REBEKAH KINCAID NIX
Curtin University
of Technology, Science Education (Perth, Australia)
Doctor of Philosophy, 2003
Research focused on developing a model to create a unique learning environment that results in a positive change in science teachers’ attitude toward and understanding of educational applications of information technology. A “transparent” information technology learning environment unifies the three “classic” learning environments enabling direct transfer of knowledge through development of a virtual field trip. Specifically, this study determines if the program design fosters individual communication, collaboration and creativity.
University of
Texas at Dallas, Science Education (Richardson, Texas)
Master of Arts in Teaching, 1998
Research focused on defining what educators want
from the World Wide Web and how content providers and administrators might
fulfil needs with emerging multimedia tools. Studies included advanced
educational research and science courses, in addition to development of lessons/units
that reflect original applications of technology in teaching.
GLOBE Teacher
Certificate – Global Learning & Observations to Benefit the Environment
University of
Texas at Dallas, Geosciences (Richardson, Texas)
Bachelor of Science (Cum Laude), 1986
Texas Teacher
Certificate – High School Science, Composite
Colorado School
of Mines, Geological Engineering (Golden, Colorado)
University of
Texas at Dallas (1999–present)
Richardson,
Texas; providing high-quality educational and research programs driven by the
development, diffusion, understanding and management of advanced technology
Educational
Assistant. Recruited by Dean of Natural Science and Mathematics to investigate
options and develop strategy for migrating department courses to remote
delivery using the World Wide Web; Departmental Liaison addressing
faculty/staff technology support issues. Created and maintained websites for
the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; the Global Environmental Change
and Melville Research Vessel Cruise virtual field trips; developed and produced
Science Education program brochure and Science/Mathematics Education department
website. Lecturer. Hired by Director of Teacher Development program to
teach Educational Technology course based on principles of use rather than
details of hardware/software. Produced and supported online course since Fall
semester, 2000. Teaching Assistant. Worked with Dean of General Studies
to facilitate development of a distance learning program based on Math Methods
course delivered using the latest classroom presentation technologies.
Recommended development models for courses in Chemistry, Physics and Science
Education, including content and research.
MultiMedia Access
Corporation (MMAC) (1994–January 1999)
Corporate
Marketing/Investor Relations. Recruited as Manager of Graphics and Publications
to design and maintain corporate-level materials, as well as initiate marketing
support programs to launch new products. Emerging technologies required a
strong educational component along with persuasive application and technical
information. Focus shifted to corporate research and development to support
Initial Public Offering and meet on-going Securities Exchange Commission
requirements.
United States Data Corporation (USDATA) (1991–May
1994)
Richardson, Texas; manufacturers of real-time
automation software and auto id systems
Marketing Communications Coordinator. Joined
international marketing department to develop marketing support programs to
launch new products and support existing product line. Interfaced with
engineering, technical support, training and sales to produce materials with
consistent themes, messages, and style to promote corporate image. Established
department-wide processes that streamlined production, external printing,
archiving, distribution and maintenance of materials.
Visual
Information Technologies, Inc. (VITec) (1988–October 1991)
Plano, Texas; manufacturers of imaging
hardware, software and applications
Special Projects Documentation Specialist. Hired by Senior
Technical Writer on part-time basis to re-design and edit users’ guides and
technical documentation of software and hardware products. Performance resulted
in full-time position in Support Services (training) with responsibility for
all technical information in System Integration Products and Services and
international standards documents. Provided technical and design support for
development of marketing presentations, product literature, catalogs and sales
tools.
S. Morrice &
Associates, Ltd. (1987–August 1988)
Denver, Colorado; independent international
petroleum consulting company
Dallas, Texas; retail store specializing in
storage/organization products
Stock and Display Supervisor. Started as
part-time seasonal cashier. Hired as full-time salesperson and stocker. Also
performed accounting duties as Transaction Coordinator including opening registers,
making change and deposits and completing daily reports. As Stock and Display
Supervisor, trained and managed team responsible for store appearance,
merchandise from/ to trucks, inventory, and product displays.
Nix, R.K. (2003). Virtual field trips: Using information technology to create an integrated science learning environment. Unpublished doctoral thesis, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia.
Nix, R.K. (in review). Think
about I.T.: A process approach to educational technology. Submitted Spring 2002
to Electronic Journal of Science Education.
Nix, R.K. (in review).
Virtual field trips: The next best thing to being there (and sometimes
better!). Submitted April 2001 to Journal of Geoscience Education.
Nix, R.K. (2000). Science-related
virtual field trips on the world wide web. The Texas Science Teacher, 29(1),
18-23.
Ledbetter, C.E., & Nix,
R.K. (2000). Bringing Back Big Bend: Teachers’ Adventure to be Shared through
Virtual Tour. Dallas Outdoors, 1(5), 9-11.
