA: National Science Teachers Association.
• Settlage, J. & Blanchard, M. R. (2007). Requisite teacher knowledge about inquiry and its classroom application. In E. Abrams, P. Silva, & S. A. Southerland (Eds.), Integrating inquiry into the classroom: Myths and Realities. Information Age Publishing.
• Davis, N. T. & Blanchard, M. R. (2004). Collaborative teams in a university statistics course: A case study of how differing value structures inhibit change. School Science and Mathematics, 104(6), 279-287.
Recent Presentations
• Blanchard, M. R., Annetta, L. A., & Southerland, S. A. (2008, April). Investigating the Effectiveness of Inquiry-based versus Traditional Science Teaching Methods in Middle and High School Laboratory Settings. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, Baltimore, MD.
• Blanchard, M. R. (2008, January). ‘Optimal’ inquiry: Four case studies. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Science Teacher Education, St. Louis, MO.
• Grable, L. L. & Blanchard, M. R. (2008, January). Future Ready Science for Middle School: Create a Data-Rich Environment. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers, Baltimore, MD.
• Blanchard, M. R., & Southerland, S. A. (2007, April). No silver bullet: Making sense of teacher change following an inquiry-based research experience for teachers. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, New Orleans, LA.
• Blanchard, M. R., & Davis, N. T. (2006, April). Question analysis as a way to understand inquiry enactment: What do numbers tell us? Paper presented at the meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Francisco, CA
• Sowell, S., Southerland, S.A., & Blanchard, M.R. (2006, April). Who are the “They” in “They say…”? Finding fruitfulness of nature of science within an urban context. Paper presented at the meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, San Francisco, CA.
