Curriculum Vitae

Susan O'Hara, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Instructional Technology
Department of Teacher Education
California State University, Sacramento

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EDUCATION

Ph.D. Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education, University of California Davis, September 18th 2000. Dissertation thesis: Exploration of the Relationships Among one Teachers Beliefs, Behavioral Intentions and Behavior with Respect to the Integration of Computer Technology into the Teaching/Learning Setting.

MA Applied Mathematics, University of Southern California, 1995. Masters qualifying examinations in probability and statistics; real analysis, and complex analysis

BA Mathematics and Mathematical Physics, University College Dublin, Ireland. 1988.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Fall 2000-Present. Assistant Professor. Department of Teacher Education, California State University Sacramento.

1999-2000. Guest Lecturer. Masters Program in Irish Studies, New College, San Francisco. Lecture on qualitative research methodology for masters students. The course was designed to provide masters students with both qualitative and quantitative research skills, and to oversee the progress of their masters theses.

1999-2000. Instructor. Division of Education, University of California, Davis. Co-taught an integrated art education and science education methods course. This course was designed to model a process for integrating science and art into their curriculum. Within this methods course students will experience and create lessons where the teaching of literacy and mathematics knowledge are woven seamlessly in with the processes, knowledge and skills found in the sciences and arts. This is particularly important in a climate where teachers are expected to spend most of their teaching day addressing the literacy and mathematical needs of their students.

1996-1999. Teaching Assistant. Division of Education, University of California, Davis. I was a teaching assistant and I co-taught a technology in education course to teacher credential students. This course was designed to introduce teaching credential students to various instructional uses of computers in the teaching/learning setting. The course was designed for both multiple subjects and secondary students in mathematics, science, and language. I was primarily responsible for providing students with a model for integrating computer technology into their science and mathematics lessons.

1998-1999. Instructor. Division of Education, University of California, Davis. Co-taught an integrated methods course for science, mathematics, technology and language, as part of the collaborative credential program between University of California Davis and California State University Sacramento.

Summer 1997. Instructor. Division of Education, University of California, Davis. Taught a class designed to introduce both in-service and pre-service teachers to various instructional uses of computer technology. The main goal of this course was to model for students a process for designing and implementing technology supported learning environments.

Summer 1998. Instructor. Division of Education, University of California, Davis. Taught a class designed to introduce both in-service and pre-service teachers to various instructional uses of computer technology. The main goal of this course was to model for students a process for designing and implementing technology supported learning environments.

1995-1996. Adjunct Faculty. Mathematics Department, Golden Gate University, San Francisco, California. Taught Algebra and Statistics to undergraduate students. Augmented both of these courses with appropriate technology.

1995-1996. Mathematics Instructor. Mathematics Department, Los Medanos Community College, Pittsburg, California. I taught a variety of courses including Geometry, Algebra, Statistics, and Differential equations.

1991-1994. Teaching Assistant. Mathematics Department, University of Southern California, Los Angeles. I was a teaching assistant for a variety of mathematics courses including Pre Calculus, Calculus, Statistics and Probability, Real Analysis, and Complex Analysis.

1987-1989. Teacher. Ireland. I taught students in the equivalent of grades 6-8 mathematics and general science. I helped prepare students for the Intermediate Examination, a national examination taken at the end of 9th grade. I also taught Physics to 11th and 12th grade students.

RESEARCH

Grants

1998-Present:  Statistical Consultant. CREDE Project, University of California Davis. Principal Investigator Dr. Patricia Gandara. This study examines how adolescents from different ethnic groups form their expectations about schooling and their post-secondary aspirations during the four years of high school, with a focus on how peers and families help to shape these attitudes and aspirations. It looks at students from both urban and rural contexts, and it uses ethnographic, survey, and interview/focus group data to provide a textured picture of the development of post-secondary aspirations of African American, Southeast Asian, Latino, and European American youth over time. We look at the differences among groups by age, gender, and urbancity, and we find that there are important and interesting differences among these groups about which education policy makers should be acutely aware if they hope to create interventions that may help these students to be more successful in school. I have conducted both quantitative and qualitative analyses of the data collected for the CREDE project, presented data analysis, co-authored reports and articles to disseminate the findings from this project.

2001-2002. Intel Teach to the Future. Co-Principal Investigators: Dr. Jeanne Pfeifer and Dr. Susan O'Hara. It is our intent, through Intel "Teach to the Future" not only to have a large number of our faculty trained with specific technology tools, but also to provide them with ideas and resources which would allow them to make their teaching more powerful through the use of technology. Not only will the student teachers benefit from this, but also the cooperating teachers and the students in the K-12 classrooms.

