The NERA Researcher
Vol. 46, Issue 4, p. 16
December 2008
The Graduate Lounge
The year 2009 marks the third year of NERA Graduate Student Issues Committee (GSIC). The GSIC members are excited to continue working toward the committee’s mission, which involves supporting the professional development of NERA graduate students and reaching out to new graduate students in an effort to increase the diversity of institutions, represented at NERA.
At the NERA 2008 conference, the GSIC organized two sessions specifically for graduate students. One session was designed for graduate students to meet and provide ideas/suggestions to support the involvement and professional development of NERA graduate student members. In the second session, Asil Özdoğru talked about stressors and coping mechanisms in the lives of graduate students followed by Dr. Christine Harmes from James Madison University and Andy Leibowitz from the Educational Testing Services who provided valuable information on preparing one’s curriculum vita and the interview process for job applications. GSIC thanks our presenters for a very interesting and informative session.
This year the GSIC will welcome two new members. Currently, the GSIC consist of five members:
Carol Barry (barryclATjmu.edu) is in her second year of the Assessment and Measurement program at James Madison University. She is interested in a variety of topics in applied measurement and statistics. These interests include applications of structural equation modeling, growth modeling, and mixture modeling. At a broader level, she is interested in the test development and validity process. Her substantive research interests include motivational topics such as self-efficacy, help-seeking, and achievement goal orientation.
Megan France (francemkATjmu.edu) is in her first year of the Assessment and Measurement program at James Madison University. Her substantive research interests include variables related to college students’ relatedness with their peers and the university environment such as university belonging, attachment, and mattering. She is also interested in applications of structural equation modeling. Megan is serving as the 2008-2009 chair for the GSIC.
Andri Ioannou (andri.ioannouATgmail.com) is a doctoral candidate in the Educational Technology program at the University of Connecticut . Currently, she is working on her dissertation titled “Supporting Collaborative Learning in Online Environments:
The Promise of Wiki Technology”. Her interests include computer-supported collaborative learning, online learning, and Web 2.0 technologies for learning, networking, and collaboration.
Christine Shea (csheaATeduc.umass.edu) is a doctoral candidate in the Research Evaluation Methods Program at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Currently, she is working on her dissertation titled "Using a Mixture IRT Model to Understand Second Language Learner Performance on Large-scale Assessments". Her interests include equity issues that arise when measuring student achievement and school success, and validity theory and its application to accountability at the local, state and federal levels.
Asil Ali Özdoğru (http://www.albany.edu/~ao7726/) is a doctoral candidate in educational psychology at the University at Albany, SUNY and a program associate in Policy Research Associates. His research looks at out-of-school time across cultures, humor in learning, educational technology, and issues in criminal justice and mental health. A member of NERA since 2004, Asil served in various capacities including as a regular proposal reviewer, conference volunteer, membership committee member, and the founding chair of GSIC.
For more information about GSIC and past Graduate Lounge sections, please visit our blog at http://neragsic.blogspot.com/
Monday, December 1, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
2008 GSIC Session
NERA 2008 Conference: GSIC Session
39th Annual NERA Conference
Graduate Student Issues Session
Invited Session
Moderator: Asil Ali Özdoğru
Thursday, October 23, 2008
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Rocky Hill Room, Hartford Marriott
Rocky Hill, Connecticut
Days of Our Lives in and after Graduate School
Asil Ali Özdoğru, University at Albany
Preparing your CV and Resume
Dr. J. Christine Harmes, James Madison University
Interviewing Skills and Tips
Andy Leibowitz, Educational Testing Service
39th Annual NERA Conference
Graduate Student Issues Session
Invited Session
Moderator: Asil Ali Özdoğru
Thursday, October 23, 2008
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Rocky Hill Room, Hartford Marriott
Rocky Hill, Connecticut
Days of Our Lives in and after Graduate School
Asil Ali Özdoğru, University at Albany
Preparing your CV and Resume
Dr. J. Christine Harmes, James Madison University
Interviewing Skills and Tips
Andy Leibowitz, Educational Testing Service
About GSIC
Graduate Student Issues Committee of NERA
The Graduate Student Issues Committee (GSIC) of the Northeastern Educational Research Association (NERA) was initiated by Dr. Kristen Huff from The College Board during the 37th annual NERA Conference in Hudson Valley Resort & Spa in October 2006.
