Simon Fraser University
Dr. Cheryl Amundsen
Cheryl Amundsen Faculty Photo Associate Professor

Cheryl Amundsen is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University. Her primary program area is Educational Technology and Learning Design. Previous and ongoing research has focused on how university professors develop pedagogical knowledge in relationship to their subject matter, how they come to understand teaching (including graduate supervision), how they make instructional decisions including the integration of various technology applications and the effects of these from the learner’s perspective.

Research Web Site: http://doc-work.mcgill.ca/

Email: camundsa@sfu.ca

1988 Ph.D. (Educational Technology) Concordia University
1979 M.Ed. (Learning Disabilities) University of Alaska
1971 B.A. (Psychology) University of Washington

Teaching and Professional Positions (Selected)

1998-present
Associate Professor Faculty of Education,

Simon Fraser University.

-Coordinator, Graduate Programs in Ed Tech and Learning Design (1990-02; 2007-present)

-Director, Institute for the Study of TEaching and learning in the  Disciplines (2007-present)

1988-98
Associate/Assistant Professor

Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology (25%) and the Centre for University Teaching and Learning (75%), McGill University.

1979-84
Assistant Professor (non-tenure track)

Special Education Master’s Degree Program, Faculty of Education, University of Alaska, Anchorage.

1973-78
Teacher

Secondary Special Education Program for learning disabled and gifted students, Anchorage Borough School District, Anchorage, Alaska and Kenai Borough School District, Kenai, Alaska.

Publications (Selected)

McAlpine, L., Amundsen, C., Clement, M., & Light, G. (2009, in press). Challenging the assumptions of what we do as academic developers. Journal of Continuing Studies, 31(3).

Amundsen, C., & McAlpine, L. (2009, in press). Learning supervision: Trial by fire? Innovations in Education and Teaching International.

McAlpine, L., & Amundsen, C. (2009). Identity and agency: Pleasures and collegiality among the challenges of the doctoral journey. Journal of Continuing Studies, 31(2).

Amundsen, C., Weston, C., & McAlpine, L. (2008). Concept Mapping to Support University Academics’ Analysis of Course Content. Studies in Higher Education, 33(6), 633-652.

Amundsen, C., & Shobat, E. (2008). Computer mediated communication in higher education: The untapped learning potential. In Kirk St.Amant and Sigrid Kelsey (Eds.), Handbook of Research on Computer Mediated Communication Volume 1 (pp. 1-14), Pennsylvania: IGI Global.

McAlpine, L., & Amundsen, C. (2007). Academic communities and developing identity: The doctoral student journey. In P.B. Richards (Ed.), Global Issues in Higher Education. (pp. 57-83). New York: Nova Science Publishers.

Saroyan, A., Amundsen, C., McAlpine, L., Weston, C., Winer, L., & Gandell, T. (2006). Un modèle de développement pédagogique pour l’enseignement universitaire. In N. Rege Colet and M. Romainville (Eds.), La pratique enseignante en mutation dans l’enseignement supérieur (pp. 171-184). Bruxelles: De Boeck & Larcier.

Saroyan, A., & Amundsen, C. (Eds.) (2004). Rethinking Teaching in Higher Education: From Course Design Workshop to a Framework for Faculty Development. Virginia: Stylus Publishing.

Bures, E., Amundsen, C., Abrami, P. (2002). Motivation to learn via computer conferencing (CC): Exploring how task-specific motivation and CC expectations are related to student acceptance of learning via CC. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 27(3), 249-264.

Saroyan, A., & Amundsen, C. (2001). Evaluating university teaching: Time to take stock. Assessment and Evaluation, 26(4), 341-353.

Peer Reviewed Presentations/Conferences (Selected)

Amundsen, C. & McAlpine, L. (2009, April). Negotiating community expectations and practices: Experiences of new graduate supervisors. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association (AERA), San Diego, CA.

Amundsen, C., & McAlpine, L. (2008, June). Review of the Faculty Development Literature: A Characterization of Thinking and Practice. Paper presented at the International Council of Educational Developers (ICED), Salt Lake City.

