Research Mentor Information
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Primary Research Mentor Name: Spirit Karcher
Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns: She/Her
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Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): sk18f@fsu.edu
Position Title: Graduate Student
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FSU College (if applicable): Education
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation: School of Teacher Education
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Additional Research Mentor(s)
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Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from above): {Empty}
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Overall Project Details
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Title of the Project: Graduate Student Instructors’ Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching Exponential Functions
Project Keywords: Mathematics Education, Undergraduate Mathematics, Professional Development, Teaching Assistants
Are you currently looking for research assistants?: No
Number of Research Assistants Needed : 2
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s):
Open to all majors

Project Location:: On FSU Main Campus
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Please select the choice that most accurately describes your expectations for the research assistant(s):: In-person
Approximately how many hours a week would the research assistant(s) need to work?: 5
Roughly what time frame do you expect research assistant(s) to work?: During business hours
Overall Research Project Description:
The goal of this research project is to examine the types of knowledge that graduate student instructors (GSIs) use when teaching student-centered and active learning classes. This project will follow mathematics graduate students serving as GSIs for small sections of Precalculus as they engage in professional development for and teaching of five active-learning lab units. These units are designed to supplement lecture class material by taking a deep dive into foundational Precalculus concepts such as quantitative and covariational reasoning, exponential and logarithmic function behavior, and modeling of real-world scenarios. The professional development provided to these GSIs is specific to the teaching of these labs with a focus on examining and analyzing student work, facilitating classroom discussions about mathematics, and creating classrooms where students feel comfortable and safe to share their thinking with their peers. I am looking for research assistants who are interested in learning more about education research processes such as qualitative data collection and management, mathematics learning and teaching, and/or professional development for practicing teachers. 

Research Tasks:
Tasks for the UROP research assistants will primarily focus on assisting in data collection for this project. This data collection will occur during the professional development meetings, interviews, and GSIs’ lab/lecture classes. The research assistants will help set up video and audio recording devices as well as transferring data to the storage device. The research assistant will use transcription software along with the researcher to produce written transcriptions of the audio data. The research assistant will also engage in a critical review of relevant literature chosen in consultation with the research mentor as part of the poster presentation for Spring. 

Skills that research assistant(s) may need::
Recommended: Technology - video media and audio recording, Excel, Temi Transcription, Zoom, Interpersonal Communication 

Mentoring Philosophy:
As a mentor or team leader, I strive to create an inclusive environment where all team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and providing feedback to one another. I believe that everyone has valuable contributions to make to a project and should be supported in achieving those contributions. I plan to work with the UROP research assistants to understand their goals and interests in order to best support this research project as well as their personal and professional growth. Responsive communication is a must for this project and there is an expectation that team members will respond within 24 hours during the school week. 

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Roundtable times and Zoom links:
Wednesday, September 6th at 10:30am (https://fsu.zoom.us/j/91556805924) 
Thursday, September 7th at 1:00pm (https://fsu.zoom.us/j/91724985475)

UROP Program Elements
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Mentor Handbook, FAQs, and Communication: Yes
UROP Performance Evaluation: Yes
Materials Grant: Yes
UROP Poster Presentation: Yes
Faculty Advisor Confirmation: {Empty}

Are you interested in attending in a UROP Research Mentor Workshop Series?: Yes
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Year: 2023
update url: https://cre.fsu.edu/urop-research-mentor-project-submission-portal?token=sKOKKHk3_jNTToXnwBylB3rXAOphiqceSjH1gkLh3bQ