Donna Pearson, Ph.D.
Donna Pearson is a faculty member in the Family Education program in the Department of Work, Community, and Family Education and a research associate for the National Research Center for Career and Technical Education (NRCCTE). Having served as the interim coordinator for the Family Education program, she is now focused on the conversion of the parent education licensure program to online delivery. Donna is also a coprincipal investigator for the NRCCTE Math-in-CTE Project, a national-level study funded by the Office of Vocational and Adult Education, U.S. Department of Education. Her teaching and research interests are directed toward the improvement of preservice teacher preparation and teacher development programs.
Teaching Activities
Interests
Pearson's teaching interests include
- preservice teacher preparation,
- teacher development,
- qualitative research methods, and
- research ethics.
University Courses
She has taught the following University of Minnesota courses:
- EdHD 3001: Introduction to Teaching;
- WCFE 5601: Teaching Internship: Introduction;
- WCFE 5602: Teaching Internship: The School Setting;
- WCFE 5603: Teaching Internship: The Classroom Setting;
- WCFE 5604: Teaching Internship;
- WCFE 8141: History and Philosophy of Work, Community, and Family Education;
- WCFE 8911: Foundations of Inquiry;
- WCFE 8913: Interpretive Research; and
- WCFE 8915: Ethics and Responsible Research.
Research Activities
Research Interests
Pearson's research interests include
- integration of academic and vocational education;
- assessment in preservice teacher preparation; and
- increasing access to teacher licensure through online programs.
Fellowship Project
The Family Education Faculty program in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction has elected to undertake an aggressive project of offering its parent education licensure program online. This move is intended to meet a demonstrated need for licensed parent educators in Minnesota, as well as to expand the program to a certificate program available to a national and international audience. This effort will involve the coordination of faculty members and course instructors in the articulation and delivery of the content in ways that will satisfactorily meet student needs and result in the much-needed licensing of parent educators. In its first year, 2004-05, this project will involve the holistic reconceptualization of the existing program and the conversion of one course. This will be followed by a course-by-course conversion over a period of two more years. Guiding questions for the project are:
- How can we use technology to increase student access to licensure programs?
- How do we foster a sense of community among online learners interested in parent education?
- What are the most effective ways to use technology to facilitate successful practicum experiences in preparation of licensed educators?
- How should faculty and instructors collaborate to assure student outcomes?
Consultation Areas
Pearson is available to consult with faculty members about the use of WebCT to enhance instruction in traditional courses and about processes for reconceptualizing existing programs for online delivery.
Contact Information
To schedule a consultation appointment, contact Pearson:
- Office: 460 Vocational and Technical Education building
- Telephone: (612) 625-5229
- E-mail: pears004@umn.edu
