Behind Our Research


Amber Rowland

"In education research, it's a fine line between cutting edge advancement and being 'one more thing' for an educator to have to do. Our challenge - when we ask an educator to join a project or try a new tool or method of instruction - that we are enhancing what they are doing."
Amber Rowland

What do you do at KUCRL? 

I am an Assistant Research Professor at the University of Kansas. I specialize in collaborative, practical and engaging adult professional learning with an emphasis on current instructional practices and the powerful integration of technology. I am particularly interested in the power of conversation in learning and I'm constantly pursuing methods for tapping into the collective capacity of educators through virtual coaching, and virtual communities of practice. I have been and am currently Co-Principal Investigator on multiple projects funded by NSF, OSEP, IES. My experience ranges from Kindergarten to the college classroom where I have taught at multiple levels, both face-to-face and online.

What attracted you to working at KUCRL?

As an undergraduate student in 2000, I was accepted into the Professional Development Schools (PDS) program in the KU School of Education. Jerry Chaffin was a professor in the Special Education department, as well as a CRL Research Scientist. He was testing out a large video conferencing (VC) system that required a device and a television on a big rolling cart. He began asking the PDS students if they would be willing to demonstrate teaching a lesson via the VC system to faculty at KU. I believe I was the first student he asked who asked more questions and didn't immediately say "no", thus, I got the gig. At the end of my lesson, Dr. Chaffin, amid a room full of excited faculty, thanked me for teaching my worm lesson with my kindergartners and then asked if there was anything he could do to help me. I jokingly said, "Well, I'm looking for a job." He replied that he might have just the thing. The rest is history. I began working with Jerry, teaching K-12 students via the new VC technology and traveling all over conducting professional learning sessions for teachers on various technology integration topics. Eventually I got my master's degree and eventually my doctorate. I worked my way up at CRL from student hourly to Research Professor and am now the Co-Director of ALTEC. The moral of the story and a lesson that Jerry taught me many times over, is when someone begins to push the boundary of what you think you can do, don't say "no", say "maybe so".

What are your hopes as you look forward to the future of your work?

I've spent my career thus far imagining how innovative technology can enhance our field. I want to continue to develop technologies and programs that support the individualization of teaching and learning for students and educators. It is critical to work directly with practitioners to ensure I remain grounded in the field while pushing against barriers that keep us from advancement.

What inspires you?

Educators who are passionate about their craft and students feeling confident in their learning. Especially if they have struggled previously and something that we do together shifts their trajectory in a positive direction. That's why I do what I do.