2000-2001. Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers for Using Technology (PT3). Co-Principal Investigators: Dr. Jeanne Pfeifer, Dr. Mike Menchaca, and Dr. Susan O'Hara. A three-year U.S. Department of Education Grant. Teacher training is a partnership between the university and school placements. The purpose of the grant is to continue our past partnerships and provide greater solidification by jointly developing curriculum which is enhanced by technology and that may be used in methods courses or in the field by teachers and student teachers. This will be accomplished by creating design teams around the typical course work in teacher education (literacy, math, science, social studies and foundations). Each design team will have two teachers, a technology mentor, a College of Education faculty member and a university faculty member from Arts and Sciences. During the course of the grant activities, participants will have an opportunity to learn more about technology and its integration into the curriculum.

1999-2000. Dissertation: Funded by the University of California, Davis. An exploration of the relationships between one teachers beliefs, behavioral intentions, and behavior, with respect to the integration of computer technology into the teaching/learning setting. Dissertation fellowship funded by University of California, Davis.

1999-2001. Return of the Salmon Project, University of California, Davis. Evaluation Specialist. Principal Investigators Dr. Joyce Gutstein and Dr. Maureen McMahon. Funded by the Environmental Protection Agency. As part of a research team I facilitated middle school teachers and informal educators in the design and implementation of an environmental based, integrated curriculum, with a Putah-Creek bio region focus.

1996-2000. Project WRITE, Division of Education, University of Davis, California and University of Maryland, College Park. Evaluation Specialist. Principal Investigator, Dr. William Holliday. Funded by the Texaco Foundation. As part of a research team I documented the design and implementation of a science-based, integrated curriculum at a rural upper elementary school. I gathered both qualitative and quantitative data and analyzed the data with different foci.

1996-1998 Research Assistant. Puente Project, Language Minority Research Institute (LMRI) University of California, Davis. Principal Investigator Dr. Patricia Gandara. Over the course of two years I have provided statistical support for the Puente project. I analyzed quantitative data gathered about students as they progress through ninth, tenth, and eleventh grades.

Summer 1997 Research Assistant. Nexus Project, UCOP, California. I completed a qualitative study of a technology workshop for in-service teachers.

1996-1997 Research Assistant. Arbor, University of California, Davis. Worked with faculty members from numerous departments on campus to design studies to assess and evaluate the use of instructional technology at UC Davis.

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

Peer Reviewed Publications

Chung, C., O'Hara, S. & Rodriguez, M. (In Press). Building a Community of Practice in Electronic Portfolios. Proceedings of the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE).

Gandara, P., O'Hara, S.; Guiterriez, D. (2004).The Changing Shape of Aspirations: Peer Influence on Achievement Behavior. In School Connections: U.S. Mexican Youth, Peersu and School Achievement . Editors Gibson, M, Gandara, P, and Koyama, J. Teachers College Press.

O'Hara, S and  McMahon, M. (2003). NETS Grades 6-8 Multidisciplinary Resource Units .  International Society for Technology in Education

O'Hara, S., Hammond, L. & Lambating, L. (2003). Designing an Exemplary Model for Technology Infusion within a Teacher Preparation Program. Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2003 (1), 3744-3747.

O'Hara, S., & Rodriguez, M. (2003). Developing E-Portfolio Systems in Teacher Education. Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2003 (1), 2162-2163.

O’Hara, S and  McMahon, M. (Editors). (2003) NETS Grades 6-8 Multidisciplinary Resource Units.  International Society for Technology in Education

O'Hara, S. (2003) Authentic Assessment and Rubric Design. In NETS Grades 6-8 Multidisciplinary Resource Units.  International Society for Technology in education

O'Hara, S. (2003) Musical Interpretation through Multimedia. In NETS Grades 6-8 Multidisciplinary Resource Units.  International Society for Technology in Education

O'Hara, S. and Pfeiffer Jeanne (2003) Behind the Walls. In NETS Grades 6-8 Multidisciplinary Resource Units.  International Society for Technology in Education

Hammond, L., and O'Hara, S. (2003) Mathematics in the Garden. In NETS Grades 6-8 Multidisciplinary Resource Units.  International Society for Technology in Education

O’Hara, S. and McMahon, M. (2002) Imagineering Disney Style. In NETS Grades 3-5 Multidisciplinary Resource Units.  Hannah, L., Menchacha, M., McVicker, B. Editors International Society for Technology Educators

O’Hara, S. (2002) Using Technology in Different Settings: How Many Computers do you Have? In NETS Grades 3-5 Multidisciplinary Resource Units. Hannah, L., Menchacha, M., McVicker, B. Editors International Society for Technology Educators

O'Hara, S., and Jones, R.  (2002) Perspectives In NETS Grades 3-5 Multidisciplinary Resource Units.  Hannah, L., Menchacha, M., McVicker, B. Editors International Society for Technology Educators

Gandara, P., Guiterriez, D., O'Hara, S (2001). Planning for the future in rural and urban schools. Jespar. January Issue, 2001.