GSIC’s mission is to "support the involvement and professional development of NERA graduate students members and to reach out to new graduate students in an effort to increase the diversity of institutions represented at NERA."
GSIC activities include, but not limited to,
The Graduate Student Issues Committee (GSIC) of the Northeastern Educational Research Association (NERA) was initiated by Dr. Kristen Huff from The College Board during the 37th annual NERA Conference in Hudson Valley Resort & Spa in October 2006.
GSIC’s mission is to "support the involvement and professional development of NERA graduate students members and to reach out to new graduate students in an effort to increase the diversity of institutions represented at NERA."
GSIC activities include, but not limited to,
- overseeing the Best Paper by a Graduate Student Award Competition,
- organizing GSIC-sponsored sessions at NERA conferences,
- preparing “The Graduate Lounge” of NERA Researcher, and
- having meetings at NERA conferences with graduate students to brainstorm about GSIC potential future initiatives.
GSIC membership is open to all graduate student members of NERA. Students can nominate themselves or another student by contacting the GSIC chairperson.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
GSIC Members
2009-2010
Marisa Cohen, CUNY Graduate Center
2008-2009
Megan France, James Madison University (Chair)
Carol Barry, James Madison University
Allison Brown, James Madison University
Marisa Cohen, CUNY Graduate Center
Andri Ioannou, University of Connecticut
Christine (Lewis) Shea, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Asil Ali Özdoğru, University at Albany
2007-2008
Andri Ioannou, University of Connecticut (Chair)
Carol Barry, James Madison University
Megan France, James Madison University
Christine (Lewis) Shea, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Leah Kaira, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Asil Ali Özdoğru, University at Albany
2006-2007
Asil Ali Özdoğru, University at Albany (Founding Chair)
Andri Ioannou, University of Connecticut
Christine (Lewis) Shea, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Leah Kaira, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Adam M. Prunty, Westfield State College
Allison Brown, James Madison University (Chair)
Megan France, James Madison UniversityMarisa Cohen, CUNY Graduate Center
2008-2009
Megan France, James Madison University (Chair)
Carol Barry, James Madison University
Allison Brown, James Madison University
Marisa Cohen, CUNY Graduate Center
Andri Ioannou, University of Connecticut
Christine (Lewis) Shea, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Asil Ali Özdoğru, University at Albany
2007-2008
Andri Ioannou, University of Connecticut (Chair)
Carol Barry, James Madison University
Megan France, James Madison University
Christine (Lewis) Shea, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Leah Kaira, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Asil Ali Özdoğru, University at Albany
2006-2007
Asil Ali Özdoğru, University at Albany (Founding Chair)
Andri Ioannou, University of Connecticut
Christine (Lewis) Shea, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Leah Kaira, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Adam M. Prunty, Westfield State College
Monday, September 15, 2008
GSIC Elections
NERA Graduate Student Issues Committee (GSIC) Elections
Please consider running for a GSIC member! Serving on the GSIC provides opportunities to meet and work with graduate students and scholars, members of NERA.
GSIC’s mission is to support the involvement and professional development of NERA graduate students members, and to reach out to new graduate students in an effort to increase the diversity of institutions represented at NERA. We are currently a six-member team, and we work together to accomplish several tasks including running the Best Paper by a Graduate Student Award Competition, organizing a GSIC-sponsored session at the annual conference, preparing "The Graduate Lounge" of NERA Researcher, among others.
Please consider running for a GSIC member! Serving on the GSIC provides opportunities to meet and work with graduate students and scholars, members of NERA.
GSIC’s mission is to support the involvement and professional development of NERA graduate students members, and to reach out to new graduate students in an effort to increase the diversity of institutions represented at NERA. We are currently a six-member team, and we work together to accomplish several tasks including running the Best Paper by a Graduate Student Award Competition, organizing a GSIC-sponsored session at the annual conference, preparing "The Graduate Lounge" of NERA Researcher, among others.
