Kathryn F. Cochran

Kathyrn F. CochranDegrees

  • Ph.D., 1984, Purdue University, Educational Psychology
  • M.A., 1976, Northern Arizona University, Experimental Psychology
  • B.S., 1974, Northern Arizona University, Psychology, Mathematics, Astronomy

AREAS OF INTEREST

I am interested in learning -- especially in the contexts of mathematics and science and in online settings. I am also interesting in the philosophical issues that underlie research and teaching, such as the differences between empiricist, interpretivist, and socio-cultural perspectives. I teach graduate courses in cognition and instruction, qualitative research, individual differences and cultural issues; and undergraduate courses in educational psychology for pre-service teachers. My teaching perspective focuses on flexibility, the needs of the learner, building learning communities, and the relationships between course material and authentic learning and teaching settings. I have also participated in several large grant projects with faculty in science and mathematics education, both at UNC and at other institutions.

SELECTED RESEARCH

  • Cochran, K. & Reinsvold, L. (under review). Power dynamics and questioning in elementary science classrooms.
  • Ferrari, J. & Cochran, K. (2009, October).  Critical Multicultural Education for Social Action. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Association of Multicultural Education, Denver.
  • McDevitt, T. M., Jobes, R. D., Cochran, K., & Sheehan, E. P. (2009, April). Qualities of children’s cognitive, physical, and social-emotional development: Considering the views of college students. Paper presented at the Developmental Science Teaching Institute of the Society for Research in Child Development, Denver.
  • McDevitt, T., Jobes, R., Sheehan, E., & Cochran, K. (2007). Is It Nature and Nurture? Beliefs about Child Development Held by Prospective Teachers and Other College Students. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development, Denver.
  • Cochran, K. (2007). Women’s Dynamic Social Processes of Reflection and Conceptual Learning in a Graduate Online Context.  Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago.