Shiang-Kwei Wang, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Department: Instructional Technology
School: Education
Campus: Old Westbury

Member of NYIT Since: 2003

Looking for the next killer app? Ask Associate Professor of Instructional Technology Shiang-Kwei Wang, the go-to person for information about technologies from computer games to iPhone apps, and how to use them as teaching tools. She is applying this knowledge to interdisciplinary research funded by a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation for research on "Cyber-Enabled Learning: Digital Natives in Integrated Scientific Inquiry Classrooms."

"The best part of my job is that I get to learn new things," Wang says. "Collaborating with people on this grant is a great achievement for all of us."

Her partners on the five-year project are Hui-Yin Hsu, associate professor of teacher education, and Lisa Runco, assistant professor of life sciences. During the summer, the trio conducted the grant's first teacher training workshop with 15 New York City teachers. They tested water in Long Island ponds and swamps for pollution using computer probes, generated water quality data spreadsheets with iPod Touches, and later shared findings on an educational social networking site modeled after Facebook.

Their second workshop is scheduled for winter 2012, and Wang, Hsu and Runco will present their research at the American Educational Research Association conference, April 13-17, 2012 in Vancouver, Canada.

Wang grew up in Taipei, Taiwan, and came to the United States to earn a doctorate in instructional technology from the University of Georgia. She joined NYIT eager to live and work near New York City, and travels frequently to present research.

"To be able to work with experts in different areas and devoted graduate students is the most rewarding experience," Wang says.