CTRL is a joint collaboration between the University of Florida College of Education and the College of Education at Illinois.
About CTRL
The Creative Technology Research Lab (CTRL) is a research lab associated with the University of Florida and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The primary aim of the CTRL is to investigate how to meaningfully engage all learners in technology-mediated learning, with a focus on computer science and computational thinking. The focus of the lab is on rigorous research, K-12 outreach, and advocacy.
Our Projects
Teaching All Computational Thinking through Inclusion and Collaboration
Through a National Science Foundation STEM+C grant, Drs. Maya Israel, George Reese, and Cinda Heeren in collaboration with Champaign Unit 4 school district are studying ways of making computer science education more accessible and engaging to elementary and middle school students with disabilities.
Collaborative Computing Observation Instrument
The C-COI is an observation instrument used in conjunction with video screen capture software. It allows researchers to observe videos of students' the computer screens and listen to their conversations as they engage in computer programming. With the C-COI, researchers can analyze areas such as time on task, students' collaborative problem solving, social behaviors, persistences, and help seeking/giving behaviors.
Learning Trajectories for Everyday Computing
UChicago STEM at the University of Chicago and the University of Florida’s College of Education have an NSF STEM+C have a collaborative project to create prototype learning trajectories for integrated computer science and mathematics at Grades K-5. This project focuses on developing learning goals, progressions, and activities that are aligned with the Common Core State Standards-Mathematics (CCSS-M) and on researching meaningful ways of integrating computational thinking into elementary mathematics instruction.
Visit everydaycomputing.org for more information.