Research Interests & Abilities

Major Research Activities

Dr. Bisanz ’s primary research interests are in the study of children’s cognitive development with emphasis on literacy skills, the role of knowledge and critical thinking in reading comprehension, informal learning in science, and formal science instruction. Much of her recent work has been focused on understanding what individuals need to know to critically evaluate the scientific research they encounter in the media and to be effective consumers of scientific information over the course of their lives. Gay Bisanz is presently a co-investigator on a SSHRC-funded research team led by Mark Gierl, in the Faculty of Education, focused on understanding the cognitive processes and learning opportunities that underlie gender differences on science achievement tests. She is also co-principle investigator, with Jeffrey Bisanz, on a SSHRC grant titled: “The Development of Scientific Literacy Skills: Evaluating Reports of Scientific Research in the News and on the Net”. For the network grant, she proposes to conduct research focused on studying the roots of disciplinary and public literacy in science and its implications for early schooling.

CLLRNet Research Projects

• Studying the Roots of Disciplinary Literacy in Science: Implications for Designed Learning Environments Inside and Outside School  (Project Leader)

Last Modified: January 21 2002 14:50:15.