Simon Fraser University
Dr. Alyssa Wise
Alyssa Wise Faculty Photo Assistant Professor

My research focuses on the design and use of online environments for learning. Coming from a constructivist perspective on learning, I am interested in the tensions (and overlap) between current “consumer” and “community” models of learning. Specifically I am currently investigating how online environments can provide objects that serve as common referents to support learners from different locations, contexts, etc. in having conversations that lead to deep knowledge building as opposed to information exchange.

Email: alyssa_wise@sfu.ca

2007 Ph.D., Learning Sciences Indiana University
2004 M.S., Instructional Systems Technology Indiana University
1999 B.S., Chemistry Yale University

Selected Publications

Wise, A. F. & O’Neill, D.K. (2009). Beyond “more” versus “less”: A reframing of the debate on instructional guidance. In S. Tobias, & T. M. Duffy (Eds.) Constructivist Instruction: Success or Failure? New York: Routledge, Taylor and Francis.

Wise, A. F., Orrill, C., Duffy, T. M., del Valle, R. & Kirkley, J. (2009). When a peer group isn’t needed: Effective online learning in an individual mentoring model. In L. Moller (Ed.) Learning and Instructional Technologies for the 21st Century: Visions of the Future. (pp. 95-118). New York: Springer.

Wise, A. & Duffy, T.M. (2008). A Framework for Conversation Design to Support the Mutual Development of Tacit & Explicit Knowledge. In R. Luppicini (Ed.) The Handbook of Conversation Design for Instructional Applications (pp. 185-201). Idea Group Incorporated: Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Robinson, J.M., Wise, A. Duffy, & T.M. (2008) Authentic Design and Collaboration:  An Opportunity for Learning Technology Design Teams in the Post Secondary Context. In C. Digiano, S. Goldman and M. Chorost (Eds.) New Designers, New Technology, New Learning: Guiding and Inspiring Creators of Innovative Educational Tools (pp. 80-100). Lawrence Erlbaum: Mahwah, NJ.

Duffy, T.M., Kirkley, J.R., del Valle, R. Malopinsky, L., Scholten, C. Neely, G. Wise, A.F. & Chang, J., (2006) Online Teacher Professional Development: A Learning Architecture. In Chris Dede (Ed.) Online Professional Development for Teachers: Emerging Models and Methods. Harvard Education Press: Cambridge, MA.

Schank, P., & Wise, A. (2006). Introducing High School Students to Nanoscale Science. Forum on Education of the American Physical Society, Summer 2006 Newsletter.

Wise, A. (2005, April) With a Twist: How Scenarios Facilitate Critical and Creative Problem-Solving [White Paper] Bloomington IN: WisdomTools Inc.

Wise, A.F., Chang, J., Duffy, T.M., del Valle, R. (2004). The Effects of Teacher Social Presence on Student Satisfaction, Engagement, and Learning. Journal of Educational Computing Research 31(3), 247-271.

Liu, X., Lee. S. H., Bonk, C. J., Magjuka, R., Kim, K., J., Liu, S., Zhai, M., Su, B., Shi, S., Wise, A., & Doo, M.. (2004, November). Online facilitation in online MBA courses (2,025-2,029).  Proceedings of the E-Learn Conference 2004—World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education, Washington, DC.

Wise, A.F., Chang, J., Duffy, T.M., & del Valle, R. (2004, June). The Effects of Teacher Social Presence on Student Satisfaction, Engagement, and Learning. Proceedings of the International Conference of the Learning Sciences 2004, Santa Monica, CA.

Research and Development Projects

  • Understanding and Designing “Listening” Interaction in Online Learning Conversations
  • New Online Models for Teacher Professional Development
  • NanoSense: The Basic Sense behind Nanoscience
  • Combating Child Labor through Education
  • FASES: Faculty Strategies for Engaging Students
  • Learning to Teach with Technology Studio
  • Online MBA Study Project

Public Presentations/Conferences

Wise, A.F. & Duffy, T.M. (2007, April). Building Knowledge through Online Conversations: A Theoretical Framework With Design Implications. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, April, 2007, Chicago, Illinois.

Duffy, T.M., Kirkley, J. Wise, A. & Orrill, C. (2006, June). Design Strategies for Online Professional Development: Design Processes and Issues of Collaboration, Community, and Access. Paper presented at the First Research Symposium of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology, June 2006, Bloomington, IN.

Wise, A.F. (2006, April) Associate Instructor Teaching Communication Networks: Exchanges of Knowledge, Resources, and Social Support. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Education Research Association, April 2006, San Francisco, CA.

Schank, P., & Wise, A. (2006, April). NanoSense: Introducing High School Students to Nanoscale Science. Poster presented at the NSF Instructional Materials Development Conference, Washington, DC.

