Academic Staff

Dr. Van Aalst, Jan C. W.


Personal Particulars

 B.Sc., M.Sc. (Alberta); Ph.D. (Toronto)
Associate Professor

Research Areas

 Learning sciences, knowledge building, assessment, teacher education

Teaching Areas

 Multimedia Case Studies, Educational Research and Enquiry, School-Based Assessment, PGDE (Physics)

Awards
  1. 2006 (with Lee and Chan) “Most Usable Research Paper Award”, Virtual Design Centre, Centre for Educational Technology, NASA-funded Classroom for Future.


  2. 2005 (with Eddy Lee and Carol Chan). “Best Research Paper Award”, Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning, 2005 (CSCL, 2005). Taipei, Taiwan, May 30 - June 4, 2005.


Publications

 A)    Refereed journal articles and book chapters

  1. Van Aalst, J., Fung, W.H., Li, S.M. & Wong, P.Y. (revised and resubmitted). Exploring information literacy in secondary schools in Hong Kong: A case study. Library & Information Science Research.


  2. Niu, H., & Van Aalst, J. (in press). Participation in knowledge building: An analysis of online discussions in mainstream and honors social studies courses. Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology, 33.


  3. Chan, C.K.K., & Van Aalst, J. (accepted, 2007). Collaborative knowledge building and networked multi-media environments. In J. Voogt & G. Knezek (Eds.), International Handbook of information technology in education. Dordrecht, The Netherlands, Springer.

  1. Lee, E.Y.C., Chan, C.K.K, & Van Aalst, J., & (2006). Students assessing their own collaborative knowledge building. International Journal for Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning, 1, 277-307.


  2. Van Aalst, J., & Chan, C.K..K. (2007). Student-directed assessment of knowledge building using electronic portfolios in Knowledge Forum. The Journal of the Learning Sciences, 16, 175-220.


  3. Chan, C.K.K., & Van Aalst, J. (2006). Computer-supported collaborative knowledge building in teacher development: Experience from Hong Kong and Canadian Teachers. Teaching Education, 17, 7-26.


  4. Van Aalst, J. (2006). Rethinking the nature of online work in asynchronous learning networks. British Journal of Educational Technology, 37, 279-288.


  5. Van Aalst, J., & Cummings, M. (2006). Implementing knowledge building: Analysis of a face to face discussion by grade four students. Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education, 6, 351-368.

  1. Van Aalst, J., & Hill, C.M. (2006). Activity theory as a framework for analyzing knowledge building. Learning Environments Research, 9, 23-44.


  2. Chan, C.K.K. & Van Aalst, J. (2004). Learning, assessment, and collaboration in computer-supported collaborative learning. In J. W. Strijbos, P. Kirschner, & R. Martens (Eds.), What we know about CSCL: and implementing it in higher education (pp. 87-112). Kluwer Academic Publishers.


  3. Van Aalst, J. (2000). An introduction to physics education research. Canadian Journal of Physics, 78, 57- 71.


  4. Van Aalst, J., & Key, T. (2000). Physics expectations of pre-professional students. Canadian Journal of Physics, 78, 73-78.


  5. Stephenson, J., & Van Aalst, J. (1986). Partition function zeros in statistical mechanics, III. Physica, A136, 166-175.

B)    Web Published Materials

  1. Lee, E. Y. C., Chan, C.K.K., & Van Aalst, J. (2006). Students assessing their own knowledge advances in a knowledge-building environment. http://vdc.cet.edu/entries/lee.htm. Invited summary paper based on Most Usable Research Award, Virtual Design Centre website, NASA-funded classroom of the future.


  2. Hill, C.M., Van Aalst, J., Lee, E.Y.C., & Chan, C.K.K. (2003). How do we recognize knowledge building? A virtual tour. http://vdc.cet.edu/entries/lee.htm. Toronto, Ontarion, Canada: Institute of Knowledge Innovation and Information Technology.