McMahon, M.M., O'Hara, S.P., Holliday, W.G., Gibson, E.M., McCormack, B.B. (2000), Science is the Magnet, Science and Children. June Issue 2000.

McMahon, M., O'Hara, S., Gibson, E., Musetti, B. (1999). Quinto: An electronic network for teachers. Meridian: A Middle School Computer Technology Journal

Non Peer Reviewed Publications

O’Hara, S. (2001). A Case Study of the relationships Among one Teacher's Beliefs, Behavioral Intentions, and Behavior with Respect to the Integration of Computer Technology into the Teaching/Learning Setting. Dissertation Abstracts International, Ann Arbor, MI.

O'Hara, S. (1998). A case study of attitudinal effects of Internet use in a middle school, science-based, integrated curriculum. Eric Publications. Ed 417 978, 1998.

McCormack, B., O'Hara, S., Gibson, E, and McMahon M. (1997). Reform in one community: Factors in establishing a foundation. Eric Publications, ED413142. 1997.

Professional Manuscripts Submitted

O'Hara, S. and Pritchard, R. (In Review) Hypermedia authoring as a vehicle for academic vocabulary development in a middle school, ESL classroom. Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy . (tab 4)

O'Hara, S. and Pritchard, R. (In Review) Using hypermedia authoring to promote vocabulary development. TESOL Quarterly

Pritchard, R. and O'Hara, S. (In Review) Reading in Spanish and English: A comparative study of reading strategies. Bilingual Research Journal.

Pritchard, R. and O'Hara, S. (In Review). Using think-alouds to identify and teach reading comprehension strategies. TESOL Quarterly

Selected Presentations

O'Hara, S. and Pritchard, R. (2004). Innovative Practices for Enhancing the Academic Vocabulary Acquisition of Seventh Grade ESL Students . Presentation at the annual conference for the California Association for Bilingual Education. San Jose

William-White, L. and O'Hara, S. (2004). The Road Since Brown: What Has Social Science Research Taught Us About Black Student Self-Concept and Achievement? Paper presentation at the annual conference for the American Educational Research Association. San Diego .

Hammond, L., Lambating, J, and O'Hara, S. (2003) Creating a Middle Ground between university and classrooms, teacher education and k-8 education, and language minority and mainstream communities through a transformative science, math, and technology methods course. Paper presentation at the annual conference for the National Association for Research in Science Education. Philadelphia

O’Hara, S., Hammond, L., and Lambating, J. (2003). Designing an Exemplary Model for Preparing Teachers to use Technology in Diverse Classrooms: Technology and English Language Learners Paper Accepted for Presentation at the annual conference of the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE). March 2003.

Hammond, L., Lambating, J, and O’Hara, S. (2003) Creating a Middle Ground between university and classrooms, teacher education and k-8 education, and language minority and mainstream communities through a transformative science, math, and technology methods course. Paper accepted for presentation at the annual conference for the National Association for Research in Science Education. Philadelphia

O'Hara, S. and McMahon, M. (2002). Literacy through science: primary source documents offer unique support. Paper Presentation at the 2002 Annual Conference for the California Science Teaching Association. San Francisco

O'Hara, S. and Pfeifer, J. (2002). A Model for Technology Integration and Faculty Professional Development in Higher Education. Teleconference Interactive Presentation to the Annual Convention on technology in Higher education at Peking University. China.

O'Hara, S. and Pfeifer, J. (2002). An Investigation of the Role Faculty Beliefs Play in Integrating Effective Instructional technology practices into Teacher Preparation Programs. Paper accepted for presentation at the 2002 International Conference on Social Sciences. Hawaii.

O'Hara, S. and McMahon, M. (2002). Looking through a Teacher Beliefs lens: Elementary Teachers Successfully Teaching Science via Teacher-Driven Science Based Integration Paper presented at the 2002 annual conference for the National Association for Research in Science Teaching. New Orleans, LA.

Feldman, C. O'Hara, S. and McMahon, M. Collaboration among Formal and Informal educators to Promote Science Literacy for Middle School Students through an Environmental Education Project . Poster Presented at the 2002 annual conference for the National Association for Research in Science Teaching. New Orleans, LA.

O'Hara, S. and Jones, R. (2001) Connecting Teachers through Technology Presentation Accepted for the Leaders to Leaders Conference. Sacramento, California.

O’Hara, S., Pfeifer, J., Lee, V, Nance, M. (2001) Using Technology to Forge K-16 Partnerships. Paper Presentation at the 2001 annual conference California K-16 Partnerships and Student Success. Long Beach, CA.

O'Hara, S. and Pfeifer, J. (2001). Transforming Education: A Collaborative Model for Teacher Education. Presentation at the 2001 annual Capitol CUE conference. Elk Grove, California.

Gandara, P, O'Hara, S., Gutierrez, D., Williams White, L. (2001) Peers and Families as factors in Post-Secondary Decisions Paper Presented at the UC Accord Invitational Book Conference, San Jose, California.

McMahon, M., O'Hara, S. (2001). Web-based National Digital Library Photo and Documentation Collections Bring Science Learning to Life. Paper Presentation at the 2001 annual conference for the National Science Teachers Association. St. Louis

O'Hara, S., Pfeifer, J. (2001) Talking Walls: Multicultural Awareness Paper presented at the Seventh Annual Multicultural Education Conference. Sacramento, CA.

O’Hara, S. (2000). Language and Cultural Identity: An Irish Perspective. Guest Lecture. New College of California. San Francisco

O'Hara, S., McMahon, M., Gibson, E., McCormack-Musetti, B. (2000). Cultivating scientific literacy Paper  presented at the 2000 annual conference for the National Association for Research in Science Teaching. New Orleans, LA.

McCormack-Musetti, B., McMahon, M., O'Hara, S., (2000). Social and Pedagogical Consequences of Proposition 227 Paper presented at the 2000 annual conference for the American Education Research Association. New Orleans, LA

O’Hara, S. (1999). An Analysis of the Social and Educational Policy Implications of Creating Policy on Language use in Schools. Presentation at the University of California Policy Studies. Berkeley, California.

O'Hara, S., McMahon, M., Gibson, E., McCormack-Musetti, B. (1999). A Case Study of the Role of Teacher Beliefs in the Design and Implementation of an Integrated Curriculum Paper presented at the 1999 annual conference for the National Association for Research in Science Teaching. Boston, MA.

O'Hara, S. McMahon, M., Gibson, E., McCormack-Musetti, B., Fridae, K., Christensen, O. (1999). Project WRITE (World Resources for Integrated Thematic Education): Teachers tell their story. Paper presented at the 1999 Annual convention for the National Science Teachers Association. Boston, MA.

McCormack, B.M., O'Hara, S.P., McMahon, M.M., Gibson, E.M. (1999). Native American Basket Weaving within a Science-Based Integrated Curriculum. World Indigenous People's Conference on Education: Culture, Language and Science Strand, Hawaii.

McMahon, M., O'Hara, S., Gibson, E., McCormack-Musetti, B. (1999). Fifth grade teacher team engaged in a science-based integrated curriculum: Technology tool proves indispensable. Paper presented at the 1999 annual conference for the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, Boston, MA.

McMahon, M., O'Hara, S., Gibson, E., McCormack-Musetti, B. (1999). Fifth grade teacher team's journey into community science-based integrated curriculum. Paper presented at the 1999 annual conference for The Association for the Education of Teachers in Science. Austin, Texas.

Gibson, E., McMahon, M., O'Hara, S. (1998) Integrated curriculum as a catalyst for change in fifth grade student attitudes toward science. Paper presented at the 1998 annual conference for The National Association for Research in Science Teaching. San Diego, California.

O'Hara, S. (1997). Project Nexus: An ethnographic study of a two-week pilot technology workshop for in-service teachers. Paper presented at the UC Office of the President conference. Oakland, CA.

O'Hara, S. (1997). A rationale for faculty to include an evaluation component in integrating technology into instruction. Presentation at the Summer Institute of Instructional Technology. Davis, California.

McCormack, B., O'Hara, S. (1997). Factors in establishing a firm foundation for reform: A case study. Paper presented at the National Rural Educators Conference. Tucson, Arizona.

SERVICES

Reviewer for the Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 2002

Session provider at the annual conference for the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, 2001

Chair of the New Researchers Committee for the National Association of Research in Science Teaching, 2001

Session Presider, Annual Conference of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, 1999.

FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS

1999 Doctoral Research Support Fellowship. ($10,000)

1999 Doctoral Teacher Education Fellowship. ($1000.00). Supervised multiple subject and secondary teachers through a mentor ship with an experienced student teacher supervisor.

2002 Paper nominated for the Paper of the Year award, National Association of Research in Science Teaching, National Convention.

1998 Paper nominated for the Paper of the Year award, National Association of Research in Science Teaching, National Convention.

1997 Paper nominated for the Paper of the Year Award, National Association of Research in Science Teaching, National Convention.

1992 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, University of Southern California

1993 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, University of Southern California

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES AND AFFILIATIONS

Member, American Educational Research Association

Member, National Science Teachers Association

Member, California Science Teachers Association

Member, International Society for Technology in Education

Member, Computer Using Educators