S E P T E M B E R
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Educational Psychology
Society
Let’s Go
Bowling!
The Ed Psych Society would like
to invite you to meet us for a
game of bowling! Bring your
family, bring your friends! Let’s
have some fun! Tuesdays at
Highland Park Lanes has $2
games and $2 shoes.
Bring your research poster so
we can display it!
The EPS would like to showcase student work
on the walls in the Ed Psych Department. Bring
your research posters and other presentation
materials, and we will find a spot to proudly
show them off. Don’t let them sit in a closet
gathering dust! We are proud of our students
and want to show everyone what you have
been doing! Please contact Amanda Jacobs
(jaco0532@bears.ucno.edu) or Michael Phillips
to lend us your research presentation materials!
Thank you!
Tuesday,
September 22, 2015
6:30 p.m.
Highland Park Lanes
1900 59th Avenue
Greeley, CO 80634
EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY SOCIETY
SPETEMBER 2015
Who represents the Educational Psychology Society?
Take a moment to learn about your Ed Psych
Officers and Faculty Sponsor!
Matt Swaffer, Ph.D. Student, Ed Psych
EPS Webmaster
I am a first year Ph.D. student in the Educational Psychology program.
My undergrad was in Business Administration with an emphasis in
Computer Information Systems right here at UNC. Since graduating
with my Bachelors, I have had an interesting career in software, both
designing and writing business applications for a wide variety of clients.
My interest in software design led me to begin studying human
computer interaction and user experience design. From there, it was a
short leap to studying human learning and specifically the intersection of
human learning, cognition, and software interface design. I earned my
masters in Ed. Psych this spring and have continued into the doctoral
program to pursue my research.
My research interests revolve around applying the principles of cognitive psychology to the design of
learning interventions with an emphasis on technology. Currently, I am looking at the cognitive
implications of text design (i.e. fonts, alignment, spacing, resizing etc.) in e-readers as well as the efficacy
of animations versus illustrations. In the future, I have a strong interest in matching the design of
instruction to the structure of the knowledge rather than trying to match the presumed learning style of
the learner. My goal is to take an ecological approach in addition to conducting laboratory studies while
looking at these issues.
When you run into me, tell me about your interests. I am fascinated with the capacity of humans to learn
and the immense scope of human discovery. I love hearing about other people’s work so let’s have a
conversation!
Susannah Moore, Ph.D. Student, Ed Psych
EPS Vice-President/Secretary
I am a second year PhD student in Ed Psych. My
background is in Sports Psychology and Exercise Science,
so with this degree and I am focusing on the cognitive
benefits of physical activity in school and also looking at
obesity bias and its detrimental effects on children
(specifically in the school setting).
I hail from Ohio, Go Bucks! I live here in West Greeley
with my husband, 10 month- old daughter, and two
puppies. For fun we enjoy remodeling our house, running
in races, traveling internationally, enjoying all of
Colorado’s breweries, and outings like the Candlelight
dinner theater and professional sporting events.
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EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY SOCIETY
SPETEMBER 2015
Amanda Jacobs, Ph.D. Student, Ed Psych
EPS President/Treasurer
Hello! I grew up in Pueblo, but moved to Evans two years ago to
pursue a Ph. D. in Educational Psychology at UNC. Like
Susannah, I am also a second year student. I have earned a
master’s in Ed Psych at UNC, and a master’s in Literacy from
Walden. I have a BS in Psychology from Colorado State
University – Pueblo. Before that, I had earned an AA degree
from Pueblo Community College. As you can guess, I really
enjoy being a student!
I work full time as the Director of Language Arts and Social
Studies Integrations at the state’s largest online high school,
GOAL Academy. I have been there six years and have watched
it grow from a school of 500 students to close to 4,000 students this year! Ninety-five percent of our
student population is considered high-risk, which can be challenging but fulfilling.
Because of my numerous and close experiences with it, my research lies in online education. Right now I
am keenly interested in teacher behaviors and how they correlate with student engagement in an online
environment.
In my spare time (whatever that is), I enjoy pottery, photography, cycling, and being outdoors. I also
really enjoy going to concerts. I went to seven just this summer! I have been married to Jesse for ten years.
We have three dogs and one cat that take the place of children for us. I am honored to serve as president
of the EPS, and look forward to having a productive and exciting year!
Michael Phillips, Ph.D.
EPS Faculty Sponsor
My primary research interests span several
areas of motivation along with particular
methodologies used to study motivation in the
moment. First, and central to my program of
research, is the investigation of instructional
approaches and strategies identified as potential
ways to develop interest and how they can be
used to foster appreciation for what is learned.
The second strand of my research program has
focused on academic motivational factors and
behaviors related to at-risk college students who
use marijuana. For both facets of my research, I
have been using ecological momentary
assessment (EMA) to gather in the moment
data regarding motivational factors.
In my free time, I like getting outside to enjoy the outdoors with my partner, Kristina, and our dog,
Teddy. In the picture, we were enjoying our time in the mountains snowshoeing.
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