Nix, R.K. (1999). ED4372:
Educational technology/ED5320: Issues in educational technology. Online
course offered by the University of Texas at Dallas through the UT-System
TeleCampus.
Parker, F.S., & Nix,
R.K. (1994). Sounding the silence or ‘why people sing in the shower’.
Dallas, Texas: RNIX Company.
Nix, R.K., Fraser, B.J., & Ledbetter, C.E. (2003, April). Evaluating an Integrated Science Learning Environment (ISLE) Using a New Form of the Constructivist Learning Environment Survey (CLES). Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association. Chicago, IL.
Nix, R.K., & Ledbetter,
C.E. (2002, April). Drawing conclusions: A quick assessment of student
understanding through concept map evaluation. Paper to be presented at the annual
meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, New
Orleans, LA.
Nix, R.K., Ledbetter, C.E., & Fraser, B.J.
(2001, December). Evaluation of an integrated science learning environment
that bridges university field classes and field trips. Paper presented at
the annual meeting of the Australian Association for Research in Education.
Fremantle, Australia.
Nix, R.K. (2001, August). Think
about I.T.: A process approach to educational technology. Paper presented
at the annual meeting of the Information Technology and Distance Education,
Austin, TX.
Nix, R.K. (2001, April). Virtual
field trips: The next best thing to being there (and sometimes better!).
Presented at the annual meeting of the National Association for Geology
Teachers, Albuquerque, NM.
Nix, R.K., Ledbetter, C.E., & Fraser, B.J.
(2001, April). A web (page) that works: What a concept (map)! Paper
presented at the annual meeting of the National Association for Research in
Science Teaching, St. Louis, MO.
Nix,
R.K., & Ledbetter, C.E. (2001, February). Bringing back Big Bend.
Virtual field trip (Global Environmental Change website) workshop presented to
K-12 science teachers at Mini-CAST, the annual local Conference for the
Advancement of Science Teaching, Dallas, Texas.
Nix, R.K., & Ledbetter,
C.E. (2000, October). Communication, collaboration & creativity:
Integrating real-world technology into science education. Presented at the
annual Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching. College Station, TX.
MT SCIENCE: Mobile Technology for teaching and learning SCIENCE in the real world. PI. Awarded Technology Infrastructure Board, August, 2002, 12 months, $50,000.
Continuing
Education for Leaders and Lifelong Learners (CEL3). Co-PI. Pre-proposal
submitted to National Science Foundation, March 15, 2002, 60 months,
$5,632,805.
Course
Development for Online Instruction (ED4372/ED5320). PI. Awarded March 16, 2002
by University of Texas at Dallas Center for Online Learning and Teaching, 3
months, $3,500.
MAT-SE Online! A distance
learning strand of the Master of Arts in Teaching degree in Science Education. Co-PI.
Submitted November 14, 2000 to University of Texas System TeleCampus, 12
months, $141,054.
Innovation in teaching and
training: design and production of virtual field trips (TORCH, Global
Environment Change; Subduction Factory, Melville R/V Cruise) and educational
resource websites (Educational Technology Resources ‘Etweb’, Science Education
Research ‘SER’, Ecology Field Methods); extensive training and experience with
instructional design and current course delivery platforms (particularly
VCampus, WebCT, Blackboard).
Contributions to science and
learning: participation and presentation in educational and scientific
organizations (Association of Women Geologists, Australian Association for
Research in Education, National Association of Geoscience Teachers, National
Association for Research in Science Teaching, Science Teachers Association of
Texas); support for recruitment efforts and collateral materials development
for Natural Science and Mathematics.
Development and refinement of tools: membership in the Technology Leadership Academy (PT3) and Sigma Xi; liaison to university Information Resources representing Natural Science and Mathematics faculty; review volunteer for UT-System TeleCampus platform selection and Texas Science Teacher journal; observation and assistance in in-service presentations at Regional Educational Service Centers; alignment of resources with state/national standards.
Broadening participation: technology
integration through Botball robotics; role model presentation through Kilby
Awards Foundation; international research and reform through Institute for the
Study of Earth and Man at Southern Methodist University; educational materials
production through RNIX Company and SCE Associates; incorporation of new
methods through Park Cities Counseling Center and Texas Counseling Association;
other community events.
American Educational Research Association, member (2002–present)
Southwest Association for Educators of Teachers of Science, member (2002–present)
Australian Association for Research in
Education, member (2001–present)
Technology Leadership Academy, member (2001–present)
Geological Society of
America/National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT), secretary (2000)
National Association for Research in Science
Teaching, member (1999–present)
Sigma Xi Research Society,
member (1999–present)
Other interests include
photography, music, canoeing, hiking, tennis, needlework, gardening, SCUBA
diving, sharing long walks with my niece and nephew and playing frisbee with my
dog.