Joni Falk, Ed.M., is Co-Director of the Center for School Reform at TERC (
http://terc.edu) . The center is currently engaged in multiple projects all aimed at improving math and science education K-16. These include initiatives related to electronic learning communities, science curriculum development, research studies on technology infusion, diversity in the STEM pipeline, and Lesson Study as a vehicle for improving inclusion in science.
Joni is currently the Principal Investigator of "MSPnet" (http://mspnet.org) the electronic learning community that supports NSF's Math and Science Partnership Program (NSF HER-0335334). She is also Co-PI of two research projects that are studying the effects of technology infusion on science teaching and learning. These are "Researching Science in the Wireless High School" (NSF/TPC 0455795) and "Infusing Web-based Digital Resources into the Middle School Science Classroom: Strategies and Challenges" (NSF/NSDL 0333632).
Her past work has centered on the creation and facilitation of on-line learning communities to support large scale systemic reform initiatives aimed at improving math and science. These have included LSC-Net (http://lsc-net.terc.edu) created for NSF's Local Systemic Change program, and TEECH: Teacher Enhancement Electronic Community Hall (http://teech.terc.edu), one of the earliest electronic learning communities for professional development. She has facilitated virtual conferences related to sustainability of STEM reform efforts (http://sustainability2003.terc.edu/) and has researched strategies and obstacles to sustainability of these efforts.
Joni has a particular interest in science inquiry at the middle school level. She was Principal Investigator of "Eyes to the Future" (NSF/HRD 9906153) an NSF funded tele-mentoring project that connects middle school girls with high school role models and women scientists and also of a research project "The Inquiry-based Classroom in Context," a research project studying the gap between teachers' practice and policy mandates" (NSF/ REC 9804929).
Joni's areas of expertise include electronic communities of practice, science inquiry in middle school, technology that supports science education, and systemic reform.
Falk, J., Lee, S-Y., and B. Drayton (2005) MSPnet: Nested communities interacting online. Presented at MSP Evalation Summit, Sept. 2005.
Falk, J, et al. (2005) Infusing Web-based Digital Resources into the Middle School Science Classroom: Strategies and Challenges (Presented to AERA annual meeting 2005)
Drayton, B. and J. Falk (2006) Dimensions that shape teacher-scientist collaborations for teacher enhancement. Science Education. 90(4).
Falk, J. and Brian Drayton (2004) State testing and inquiry based science: Are they complementary or competing reforms? Journal of Educational Change 5:4 344-387.
Falk, J and B. Drayton (2001b) Teachers' Definitions of Inquiry-based science in the context of systemic reform. Paper presented to AERA annual meeting, April 2001.
Falk, J. and B. Drayton (2001c) Cultivating a culture of inquiry. Hands On! Vol. 23 (2).
Falk, J. and Brian Drayton. (1999a) Local Systemic Change Network: From Policy to Enactment. Paper presented at MOFET International Conference 1999.
Falk, J. K. and Brian Drayton (1998) Many Futures: Mentoring Middle School Girls. Hands On! 21(3):24-28.
