Brenda Matthis

Brenda Matthis
Professional Title:  Associate Professor
Areas of Academic Focus and Expertise:  
Emergent technologies and disabilities; software design; educational software; 21st century educational tools; uses of iPads for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Area of Work and Concentration at Lesley:  
Educational technology; software design; robotics
Representative List of Recent Courses Taught:  
Emerging Technologies; 21st Century Teaching: Supporting All Learners with Technology; Introduction to Educational Robotics
Education:  Ed.D., Harvard University; Ed.M., Harvard University; B.B.A., University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee

During Dr. Matthis's tenure as the director of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Division, she said, "One of the best parts of directing such a great program is teaching some of the courses in it. There's always a fresh perspective gained by discussing the educational challenges of bringing 21st century tools to the classroom with teachers who are challenged with that goal. At the same time I'm fully aware that as the guardian of the program, I'm charged with supporting educators of educators and that's a large responsibility, and I love that as well.
 
A software designer for 19 years, Dr. Matthis received her master and doctorate degrees in education from Harvard University, focusing on the social construction of educational software. In 2005-2006, Dr. Matthis lived in Japan as a Fulbright scholar, lecturing on special education in U.S. and Universal Design for Learning (UDL); and researching the use of technology with undergraduate, graduate, and in-service teachers. "One the highlights of my career so far is working with CAST and learning how to implement Universal Design for Learning. It's a teaching and learning methodology for our time. There's nothing more important at this moment in education than teaching every student in the classroom so that everyone gets the content, not just those who can access the text easily."

In 2010, Dr. Matthis launched the 21st Century Micro-Loan Technology Kit for Teachers in Title I Schools Project as a result of her observation that there are so many teachers with little to no funding for technology but who are anxious to bring their teaching into the 21st century. The first two grantees will be chosen in December. Dr. Matthis's latest research is the use of iPads for students with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

bmatthis@lesley.edu  

Brenda is currently writing a book, Mogu Mogu Mothers of Kitakyushu, a result of her research with colleagues at the Fukuoka University of Education and Japanese mothers who use multimedia and technology with their children with severe cognitive disabilities. She lived in Japan as a Fulbright Scholar.