Dr. Paula Waatainen

EdD (Learning Sciences) MEd, BEd (Social Studies Education) BA (Political Science & History)
Professor
Faculty
Education
Department
Education
Languages
English
Contact:
Contact through VIU Communications

Expertise

Classroom assessment and reporting
Designing assessments of competency
K-12 BC curriculum
Democratic deliberation
K-12 political education
Educational design thinking

Fields

Learning sciences
Authentic assessment
Social studies curriculum
Political education
Social studies education
Place-based learning
Design-based research

Research goals

I research how teachers can design more authentic ways of assessing the growth of competencies in their students instead of relying solely on pencil and paper tests and papers. I also research how engaging students in real-world problems and processes, like local urban planning consultations and powerful simulations, can help build competencies associated with active, participatory citizenship. In my research, I think it’s important to get into classrooms and work directly with teachers to design learning activities and assessments that respond to best practice in assessment and social studies education.

Articles

Personal or professional websites