Category: Consulting

Rockman staff often consult with educational organizations or agencies on issues ranging from the use of technology in schools to organizational planning and development to ways to scale up an intervention. We work with district technology directors and program managers as well as company education directors, product developers, and marketing staff.

21st Century Biology The 21st Century Biology project provided long-term teacher professional development for Utah high school teachers. Three cohorts of 24 teachers participated in a 2-week intensive Summer Institute that * updated their content knowledge for topics covered by the five Utah Core Curriculum Standards; * offered opportunities to interact with University scientists, provided experiences in inquiry-based learning; * highlighted topics relevant to students’ lives; * modeled culturally-sensitive instruction; * incorporated appropriate use of technology; * engaged them in learning curriculum design models and developing model lessons; and * facilitated formation of professional learning groups. Teachers then participated in follow-up workshops to continue the work begun during the Summer Institute. more» Client: University of Utah: Genetic Science Learning Center (GSLC) Funding Agency: Utah State Office of Education Topic: Assessment, Instructional Materials/Programs, Professional Development

Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration: Vistas Project REA completed a two-year study of the Lake Coastal Waters Project, a partnership with schools in the Lake Coastal Waters of northern Indiana funded by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Science classes in five schools participated in a community-centered science inquiry, exploring environmental issues on the northern edge of Lake Michigan. Students investigated specific problems, and, based on their research, offered viable solutions to enhance the ecology of the lake coastal area. more» Client: Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC) Funding Agency: Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC) Topic: Assessment, Instructional Materials/Programs, Community Outreach, Technology and Education, Distance Learning

Critical Choices Rockman et al worked in conjunction with an internal evaluator at Northern Illinois University to evaluate the development of an online program to teach soft skills (time management, conflict resolution, professional behavior, etc.) to unemployed and underemployed individuals. more» Client: Northern Illinois University Funding Agency: U.S. Government: Learning Anytime, Anywhere Program Topic: Informal Learning, Web Sites, Technology and Education, Distance Learning

Evaluation of QUEST QUEST is an effort by KQED to tap into the region’s interest in science, environment, and nature, to provide entertaining and informative content about current local issues in science-environment-nature and to engage the greater Bay Area in conversations about and actions for these issues. Rockman et al evaluated pilot materials — including pieces for radio and TV, educational outreach workshops, and descriptive materials for a Web site. more» Client: KQED Public Television Funding Agency: KQED Public Television Topic: Informal Learning

Evaluation of QUEST - 2 QUEST is a science and nature show based in the northern California geographic area. Launched by San Francisco PBS station KQED in February 2007, the show is broadcast on three media platforms, including television, radio, and the web. The project also involves partnerships with Bay Area science organizations and educational outreach. Content of the show focuses on nine areas: astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering, environment, geology, health, physics and weather. more» Client: KQED Public Television Funding Agency: KQED Public Television Topic: Informal Learning

Media in Informal Science Rockman et al was asked by the National Research Council to write a paper on adults' media-based learning in informal science. The paper included a comprehensive review of evaluation reports and articles on informal science education media and applicable learning theories. more» Client: National Academy of Sciences (NAS)/ National Research Council (NRC) Funding Agency: National Academy of Sciences (NAS)/ National Research Council (NRC) Topic: Informal Learning, TV/Radio, Informational Media

Pacific Film Archive: CineFile The Pacific Film Archive (PFA) received an Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant to create an online film resource to increase K-20 classroom access to their archives. REA is evaluating the PFA's efforts to collect data from audiences and make design choices based on these data. more» Client: Pacific Film Archive Funding Agency: Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Topic: Instructional Materials/Programs, Museum, Web Sites, Community Outreach, Technology and Education

Research and Evaluation Services REA provided research and evaluation services to Education Station, a private educational service provider, these services included the development of research validation documents for its programs, establishing the reliability and validity of its assessment instruments, quasi-experimental research studies of its services, and customer satisfaction surveys. more» Client: Education Station Funding Agency: Education Station Topic: School Reform, Assessment, Instructional Materials/Programs, School Services

School Improvement Media Rockman et al worked with the George Lucas Education Foundation and Vulcan Productions to conduct an evaluation of school improvement media resources for various educational audiences. more» Client: George Lucas Educational Foundation and Vulcan Productions Funding Agency: George Lucas Educational Foundation and Vulcan Productions Topic: School Reform

Technology Roadmap At the request of a multi-campus independent school, REA explored how schools could best use the growing technology resources spread over the several campuses. We created a roadmap for the application of technology to support teaching, learning, and management. more» Client: Policy Analysis and System Evaluation (PASE) Funding Agency: Kamehameha Schools Topic: School Reform, Technology and Education, Public/Educational Policy

TLCF: Technology Literacy Challenge Fund REA staff developed an evaluation handbook and conducted a series of workshops for the Indiana Department of Education to help prepare TLCF grant recipients to perform effective evaluations of their programs. more» Client: Indiana Department of Education Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Education: TLCF Grant Program Topic: Professional Development