McAlpine, L., & Amundsen, C. (2008, May). ‘Learning supervision’: Trial by fire? Paper presented at the Canadian Society of Studies in Higher Education (CSSHE), Vancouver.

McAlpine, L., & Amundsen, C. (2007, August). Academic communities and developing identity: The doctoral student journey. Paper presented at the European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction (EARLI), Budapest.

Amundsen, C., Weston, C., & McAlpine, L. (2005, August). Course design and teaching development: Multiple windows for understanding impact. Paper presented at the European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction (EARLI), Cyprus.

Amundsen, C. (2005, May). Does the notion of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning hold meaning for Distance Educators? Invited preconference speaker at the annual meeting of the Canadian Association of Distance Educators (CADE). Vancouver.

Amundsen, C., Abrami, P., McAlpine, L., Weston, C., Krbavac, M., Mundy, A., & Wilson, M. (2005, April). The what and why of faculty development in higher education: A synthesis of the literature. Paper presented at the American Educational Research Association (AERA), (Faculty Teaching, Development and Evaluation SIG), Montreal.

Harris, R., & Amundsen, C. (2004, July). Engineering education technology – who needs it? Paper presented to the Engineering Education Association of Canada, Montreal.

Research and Development Funding (Selected)

2008-2009
The Faculty Development Literature: A Characterization of Practice and the Thinking Underpinning Practice. ($2500. from the Educational Developers Caucus of the Society for the Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE)). Funding to complete a literature review. (C. Amundsen (PI))
2007-2010
Institute for the Study of Teaching and Learning in the Disciplines. Start up funding from the VP Academic’s office to establish the Institute. (C. Amundsen, Director)
2006-2009
Reframing Canadian social sciences and humanities doctoral programs: A learning perspective. (SSHRC, $156,858.). (McAlpine (PI); Amundsen, Paré; Starke-Meyerring).
2003-2006
A faculty development approach that focuses on learning for the effective integration of technology in higher education. (SSHRC, $179,384.). (Amundsen (PI); Weston; Abrami; McAlpine).
1999-01
Characteristics of effective online instruction. (Network for the Evaluation of Educational and Training Technologies (EVNet – a SSHRC funded network, $13,000.). (Weston (PI), Amundsen)

Reports and Policy Documents (Selected)

Niu, H., & Amundsen, C. (2007). What’s up doc? The high attrition rates among Canadian doctoral students. A Lessons in Learning publication of the Canadian Council on Learning, Vancouver.

Amundsen, C., & Fettes, M. (2006). Proposal for an Institute for the Study of Teaching and Learning in the Disciplines. Final proposal submitted to VPA, Dr. John Waterhouse, after extensive consultations over a 2-year period throughout the Univeresity. (Passed by SCUP unanimously-Jan. ‘07. Forwarded to the SFU Senate for Feb. ‘07 meeting.)

Amundsen, C., & Dunlop, C. (2006). Assessment of the SFU Undergraduate Curriculum Initiative: Final report of Phase 1. Presented to the Task Force for the SFU Undergraduate Curriculum Initiative.

Graduate Student Supervision – students who have graduated

Ph.D. (as Senior Supervisor)

McCaughan, Kareen (2008). Problem-based learning tutors’ beliefs and challenges.

Moxness, Katherine. (2001) Individual instructor’s perceptions of teaching context: Identifying facilitators and barriers to completion of teaching projects.

Barise, Abdullahi. (1998) The effectiveness of case-based instruction vs. the lecture-discussion method in multicultural social work.

Gryspeerdt, Danielle. (1997) Factors influencing change in the conceptualization and practice of university teaching: Two case studies of novice instructors.

Ed.D. (as Senior Supervisor)

Edwards, Barbara (2009) It takes a village: Perceptions of the SFU research assistant experience.

McComb, Tina. (2007). “I won’t, I might, I am”: Undergraduate women and Stages of Change for participation in leadership development activities.

