David F. Jackson

Biography

David is originally from Stamford, CT, where he graduated from Westhill High School. At the undergraduate level he studied paleontology and evolutionary theory at Harvard with Prof. Stephen Jay Gould and served as laboratory research assistant under Dr. Gould, field research assistant under Charles Mitchell, and research fellow under Dr. Niles Eldredge at the American Museum of Natural History. He taught General Science, Earth Science, and Physical Science in grades 5-9 for 4 years in private schools in Minneapolis and suburban Philadelphia, and taught part-time and helped to develop the science-related aspects of the Computer Applications Program curriculum for 4 years in the Detroit Public Schools. His doctoral studies under Dr. Carl Berger at the University of Michigan focused primarily on the role of electronic technologies in science teaching, especially the use of computer-assisted graphical data analysis and the role of educational games and simulations in science learning. He was a member of the Science Education faculty at UGA for 34 years, served as Graduate Coordinator for Science Education for 13 years, and served as Program Coordinator for Science Education and Associate Department Head for Mathematics and Science Education for 3 years. His primary areas of research presentation and publication have been the use of electronic technologies in science teaching, the teaching of historical geology and evolutionary biology, and all aspects of middle school science teaching and teacher education. Over his last seven years at UGA his primary focus was on the development of asynchronous online courses, resulting in the launch of the online M.Ed. degree program in Science Education in 2019, and of site-based science methods courses, taught in conjunction with practicing middle school teachers in their Clarke County School District classrooms, in the Middle Grades teacher education program.

Areas of Expertise

  • teaching of historical geology and evolutionary biology
  • middle school science teaching
  • middle school science teacher education

Interests

  • interaction of scientific and religious modes of thought
  • challenges to the teaching of evolution posed by creationism
  • data analysis and other scientific practices in middle school science
  • cognitive challenges in physics learning
  • interaction of state and national standards with teachers' currriculum priorities

Concentrations

Education

  •  AB in Geological Sciences, 1982
    Harvard University
  •  EdD in Science Education, 1990
    University of Michigan

Contact

 706-542-4194 (office)

Awards and Accolades

Practical Applications Award

National Association for Research in Science Teaching, 1991

Gustav Ohaus Award for Innovations in Science Teaching

National Science Teachers Association, 1996

Journal of Research in Science Teaching Award

National Association for Research in Science Teaching, 1996

Outstanding Teaching Award

College of Education, University of Georgia, 1999

Faculty Senate D. Keith Osborn Award for Teaching Excellence

College of Education, University of Georgia, 2001

UGA Teaching Academy

University of Georgia, 2019