There are two positions available in GSIC. If you are interested in becoming a GSIC member, send your CV/resume along with a statement of interest – a letter of 500 words or fewer that describes how your previous experience, training, and skills make you a viable candidate, and what you are hoping to bring to the team. In addition to your CV and statement of interest, please include the following information:
- Your name
- The university where you are pursuing your graduate degree
- The name of the degree you are pursuing
- Your anticipated date of graduation
Submit your CV/resume and statement of interest to Andri Ioannou at andri.ioannouAT
Applications will be accepted until midnight, Sunday, October 26. Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you have any questions regarding the nomination and election process, please feel free to contact Andri Ioannou, GSIC chair, at the email address above.
If you are looking for an opportunity to serve the educational research community and work with a great group of colleagues, then a position on the GSIC is for you!
Andri Ioannou, GSIC Chair
Monday, September 1, 2008
Graduate Lounge - September 2008
The NERA Researcher
Vol. 46, Issue 3, p. 14
September 2008
The Graduate Lounge
The Graduate Student Issues Committee (GSIC) cordially invites all NERA graduate student members to attend the GSIC Session at the 39th Annual Conference on Thursday afternoon, October 23, 2008, at the Hartford Marriott, Rocky Hill, Connecticut. After our successful GSIC session in October 2007 – publishing in professional journals and exploring career options – we are now planning the second GSIC session around common interests of graduate students. Our session this year will focus on how to construct a good curriculum vita/resume and tailor it across different job areas (academics, education, private organizations/corporations); and how to prepare for an interview. Expert guest speakers will talk about their experiences and recommendations. There will be a question and answer section at the end of the session where attendees will be able to address their individual needs and concerns. A flyer with the details about the GSIC Session will be provided to all graduate students at the registration desk. Besides organizing the GSIC session, GSIC is planning the election of the committee members for 2008-2009. Announcements for committee openings will be posted on the NERA website in September (please check http://www.nera-education.org/gsic.php). GSIC 2008-2009 membership will be finalized following the conference in October and
announced in the NERA Researcher.
Best Paper by a Graduate Student Award Competition
We would like to encourage all graduate students to participate in the 2008 Best Paper by a Graduate Student Award Competition. The deadline for submission will be within one week of the end of the 2008 NERA Conference. An announcement about the award will be sent to all NERA graduate student members beginning October 2008, and will also be posted on the NERA website.
Andri Ioannou, Chairperson
Vol. 46, Issue 3, p. 14
September 2008
The Graduate Lounge
The Graduate Student Issues Committee (GSIC) cordially invites all NERA graduate student members to attend the GSIC Session at the 39th Annual Conference on Thursday afternoon, October 23, 2008, at the Hartford Marriott, Rocky Hill, Connecticut. After our successful GSIC session in October 2007 – publishing in professional journals and exploring career options – we are now planning the second GSIC session around common interests of graduate students. Our session this year will focus on how to construct a good curriculum vita/resume and tailor it across different job areas (academics, education, private organizations/corporations); and how to prepare for an interview. Expert guest speakers will talk about their experiences and recommendations. There will be a question and answer section at the end of the session where attendees will be able to address their individual needs and concerns. A flyer with the details about the GSIC Session will be provided to all graduate students at the registration desk. Besides organizing the GSIC session, GSIC is planning the election of the committee members for 2008-2009. Announcements for committee openings will be posted on the NERA website in September (please check http://www.nera-education.org/gsic.php). GSIC 2008-2009 membership will be finalized following the conference in October and
announced in the NERA Researcher.
Best Paper by a Graduate Student Award Competition
We would like to encourage all graduate students to participate in the 2008 Best Paper by a Graduate Student Award Competition. The deadline for submission will be within one week of the end of the 2008 NERA Conference. An announcement about the award will be sent to all NERA graduate student members beginning October 2008, and will also be posted on the NERA website.
