Simon Fraser University
Dr. Alyssa Wise
Assistant Professor

Educational Technology & Learning Design

My research focuses on the design and use of online learning environments. Coming from a constructivist perspective on learning, I am interested in the tensions (and overlap) between current “consumer” and “community” models of learning. In my work I have looked at how online environments can use roles and reference point objects to support learners from different locations and contexts in having conversations that lead to deep knowledge building. In addition within the realm of “community” models I am particularly intrigued by the interplay and interdependency between a group’s collective negotiation and development of ideas and individuals’ personal trajectories of understanding over time. My most current project is focused on exploring different ways to analyze and promote productive “listening” behaviors between learners in online conversations.

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. (in press). Supporting future faculty in developing their teaching practices: An exploration of communication networks among graduate teaching assistants. To be published in the International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.

Wise, A. F., & Chiu, M. M. (2011). Analyzing temporal patterns of knowledge construction in a role-based online discussion.International Journal of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning. Advance online publication DOI:10.1007/809 s11412-011-9120-1.

Wise, A. F., Saghafian, M. & Padmanabhan, P. (2011) Towards more precise design guidance: Specifying and testing the functions of assigned student roles in online discussions. Advance online publication. Educational Technology Research and Development. DOI 10.1007/s11423-011-9212-7.

Wise, A. F., Padmanabhan, P. & Duffy, T.M. (2009) Connecting online learners with diverse local practices: The design of effective common reference points for conversation. Distance Education, 30(30), 317-338.

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.F., & Padmanabhan, P. (2009). Developing structural-temporal visualizations of asynchronous threaded online learning conversations. In the Proceedings of the E-Learn Conference 2009—World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education, Vancouver, BC.

Wise, A., Schank, P., Stanford, T. & Horsma. G. (2009). The science behind nanosunscreens The Science Teacher, 76(6), 46-51.

Wise, A. F. & 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.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.

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 (completed)
  • Combating Child Labor through Education (completed)
  • FASES: Faculty Strategies for Engaging Students (completed)
  • Learning to Teach with Technology Studio (completed)
  • Online MBA Study Project (completed)

Public Presentations/Conferences

Wise, A. F., Marbouti, F. Speer, J., & Hsiao,Y. T., (2011, July). Towards an Understanding of “Listening” in Online Discussions: A Cluster Analysis of Learners’ Interaction Patterns. Paper presented at the International Conference on Computer Supported Collaborative Learning 2011.

Wise, A. F., Speer, J., Hsiao,Y. T., & Marbouti, F. (2011, July). Factors Contributing to Learners’ Online Listening Behaviors in Online and Blended Courses. Paper presented at the International Conference on Computer Supported Collaborative Learning 2011.

Wise, A.F. & Chiu, M. M. (2011, April). The Power of a Synthesizer Role in Online Discussion Forums: Encouraging Midway Summaries Drives the Knowledge Construction Process. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Education Research Association, April 2011, New Orleans, LA

Wise, A. F., Hsiao,Y. T., Marbouti, F. & Speer, J. (2011, April). Exploring the Variety Of Student Interaction Styles in Online Discussion Forums: Case Studies of Thorough, Self-Monitoring and Independent Patterns of Behavior. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Education Research Association, April 2011, New Orleans, LA

Wise, A. F. (2009, December). Studying Temporal Patterns of Knowledge Construction in Asynchronous Online Discussions. Paper presented at the STELLAR Research Network of Excellence in Technology Enhanced Learning Alpine Rendezvous 2009. Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.

Wise, A.F., Saghafian, M. & Padmanabhan, P. (2009, October). Comparing the Functions of Different Assigned Student Roles in Online Conversations. Paper presented at the E-Learn Conference 2009—World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education, Vancouver, BC

Wise, A.F., & Marples, J. (2009, October). Designing Learning Spaces in Physical and Virtual Settings. Invited presentation for the British Columbia Educational Technology Users Group Fall 2009 Workshop, Vancouver BC.

Wise, A.F., Padmanabhan, P. & Duffy, T. M. (2009, June). Connecting Online Learners with Diverse Local Practices: The Design of Effective Common Reference Points for Conversation. Poster presented at the International Conference on Computer Supported Learning 2009, Rhodes, Greece.

Xin, M. C., Glass, G., Wise, A., Bures, E., Feenberg, A., Abrami, P., et al. (2009, May). Bridging Past and Present: Advancing Intellectual Engagement in Online Discussion through Web Annotation. Poster presented at the Canadian Network for Innovation in Education Annual Conference. May, 2009. Ottawa, ON.

Wise, A. F., & Padmanabhan, P. (2009, April). Seeing the Forest and the Trees: Visualizing the Structural and Temporal Dimensions of Asynchronous Threaded Online Learning Conversations. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Education Research Association, April 2009, San Diego, CA.

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.

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

  • 2009-present Program Coordinator, SFU Educational Technology & Learning Design Master’s Program
  • 2009-present Editorial Board Member, Journal of Nano Education
  • 2009-present: Reviewer, Distance Education
  • 2008-present: Reviewer, Journal of Learning & Individual Differences
  • 2008-present: Coordinator, SFU Educational Technology Master’s Program Institute
  • 2007-present: Consulting Editor, Educational Technology Research & Development
  • 2005-present: Reviewer, American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting
  • 2006-2010: Reviewer, Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-Based Learning
  • 2009-2010: Member, Masters of Science in Teaching Science Planning Committee
  • 2008-2009: Committee Member, SFU Surrey-Burnaby Campus Integration Committee
  • 2005-2006: Committee Member, IU Learning Sciences Faculty Hiring Committee
  • 2006: Session Host, International Conference of the Learning Sciences
  • 2006: Reviewer, International Conference of the Learning Sciences

Research Grants

Understanding and Designing “Listening” Interactions in Online Learning Conversations (2009-2012)

  • Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada: $123,000

Learning through Group Interactions with Technology (2007-2010)

  • President’s Research Start up Grant (PRSG), SFU: $30,000

Combating Child Labor through Education in the Dominican Republic (2006)

  • Indiana University International Enhancement Grant: $3,000

Awards, Honours, Scholarships, Fellowships

  • 2009: E-Learn Conference Outstanding Paper Award
  • 2007-2008: SFU Endowed Research Fellowship
  • 2007: IU Counseling & Educational Psychology Outstanding Dissertation Award
  • 2006: Frieda Alice Renfro Dissertation Fellowship
  • 2004: Beechler Academic Fellowship
  • 2002-2006: Indiana University Chancellor’s Fellowship

Selected Teaching & Professional Positions

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

Courses Taught

  • EDUC 358 Foundations of Educational Technology
  • EDUC 484Q Reconceptualizing Scientific Misconceptions
  • EDUC 811 Fieldwork I (Capstone for MEd in Educational Practice)
  • EDUC-864 Research Designs in Education
  • EDUC 893 Organizational and Social Aspects of Learning Technology Design
  • EDUC 894 Methods for Research and Inquiry in Learning Technologies
  • EDUC 932 Learner-Centered Design

Graduate Student Supervision

Nishan Perera (PhD, in progress)

Ying-Ting Hsiao (MA, in progress)

Farshid Mabouti (MA, in progress)

Michelle Chu (MA, 2010)

Poornima Padmanabhan (MA, 2009)

Last Updated
August 20, 2011
FOE