Education Department Internship at Sylvan Learning this summer. 

Apply via UMBCworks today- position 9255966 or send your resume and cover letter to Christine Routzahn at The Shriver Center (routzahn@umbc.edu).

Duration/Hours per week

·         12 weeks

·         1 full-time intern: 40 hours per week  OR  

·         2 part-time interns: 20 hours per week

Compensation

$15 – $20 per hour (based on experience)

Duties:

·         Identify the current literature in English language arts (reading and writing), math, and study skills that can be used to update the current research validation reports to include most recent relevant developments in technology, teaching, and learning.

Suggested Research Topics

Language Arts

After a briefing by Sylvan’s Language Arts Program Manager on Sylvan’s current instructional technology project, develop a research review that supports the use of specific technologies/technology-supported strategies in the teaching of supplemental language arts.  In particular we are interested in understanding:
- What is the latest thinking on the use of stylus/handwriting on the i-pad?
- At what age is it appropriate to have students use keyboards (regular and virtual)?
- Does it make sense to use the virtual keyboard with students or is it more appropriate to include a traditional external keyboard?
-  Is there a difference in fluency or comprehension when reading from a screen vs. reading from paper
- Work with the program manager for language arts to demonstrate how the research findings are relevant to Sylvan’s programs.

 

Mathematics

·         After a briefing by Sylvan’s Mathematics Program Director on current instructional technology project, develop a research review that supports the use of specific technologies/technology supported strategies in the teaching of supplemental mathematics. In particular we are interested in understanding:

- The latest thinking on virtual manipulative vs. concrete manipulatives during instruction, practice, and assessment. When are each appropriate?
- The use of virtual construction and measurement tools in the learning of geometry concepts
- The role of scientific or graphing calculators in learning mathematics
- The use of simulations for the study of probability and statistics
- The role of games in learning mathematics
- At what mathematical level is it appropriate to include an equation editor tool?

 

·         Work with the program manager for mathematics to demonstrate how the research findings are relevant to Sylvan’s programs.

Study Skills

·         After a briefing by the Sylvan’s Study Skills Program Manager on the current instructional technology project, develop a research review that supports the use of specific technologies and technology supported strategies in teaching supplemental study skills. In particular we are interested in understanding:

- What is the current thinking on the grade level at which to introduce study skills to students?  Are specific study skills more/less appropriate at certain grade levels?
- The role of games as study tools
- The effectiveness of virtual flashcards vs. traditional flashcards.
- The importance of media/information literacy and internet-based digital literacy
- The degree to which 21^st Century Skills are applicable and important for study skills in today’s classrooms, college, and beyond. Is the term 21^st century skills used anymore? Is it being replaced with a new term?
- How college and career readiness relate to study skills. Relevant college readiness skills that can be taught in middle and high school.

·         Work with the program manager for study skills to demonstrate how the research findings are relevant to Sylvan’s programs.