Sandi Cooper, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Curriculum & Instruction

Baylor University
School of Education
One Bear Place #97314
Waco, TX 76798
Phone: 254-710-3246
fax: 254-710-3160
Email: Sandra_Cooper@Baylor.edu
Website: http://homepages.baylor.edu/sandra_cooper

Degrees:
1994, Ph.D., Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
1988, M.A., Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana
1985, B.A., Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana

Principal Publications
Ponticell, J. A., Thomas, J.A., Cooper, S.B. (2006). Conflict in staff development implementation: A case study. Journal of School Public Relations, 27(2), 147 – 160.

Runnels, M.K., Thomas, J.A., Lan, W.Y., Cooper, S.B., & Ahern, T. (2006). New models of learning: A review of research about the use of technology in online courses. Review of Education Research. 76 (1): 93-135.

Ahern, T., Thomas, J. A., Tallent-Runnels, M.. K., Lan, W. Y., Cooper, S., Cyrus, J., & Lu, X. (2006). The effect of social grounding on collaboration in a computer-mediated small group discussion. The Internet and Higher Education.9(1):37-46.

Tallent-Runnels, M. K., Lan, W. Y., Fryer, W., Thomas, J. A., Cooper, S., & Wang, K. (2005). The relationship between problems with technology and graduate students' evaluations of online teaching. The Internet and Higher Education, (8) 167-174.

Runnels, M.K., Cooper, S.B., Thomas, J.A., Lan, W.Y.,& Busby, C. (2005). How to teach online: What the research says. Distance Learning, 2(1): 21-27.

Thomas, J. & Cooper, S. (2004). Preparing tomorrow's teachers to teach with technology: Getting past Go in science and mathematics. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education [Online serial], 4(3).Available: http://www.citejournal.org/vol4/iss3/currentpractice/article2.cfm

Thomas, J.A., Cooper, S.B., & Haukos, D. (2004). Skateboards or wildlife? Wetland problem solving. Science and Children, 41(7): 20-24.

Lan, W., Tallent-Runnels, M.K., Fryer,W., Thomas, J., Cooper, S., & Wang, K. (2003). An examination of the relationship between technology problems and teaching evaluation of online instruction. Internet and Higher Education, 6: 365-375. Available: http://authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S1096751603000563.

Cooper, S.B. (2001). Benefits of a technology committee in a teacher education course. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 9 (1), 75-82.

Thomas, J.A. & Cooper, S.B. (2000) Teaching technology: A new opportunity for pioneers in teacher education. Journal of Computing in Teacher Education, 17 (1), 13-19.

Research interests
My research interests include integration of math and science, working with families in math and science learning, integration of technology, preservice teachers' understanding of children's thinking, informal education, and professional development through lesson study.

Philosophy
As a teacher, I am interested in being a facilitator of a student's growth toward professional goals. I try to encourage students to be creative in educational learning experiences so that it is more personalized to their needs, interests, and future applications. I'm interested in students becoming decision makers based upon their knowledge and judgements and I try to provide avenues for them to develop these skills.

National Leadership
Co-Executive Director, School Science and Mathematics Association, 2006-2011
Conference Program Chair, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Regional Conference, 2008
Conference Program Chair, Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators Conference, 2007

Specialized Training
Mathematics TEKS Refinement, Grade Bands K-5 (Training for Trainers Modules, 2006)
Mathematics TEKS Connections, Grade Bands K-5 (Training for Trainers Modules, 2007)
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics NCATE SPA Reviewer (Training, 2006)

Courses Taught
TED 4326 - Teaching Math in the Elementary Grades