C)    Refereed Conference Proceedings

  1. Lee, E.Y.C., Chan, C.K.K., & Van Aalst, J. (2005). Students assessing their own knowledge advances in a knowledge building environment. In T. Koschmann, D.D. Suthers, and T.-W. Chan (eds.), Computer supported collaborative learning 2005: The next 10 years [CD-ROM]. NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. (10 pages).


  2. Sha, L., & Van Aalst, J. (2005). Non-linear dynamical development of CSCL communities. In T. Koschmann, D.D. Suthers, and T.-W. Chan (eds.), Computer supported collaborative learning 2005: The next 10 years [CD-ROM]. NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. (5 pages).


  3. Van Aalst, J., Kamimura, J., & Chan, C.K.K. (2005). Exploring collective aspects of knowledge building through assessment. In T. Koschmann, D.D. Suthers, and T.-W. Chan (eds.), Computer supported collaborative learning 2005: The next 10 years [CD-ROM]. NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. (9 pages).


  4. Chan, C.K.K., Van Aalst, J. (2003). Assessing and scaffolding knowledge building: Pedagogical knowledge building principles and electronic portfolios. In B. Wasson, S. Ludvigsen, and U. Hoppe (eds.), Designing for change in networked learning environments. Proceedings of the International Conference on Computer Support for Collaborative Learning (pp. 21-30). Dordrecht, the Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers.


  5. Slater, A., & Van Aalst, J. (2002). An exploration of the role of sociocultural factors in students’ participation in knowledge-building communities. In G. Stahl (ed.), Computer Support for Collaborative Learning: Foundations for a CSCL community. Proceedings of the Computer-supported Collaborative Learning 2002 Conference (pp. 617-618). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.


  6. Van Aalst, J., & Chan, C.K.K. (2001, March). Beyond “sitting next to each other”: A design experiment on knowledge building in teacher education. In P. Dillenbourg, A Eurelings, and K. Hakkarainen (Eds.), European perspectives on computer-supported collaborative learning: Proceedings of the first European conference on computer-supported collaborative learning (pp. 20-28). Maastricht: University of Maastricht.


    7. Plus 17 conference papers at AERA and EARLI conferences

D)    Reviews, articles in professional journals, and curriculum materials

  1. Van Aalst, J. (2005). ‘Critical details’ and physics teaching. Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education, 5, 417-422.


  2. Van Aalst, J. (2002, revised 2005). Notes for quantitative research methods in education. Burnaby, BC: Author (95 pages).

  1. Hill, C.M., & Van Aalst, J. (2004). El profesor experimentado como constructor principiante de conocimiento: Hacia una agenda investigativa para la formación de profesores. Actas Pedagógicas, 2 (10), 84-94. [An Experienced Teacher as a Novice Knowledge Builder: Toward a Research Agenda for Teacher Education.]


  2. Van Aalst, J. (2004). Rethinking pedagogy and curriculum in post-secondary science education. Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education, 4, 259-269.


  3. Van Aalst, J. (Ed.) (2002). Science 8-12 Yearbook, Volume 2: Critical challenges by new science teachers in the Professional Development Program, Simon Fraser University. Burnaby, British Columbia: Author. (181 pages).


  4. Van Aalst, J. (Ed.) (2001). Science 8-12 Yearbook, Volume 1: Unit plans by new science teachers in the Professional Development Program, Simon Fraser University. Burnaby, British Columbia: Author. (143 pages).


  5. Van Aalst, J., & Katz, S. (1999). Book Review of P.M. King & K.S. Kitchener, Developing Reflective Judgment. Education Review, Aug. 11, 1999. http://coe.asu.edu.edrev/reviews/rev67.htm.

  1. Van Aalst, J. (1996). Teaching kinematics with microcomputer-based laboratory tools. Crucible, 27 (4), 23-25; republished in Output, 17 (20), 22-28 (1996).


