Research Agenda
I am interested in researching the ways in which digital technologies can facilitate social justice by linking post-secondary instruction to community issues. While this connection is not immediately apparent, it is at the heart of what is called “collective impact” projects, i.e., the partnership between postsecondary institutions and community organizations to effect social change. Collective impact centers on the idea of bringing diverse groups together to tackle big problems and using evidence to inform decision making and planning over the long run to make strides in solving the problem. This model has been successful in many communities to tackle issues such as childhood obesity, but research in this field is still very young and underdeveloped. Higher education institutions have the opportunity to become the leaders in this field. The research opportunities are numerous, but where I see the highest potential, and why I want to pursue this topic in the Texts and Technology program at the University of Central Florida, is with the development of a model to inform the decision making processes involved in collective impact. My goal is to focus on STEM-based initiatives with the hope of expanding it to multi-disciplinary service-learning programs.
| researchagenda_auberry.pdf |
Collective Impact
Understanding the total impact of a service learning experience from both the student perspective as well as the community organization's perspective is key to creating sustainable projects which create positive change in communities. This idea is what I explored in the following research paper written in fall 2015 for ENG6800 Introduction to Texts & Technology at University of Central Florida.
| collectiveimpact_eng6800_auberry.pdf |
Institutional Projects
Service Learning Professional Learning Community
This work group gathers together faculty members who utilize and are interested in utilizing experiential learning methods in their classroom. I personally work with members to identify issues which should be researched and share relevant materials that I and other members find through research and attendance at conferences on the Experiential Learning LibGuide: http://irsc.libguides.com/experientiallearning
I also maintain the group's website at: http://experientiallearning-irsc.weebly.com/service-learning.html which is used as a communication method of explaining the taxonomy used at IRSC around experiential learning and to share resources and best practices.
Collective Impact Research
The Florida Campus Compact research group has been exploring potential topics of interest to take up as a collective research project for the state. Over the past year, I have been assembling a bibliography of resources of interest to help formulate a better understanding of what a state-wide project could look like and issues to be taken into consideration. One topic which has garnered significant discussion has been the issue of college readiness. An ongoing bibliography is utilized by Dr. Bruce Fraser, Associate Dean of Communications, Humanities, and Social Sciences of IRSC to continue this ongoing important work at the state-wide level.
College Readiness and Community Libraries
The St. Lucie County Library System is dedicated to providing opportunities for children to learn and grow and become better prepared for college. I am working with the children's services department on planning and developing STEM based learning opportunities for kids and teens. I am researching potential resources and models which could be adapted locally to serve the community. Check out the All About STEM LibGuide: http://irsc.libguides.com/AllAboutStem
This work group gathers together faculty members who utilize and are interested in utilizing experiential learning methods in their classroom. I personally work with members to identify issues which should be researched and share relevant materials that I and other members find through research and attendance at conferences on the Experiential Learning LibGuide: http://irsc.libguides.com/experientiallearning
I also maintain the group's website at: http://experientiallearning-irsc.weebly.com/service-learning.html which is used as a communication method of explaining the taxonomy used at IRSC around experiential learning and to share resources and best practices.
Collective Impact Research
The Florida Campus Compact research group has been exploring potential topics of interest to take up as a collective research project for the state. Over the past year, I have been assembling a bibliography of resources of interest to help formulate a better understanding of what a state-wide project could look like and issues to be taken into consideration. One topic which has garnered significant discussion has been the issue of college readiness. An ongoing bibliography is utilized by Dr. Bruce Fraser, Associate Dean of Communications, Humanities, and Social Sciences of IRSC to continue this ongoing important work at the state-wide level.
College Readiness and Community Libraries
The St. Lucie County Library System is dedicated to providing opportunities for children to learn and grow and become better prepared for college. I am working with the children's services department on planning and developing STEM based learning opportunities for kids and teens. I am researching potential resources and models which could be adapted locally to serve the community. Check out the All About STEM LibGuide: http://irsc.libguides.com/AllAboutStem
