Janis A. Bulgren, PhD

Research Professor, Emeritus

Contact Info

jbulgren@ku.edu

Joseph R. Pearson Hall
1122 W. Campus Rd.
Lawrence, KS

Biography —

Janis Bulgren, Ph.D. is a Research Professor at the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning. Her research addresses ways that teachers can plan for and provide instruction so that all students can understand critical content information, engage in reasoning, and generalize learning and reasoning. Students include those with learning disabilities and at-risk for school failure or low achievement as well as those who are average-achieving and high achieving.

Education —

Ph.D. in Special Education, 1987, The University of Kansas

M.A., University of Iowa, 1965

B.A. in English and Secondary Education, University of Iowa, 1963
With hHonors in English and Highest distinction in Special Education

Research —

The focus of her research is on both acquisition of critical content-area knowledge and cognitive approaches to higher-order thinking and reasoning. She has developed instructional materials and procedures for teachers to use to help students with comprehend concepts, make comparisons, answer critical questions, explain cause-and-effect relationships, analyze and evaluate arguments, and make decisions.

Dr. Bulgren’s recent research on analysis and evaluation of scientific and socio-scientific arguments has been extended to the development of an educational game to support student learning and engagement in argumentation. She is currently collaborating on an Innovation in Instruction grant with SRI and CAST to develop integrated sets of instructional procedures for units in science and social studies, and to support that instruction with technology. She has served as PI or co-PI on grants from the National Science Foundation and the Department of Education. Dr. Bulgren has collaborated with many researchers at the KUCRL as well as specialists in the KU School of Education and other research and development entities.

Teaching —

Teaching Interests

Content area learning

Selected Publications —

Bulgren, J.A. (July, 2017). Using Content Enhancement Graphics as Essay Writing Supports. Presentation at the International SIM Conference. Lawrence, KS.

Bulgren, J.A. & Hock, M. (July, 2017). Information gathering session on adaptations to Content Enhancement graphics and Reading Programs. Presentation at the International SIM Conference. Lawrence, KS.

Bulgren, J.A., Schiller, E., Blackorby, J. & Spriggs, C. (July, 2017). Iterative development research insights from an Investing in Innovation Grant. Presentation at the International SIM Conference, Lawrence, KS.

Bulgren, J.A. (July, 2016). The Scientific Argumentation Routine. Presentation at the International SIM Conference. Lawrence, KS.

Rowland, A., Ellis, J., Craig-Hare, J., Ault, M., Bradley, B., Bulgren, J. (2015). Social Media for Learning: Platform Preferences, Digital Citizenship and Authenticity. Paper presentation given at the annual meeting of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). Philadelphia, PA.

Ellis, J., Rowland, A., Ault, M., Bulgren, J.; Bradley, B., CraigHare, J. (January, 2015). Using social media to enhance the practice of scientific argumentation. Presented at the annual meeting of the Association of Science Teacher Education. Portland, OR.

Selected Presentations —

Bulgren, J.A. (July, 2017). Using Content Enhancement Graphics as Essay Writing Supports. Presentation at the International SIM Conference. Lawrence, KS.

Bulgren, J.A. (July, 2016). The Scientific Argumentation Routine. Presentation at the International SIM Conference. Lawrence, KS.

Rowland, A., Ellis, J., CraigHare, J., Ault, M., Bradley, B., Bulgren, J. (August, 2014). Enhance Teaching and Learning with Social Media: Supporting Teacher Learning and Student Scientific Argumentation. Poster presented at the 2014 DR K12 PI Meeting for the National Science Foundation: Washington, DC.

Grants & Other Funded Activity —

Bulgren, J.A. (2014-present). Subcontract as Principal Investigator, Redesigning Secondary Courses to Improve Academic Outcomes Related to Higher Standards for Students with Disabilities and Other Underperforming Students, subcontract with SRI International, funded by the U.S. Department of Education Investing in Innovation Fund (i3).

Ellis, J.D., Ault, M.M., Rowland. A.L., & Bulgren, J.A. (2013-2016). Enhancing argumentation with social media: Supporting teacher professional. National Science Foundation. ($429,784)

Sumner, J.A., & Bulgren, J.A. (2010-2015). Inclusive network for reading, math, and LRE in Kansas: A comprehensive technical assistance system. State of Kansas. ($1,576,635)

Bulgren, J.A., Ault, M., Ellis, J.D., & Frey, B. (2010-2014). The evidence games: Collaborative games engaging middle school students in the evaluation of scientific evidence. National Science Foundation. ($1,994,939)

Ellis, J. & Bulgren, J. (2006-2010). Professional development materials to develop student knowledge and skills of scientific argumentation. National Science Foundation. ($351,684).

Deshler, D.D., Schumaker, J.B., Hock, M.F., & Bulgren, J.B. (2005-2007). A national randomized study to validate an adolescent reading program for 9th graders. U.S. Department of Education Institute for Education Sciences and Vocational and Adult Education. ($1.4 million)

Hock, M F., Ault, M., James, J., & Bulgren, J.A. (2005-2008). MATRIX (Middle school achievement through technology-rich interventions. Subcontract with Wexford. ($1,350,000)

Bulgren, J.A. (2002-2007). Model demonstration: Strategic advantage: Ensuring the success of ninth graders with disabilities through intensive instruction. U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences. ($700,000)