  2. Van Aalst, J. (1995). Student understanding of mechanics concepts. Crucible, 26 (3), 25-30.


  3. Van Aalst, J. (1994). Motion and force: a constructivist approach. Teaching and learning resources for high school physics that make use of microcomputer-based laboratory tools. Toronto, ON: Author. (205 pages)


  4. Van Aalst, J. (1992, April). Understanding fractions. The Ontario Mathematics Gazette, 30 (3), 38.


  5. Van Aalst, J. (1989). Lecture Notes for PCS 010: Introductory Physics. Toronto, Ontario: Author. (120 pages).


Funded Research
  1. Helping students build knowledge: A new role for assessment.
    PI. Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada/SFU Discovery Park Fund, Canadian $9,978, awarded May 2004 (18 months).


  2. Beyond best practice: research-based innovation in education and knowledge work.
    Co-PI, with M. Scardamalia (University of Toronto). Social Sciences and Humanities Council of Canada, Canadian $3,000,000, awarded October 2002 (5 years).

  1. Teaching for understanding: An innovative approach for teacher professional development.
    Co-PI, with T. Laferierre (Laval). Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council INE outreach program, Canadian $49,800, awarded October 2002 (4 months).


  2. Sociocultural factors that influence knowledge building. SFU Faculty of Education, Research Fellowship, Canadian $12,000, awarded April 2001 (18 months).


  3. Virtual visitation and symmetric knowledge advancement: Two strategies for supporting school-based knowledge building.
    PI. Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Standard Research Grant, Canadian $117,000, awarded April 2000 (3 years).


  4. Information technology enhanced science learning and teacher education.
    PI: SFU/Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Canadian $8,500, awarded Dec.1999 (18 months).


  5. Computer supported collaborative learning using knowledge Forum: Testing and developing two data analysis strategies.
    PI: Simon Fraser University Presidential Research Fund, Canadian $9,975, awarded Dec. 1999 (18 months).


Services

 A)    Simon Fraser University (2000 to 2006)

  1. 2004-2006: Member, Senate Committee on Scholarships and Bursaries Policy.


  2. 2000-2006: Member, Senate Library Committee and Faculty Library Representative.


  3. 2003-2005: Member, Quantitative Support Group to the Undergraduate Curriculum Reform Implementation Reform Task Force.


  4. 2000-2003: Member, University Senate, Simon Fraser University.


  5. 2000-2002: Member, Senate Committee for Continuing Studies.


  6. 2001-2002: Member, Faculty Appointments Committee.


  7. 2000-2001: Member, Faculty Tenure and Promotion Committee.

B)    Reviewing

  1. Member, Program Committee, ICET Conference, 2006.


  2. Member of Scientific Committee, Qerty (Journal of Technology and Culture), 2005-.


  3. Program Chair, Science Learning and Teaching Special Interest Group, AERA conferences.


  4. Reviewer of grant proposals for Spencer Foundation (1999) and SSHRC (2002, 2004).


  5. Reviewer of numerous articles for: Alberta Journal of Educational Research, American Journal of Physics, British Journal of Educational Psychology, Canadian Journal of Education, Canadian Journal of Physics, Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology, Educational Researcher, International Journal of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning.


  6. Reviewer for CSCL conferences, 2005 and 2007.

C)    Practitioners

  1. 1991-1995 and 2000-2002: Presentations and workshops on microcomputer-based laboratories (MBL) presented to the American Association of Physics Teachers, the Ontario Association of Science Teachers, the Ontario Science Teachers Association, as well as school-based workshops.


  2. 2004: Hosted a series of virtual seminars on knowledge building for teachers.


  3. 2003, 2004: Host and organizer of two conferences for teachers on knowledge building, Simon Fraser University.


  4. 2001-2003: Member, Executive Committee of British Columbia Association of Physics Teachers.


Contacts

 Rm 323 Runme Shaw Building
Faculty of Education
The University of Hong Kong
Phone: (852) 2859-1956
Email: vanaalst@hkucc.hku.hk