Andri Ioannou, Chairperson
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Graduate Lounge - June 2008
The NERA Researcher
Vol. 46, Issue 2, p. 14
June 2008
The Graduate Lounge
The Graduate Student Issues Committee (GSIC) of the Northeastern Educational Research Association (NERA) would like to congratulate Peter Swerdzewski from James Madison University for winning the 2007 Best Paper by a Graduate Student Award Competition. The awarding paper is entitled “Examinee Motivation in Low-Stakes Testing: Two Approaches to Identifying Data from Low-Motivated Students in an Applied Assessment Context.” The abstract of the paper appears below, while the paper itself will be available on the NERA website.
A total of eight papers were submitted to the Graduate Student Issues Committee (GSIC). The competing papers were reviewed by four independent graduate students - members of GSIC - and one board-appointed faculty expert. We would like to thank the graduate students who participated in this competition. All papers were of high quality.
Special thanks to Asil Ozdogru who initiated and coordinated this award. Also, special thanks to Thanos Patelis (GSIC Advisor) and Kristen Huff (NERA Board Liaison) for their support and guidance.
Finally, we would like to encourage all graduate students to participate in the 2008 Best Paper by a Graduate Student Award Competition. The deadline for submission will be within one week of the end of the 2008 NERA Conference. An announcement about the award will be sent to all NERA graduate student members beginning October 2008, and will also be posted on the NERA website.
Andri Ioannou, Chairperson
Paper title: Examinee Motivation in Low-Stakes Testing: Two Approaches to Identifying Data from Low-Motivated Students in an Applied Assessment Context
Author: Peter Swerdzewski
Co-authors: Sara J. Finney, J. Christine Harmes
Abstract: Many universities rely on data gathered from tests that are low stakes for examinees but high stakes for the various programs being assessed. Given the lack of consequences associated with many collegiate assessments, the construct-irrelevant variance introducedby unmotivated students is a major potential threat to the validity of the inferences that institutions can make from their assessments. Two approaches to evaluating examinee motivation are discussed in this paper: one that employs a global paper-and-pencil self-report measure of students’ motivation on all tests completed during the course of a testing session, and another computer-based method that non-intrusively measures the amount of time students spend on each item in a test. This study provides evidence that the two motivation filtering methods provide similar aggregate test scores; however, more data was removed using the global paper-and-pencil self-report technique.
Vol. 46, Issue 2, p. 14
June 2008
The Graduate Lounge
The Graduate Student Issues Committee (GSIC) of the Northeastern Educational Research Association (NERA) would like to congratulate Peter Swerdzewski from James Madison University for winning the 2007 Best Paper by a Graduate Student Award Competition. The awarding paper is entitled “Examinee Motivation in Low-Stakes Testing: Two Approaches to Identifying Data from Low-Motivated Students in an Applied Assessment Context.” The abstract of the paper appears below, while the paper itself will be available on the NERA website.
A total of eight papers were submitted to the Graduate Student Issues Committee (GSIC). The competing papers were reviewed by four independent graduate students - members of GSIC - and one board-appointed faculty expert. We would like to thank the graduate students who participated in this competition. All papers were of high quality.
Special thanks to Asil Ozdogru who initiated and coordinated this award. Also, special thanks to Thanos Patelis (GSIC Advisor) and Kristen Huff (NERA Board Liaison) for their support and guidance.
Finally, we would like to encourage all graduate students to participate in the 2008 Best Paper by a Graduate Student Award Competition. The deadline for submission will be within one week of the end of the 2008 NERA Conference. An announcement about the award will be sent to all NERA graduate student members beginning October 2008, and will also be posted on the NERA website.
