UROP Project
Teens, Teachers, and Online Information
teens, social media, information literacy, school
Research Mentor: Dr. or first name is okay, too. Vanessa Dennen, she/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Educational Psychology & Learning Systems, Education
Contact Email: vdennen@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Educational Psychology & Learning Systems, Education
Contact Email: vdennen@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Wednesday Sept 6 5:30-6 pm
Thursday Sept 7 12:00-12:30 pm
Same zoom link for both sessions: https://fsu.zoom.us/my/vdennen
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Wednesday Sept 6 5:30-6 pm
Thursday Sept 7 12:00-12:30 pm
Same zoom link for both sessions: https://fsu.zoom.us/my/vdennen
Project Description
This study combines interviews and media diary portfolios to explore how high school students make sense of information they encounter in their everyday online lives via information and communication technologies (ICTs), especially social media, and the role that science, social science, and English teachers play in developing and shaping their information literacy and fluency skills. The study is situated in these disciplines because of the quantity of information and misinformation shared online about science-related topics like climate change and health to civics-related topics like social and political issues. This year we will be engaged in data collection during the fall term and moving into data processing, coding, and analysis during the spring.Research Tasks: Data collection and processing, including interviews. Data coding and analysis (qualitative data).
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Strong organizational skills and attention to detail are needed.
We will train you on all research-specific skills.
Students need to complete CITI training (“FSU Faculty, Staff, and Students” Social/Behavioral) before beginning any work.
Mentoring Philosophy
UROP offers a great opportunity for students to have early research experiences. I apply the cognitive apprenticeship model in my research teams, in which my UROP mentees are full members of the research team. As cognitive apprentices, you get to see all parts of the research process, contribute your own insights along the way, and gradually gain responsibilities as you learn how to perform different research tasks. I have high expectations for our research outcomes, and will train and support you to meet them. I will also seek ways to help you work toward your long-term educational and professional goals.Above all else, I believe in kindness, respect, and lifelong learning, and aim to foster a research environment that supports these ideals.
I have worked with many UROP students over the years. Many have become collaborators on presentations at national conferences and some have published with me. The opportunity is there for you if you seek it. :)