Schank, P., Stanford, T., Rosenquist, A., & Wise, A. (2006, April). Teaching Nanoscience to High-School Students: A Tale of the NanoSense Project. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Education Research Association, April 2006, San Francisco, CA.

Wise, A. Rosenquist, A. Stanford, T. & Schank, P. (2006, April). The Many Challenges of Designing and Teaching Nanoscience. Roundtable presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Education Research Association, April 2006, San Francisco, CA.

Wise, A.F., Chang, J., Duffy, T.M. & del Valle, R (2005, April). The Role of Mentoring in Online Learning Environments: The Importance of Social Presence. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, April, 2005, Montreal, Canada.

Wise, A.F. (2005, April). Should I Go to School Today? Attitudes Towards School of Child Labourers in the Dominican Republic. Paper presented at the American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting, April, 2005, Montreal, Canada.

Wise, A.F. (2005, March). The Differences in Articulated and Realized Values of Schooling for Rural Dominican Child Labourers. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Comparative International Education Society, March, 2005, Palo Alto, CA.

Liu, X., Lee. S. H., Bonk, C. J., Magjuka, R., Kim, K., J., Liu, S., Zhai, M., Su, B., Shi, S., Wise, A.F., & Doo, M. (2004, November). Online Facilitation in Online MBA Courses. Paper presented at the E-Learn Conference 2004—World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education, Washington, DC.

Wise, A.F., Chang, J., Duffy, T.M. & del Valle, R. (2004, October). Online Mentoring: The Role of Social Presence in Influencing Learning Outcomes. Paper presented at the Association for Educational Communications and Technology International Convention, October, 2004, Chicago, IL.

Wise, A.F., Chang, J., Kim, N., Lee, S. &  Duffy, T.M. (2004, October). Creating Rich Problem Representations for Learners in Online Problem-Centered Courses: An Application of Flash Animation. Paper presented at the Association for Educational Communications and Technology International Convention, October, 2004, Chicago, IL.

Wise, A.F., Chang, J., Duffy, T.M. & del Valle, R. (2004, June). The Effects of Teacher Social Presence on Student Satisfaction, Engagement, and Learning. Paper presented at the International Conference of the Learning Sciences, June  2004, Santa Monica, CA.

Wise, A.F. & Lee, S. (2004, March). Implementing Problem-Solving and Inquiry in Mathematics and Science. Presented at the Ohio SchoolNet State Technology Conference, March, 2004. Columbus, OH.

Leadership, Faculty Service, Community Service

  • 2007-present: Consulting Editor, Educational Technology Research & Development
  • 2006-present: Reviewer, Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-Based Learning
  • 2005-present: Reviewer, American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting
  • 2005-2006: Faculty Hiring Committee, IU Learning Sciences Department
  • 2005-2006: Reviewer, Educational Technology Research & Development
  • 2006: Session Host, International Conference of the Learning Sciences
  • 2006: Reviewer, International Conference of the Learning Sciences
  • 2005: Faculty Mentor Award Committee, Graduate Women Educators Network
  • 2004: Session Host, Instructional Systems Technology Annual Conference
  • 2003-2004: Reviewer, Instructional Systems Technology Annual Conference
  • 2003: Student Media Fair Judge, Association for Indiana Media Educators
  • 2001-2002: Scholarship Program Coordinator, Zambiza Scholarship Fund
  • 2001-2002: Committee Chair, South American Accreditation Self-Study of Technology

Research Grants

Learning through Group Interactions with Technology ($30,000)

Principal Investigator. Funder: President’s Research Start up Grant (PRSG), SFU

Combating Child Labor through Education in the Dominican Republic ($3,000)

Principal Investigator. Funder: Indiana University International Enhancement Grant

Awards, Honours, Scholarships, Fellowships

  • 2007-2008: SFU Endowed Research Fellowship
  • 2006: Frieda Alice Renfro Dissertation Fellowship
  • 2004: Beechler Academic Fellowship
  • 2002-2006: Indiana University Chancellor’s Fellowship

Selected Teaching & Professional Positions

  • Sept. 2007-Present: Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education, Simon Fraser University
  • 2002-2007: Research Assistant, Center for Research on Learning and Technology, Indiana University
  • 2000-2002: Physics & Computer Teacher, Academia Cotopaxi (Ecuador)
  • 1999-2000: Physics Teacher, Escola Graduada (Brazil)

Courses Taught

  • EDUC 893 Organizational and Social Aspects of Learning Technology Design
  • EDUC 894 Methods for Research and Inquiry in Learning Technologies
  • EDUC 358 Foundations of Educational Technology

Graduate Student Supervision

Poornima Padmanabhan (M.A.)

Last Updated
November 25, 2008
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