Andri Ioannou, Chairperson
Paper title: Examinee Motivation in Low-Stakes Testing: Two Approaches to Identifying Data from Low-Motivated Students in an Applied Assessment Context
Author: Peter Swerdzewski
Co-authors: Sara J. Finney, J. Christine Harmes
Abstract: Many universities rely on data gathered from tests that are low stakes for examinees but high stakes for the various programs being assessed. Given the lack of consequences associated with many collegiate assessments, the construct-irrelevant variance introducedby unmotivated students is a major potential threat to the validity of the inferences that institutions can make from their assessments. Two approaches to evaluating examinee motivation are discussed in this paper: one that employs a global paper-and-pencil self-report measure of students’ motivation on all tests completed during the course of a testing session, and another computer-based method that non-intrusively measures the amount of time students spend on each item in a test. This study provides evidence that the two motivation filtering methods provide similar aggregate test scores; however, more data was removed using the global paper-and-pencil self-report technique.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Graduate Lounge - March 2008
The NERA Researcher
Vol. 46, Issue 1, p. 11
March 2008
The Graduate Lounge
The Graduate Student Issues Council (GSIC) of the Northeastern Educational Research Association (NERA) is currently engaged in the activities planned for the 2007-2008 year. Our primary concern this month is to identify the recipient of the 2007 Best Paper by a Graduate Student Award. GSIC has organized the Best Paper by a Graduate Student Award Competition, for the first time this year. This award is different from the Lorne H. Woollatt Distinguished Paper Award (Woollatt) and the Teacher-as-Researcher Award (TAR). Whereas, the Woollatt award can be awarded to any faculty, teacher, or graduate student NERA member and the TAR can only be awarded to full-time teachers who may or may not be enrolled in a masters program, the Best Paper by a Graduate Student award can only be awarded to individuals enrolled in a doctoral program who presented their papers or posters at a NERA Conference.
By early January 2008, GSIC had received eight submissions (from six graduate students, representing five institutions) for the 2007 Best Paper by a Graduate Student Award Competition. Each of the submitted papers is currently being reviewed by two independent graduate student raters and one board-appointed faculty expert. Reviews of submitted papers are based on 18 guidelines designed to assess the scholarship and rigor of each manuscript. The awarded graduate student will be announced in the next Graduate Lounge of The NERA Researcher and the NERA Web site's GSIC page. The winner will receive a voucher in the value of $250 towards expenses to next year's NERA conference.
Meanwhile, we are working on establishing relationships with the graduate student committees of other organizations, especially that of the American Educational Research Association (AERA). Remember that the GSIC represents graduate students at all NERA Board meetings. Please contact us with ideas, contributions, concerns, or anything else you want to discuss. Wewill consider your input.
Andri Ioannou, Chairperson
Graduate Student Issues Committee
Vol. 46, Issue 1, p. 11
March 2008
The Graduate Lounge
The Graduate Student Issues Council (GSIC) of the Northeastern Educational Research Association (NERA) is currently engaged in the activities planned for the 2007-2008 year. Our primary concern this month is to identify the recipient of the 2007 Best Paper by a Graduate Student Award. GSIC has organized the Best Paper by a Graduate Student Award Competition, for the first time this year. This award is different from the Lorne H. Woollatt Distinguished Paper Award (Woollatt) and the Teacher-as-Researcher Award (TAR). Whereas, the Woollatt award can be awarded to any faculty, teacher, or graduate student NERA member and the TAR can only be awarded to full-time teachers who may or may not be enrolled in a masters program, the Best Paper by a Graduate Student award can only be awarded to individuals enrolled in a doctoral program who presented their papers or posters at a NERA Conference.
By early January 2008, GSIC had received eight submissions (from six graduate students, representing five institutions) for the 2007 Best Paper by a Graduate Student Award Competition. Each of the submitted papers is currently being reviewed by two independent graduate student raters and one board-appointed faculty expert. Reviews of submitted papers are based on 18 guidelines designed to assess the scholarship and rigor of each manuscript. The awarded graduate student will be announced in the next Graduate Lounge of The NERA Researcher and the NERA Web site's GSIC page. The winner will receive a voucher in the value of $250 towards expenses to next year's NERA conference.
Meanwhile, we are working on establishing relationships with the graduate student committees of other organizations, especially that of the American Educational Research Association (AERA). Remember that the GSIC represents graduate students at all NERA Board meetings. Please contact us with ideas, contributions, concerns, or anything else you want to discuss. Wewill consider your input.
Andri Ioannou, Chairperson
Graduate Student Issues Committee
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