Research Spotlight
Applied Research at the Experimental Education Unit Classrooms
During the 2011-2012 academic year, several student researchers completed studies through the Applied Research Unit as part of their graduate coursework at the UW.
Kathy Simangan implemented activities from an anti-bias curriculum in a preschool classroom and studied the effects on children's awareness of and ability to describe features of their classroom community. This study served as Kathy’s Master’s Thesis for the Early Childhood Special Education program at UW.
Lauren Thompson and Ariane Gauvreau conducted a study to examine the effects of a “Snack Talk” intervention on the social interactions of preschoolers with autism in their preschool and extended day classrooms. This study served as Lauren’s Master’s Thesis for the Early Childhood Special Education program at UW, and as part of Ariane’s Research & Inquiry study for the Special Education doctoral program at the UW.
Shane Herriott studied the effects of two different environmental manipulations on preschool students’ level of physical activity while on the playground. This study served as Shane’s doctoral dissertation. She’ll earn her Ph.D. from the UW this summer.
Stefanie Stadnicki explored caregiver satisfaction with and utilization of family support services in a 0-3 intervention program. She completed this research as her Master’s Thesis for the Early Childhood Special Education program at UW.
Erin Katz conducted a study to examine the effects of a self-monitoring intervention on the interactive play behaviors of children with autism. Erin, a Master’s student in the UW Early Childhood Special Education program, implemented this study to replicate the results of a previous study she conducted as an undergraduate.
Shawna Harbin studied the effects of physical activity on the attention and engagement of kindergarten students. This study served as Shawna’s Master’s Thesis for the Early Childhood Special Education program at UW.
Members of the teaching staff at the Experimental Education Unit also conducted research in their classrooms during the school year. Shannon Crissey, Erin Greager, and Lisa Pitale conducted a study to examine the level of skill generalization between an intensive extended day classroom and inclusive preschool classrooms demonstrated by students with autism.