Ka’ahanui, Kamuela. (2003) Post-secondary counselling preferences among native Hawaiians.

M.A. (as Senior Supervisor)

Mundy, Amrit (2008) A Comparison of course outlines before and after a faculty development workshop.

Vogt, Krista (2007) Leadership development at university: Comparing student leaders with different levels of involvement in a leadership program.

Krbavac, Marie (2006) An examination of mathematics self-efficacy and performance: A classroom research study.

Manuputty, Richard. (2000) Enhancing student self-assessment through criterion-reference evaluation: An action-research study in teaching and learning writing at Pattimura University Ambon, Indonesia.

Price, Nancy. (1997) An investigation of the relationships between learning context, student approach to learning and student learning outcomes in distance education.

Joly, Michelle. (1995) A comparative analysis of approaches to course design and development in distance education.

Rogerson, Helene. (1993) Investigation of the instructional role of fax and electronic mail in three distance education courses with differing learning goals.

Gryspeerdt, Danielle. (1991) The effects of prior knowledge on meaningful learning in the university classroom.

Courses Taught

Simon Fraser University

  • EDUC 260: Learning and Teaching through Technology
  • EDUC 325: Assessment in Classroom Teaching
  • EDUC 401/402: Studies of Educational Theory and Practice/Intro to Classroom Teaching
  • EDUC 687: Qualitative Research Methods in Education
  • EDUC 809: Master Seminar: Education and Technology
  • EDUC 811: Field Projects in Educational Technology
  • EDUC 851: Perspectives on Technology Supported Learning
  • EDUC 891: Learning Design in Technology Mediated Environments
  • EDUC 902: Doctoral Seminar (Curriculum and Instruction Program)
  • EDUC 950: Research Paradigms in Education A
  • EDUC 951: Research Paradigms in Education B

Leadership and Faculty Service (Selected)

External

2005-07
(Chair) Faculty Teaching, Development and Evaluation SIG of AERA.
2001-03
(Co-Chair) Program Committee for AERA 2002, 2003 – Faculty Teaching, Evaluation and Development SIG of AERA.
2007
Reviewer, Canadian Journal of Higher Education
2006-07
Reviewer, Educational Research Review
2004, 2006
Reviewer, International Journal of Academic Development
1999, 2000
Reviewer, Alberta Journal of Education

SFU – University Level

2008-09
(Member) Teaching and Learning Support Task Force

(Co-Chair) Teaching and Learning Support Task Force Coordination Working Group

2007
(Member) Working Group #4 of the University Restructuring Task Force
2006-08
(Member) University Academic College (UAC).
2005
(Member) Search Committee, Staff positions in the Centre for Writing Intensive Learning.
2002-06
(Lead instructor and coordinator) Annual Rethinking Teaching Workshops (week-long) sponsored by the SFU Learning and Instructional Development Centre (LIDC).
1999-02
(Chair) Senate Subcommittee on University Teaching and Learning
2000-01
(Member) Search Committee, Director of Learning and Instructional Development Centre (LIDC).

SFU – Faculty of Education


Coordinator, M.Ed., M.A., Ph.D. programs in Educational Technology and Learning Design

(Member-elected) Faculty Research Opportunities (2007-09)

(Member-elected) Faculty Promotion and Tenure Committee (2008-09)

2006
(Developer and Instructor) Pilot offering of EDUC 325 as integrated course for PDP in coordination with the Professional Programs Committee.
2005
(Cognate member) Search Committee, Faculty positions for the Educational Technology Program.
2004-05
(Member-elected) Professional Programs Committee
2003-05
Coordinated (with Kevin O’Neill) development and approval process of the Educational Technology and Learning Design graduate program. (Approved by SFU Senate, Fall 2005).
1999-02
Coordinator, M.Ed., M.A. programs in Education and Technology
1999-02
(Member-elected) Graduate Program Committee

(Chair) Sub-committee to revise graduate course evaluations

1998-00
(Member-elected) Faculty Tenure Committee
Last Updated

May 3, 2009

FOE