The UTA College of Education STEM-E(RC)² Professional Development & Workshops are designed to support educators in enhancing their skills in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. These sessions emphasize research-based strategies, equity, and real-world classroom application to improve student learning outcomes. Participants engage in hands-on activities, collaborative learning, and innovative teaching practices tailored to diverse learning environments. The program aims to empower teachers to create inclusive, effective, and engaging STEM experiences for all students.
Dr. Lauren Weisberg, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Teacher and Administrator Preparation (TAP), UTA College of Education (lauren.weisberg@uta.edu)
Title: Shaping Tomorrow’s Classrooms: Designing Meaningful Technology-Enhanced Learning in K–12 Education
Abstract: The rapid evolution of technology has made digital literacy essential for success in today’s world. Yet students’ experiences with digital tools in K–12 classrooms vary widely, with technology often used for passive or routine tasks rather than deeper learning. In this talk, I share how my interdisciplinary research examines ways to strengthen technology integration by supporting teachers in designing engaging, innovative, and instructionally meaningful technology-enhanced learning experiences. I highlight work focused on teacher preparation and professional learning in computing and STEM education, with an emphasis on helping educators move beyond basic tool use toward approaches that foster critical thinking, problem solving, and creative application. This work aims to better prepare students for learning, work, and participation in a technology-rich society.
Bio: Lauren Weisberg is an assistant professor at UTA whose research sits at the intersection of teacher education and educational technology. She earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Florida in 2024 after spending more than a decade teaching STEM and visual arts courses at the secondary and college levels. In projects funded by NSF, IES, and Google, her work has helped broaden participation for K-12 students in computing and STEM education. She has also designed microcredentials and teacher professional learning focused on meaningful and innovative technology integration. Her current work focuses on expanding AI literacy for K-12 teachers and students through integrated approaches that connect AI concepts to real-world contexts.
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