University of Redlands

Nicol R. Howard

Dean; Co-Director of the REAL Lab
School of Education, Department of Teaching and Learning

Photo of Nicol R. Howard

Areas of Expertise

  • STEM education opportunities for students of color and professional learning for teachers
  • K12 technology program evaluations
  • Computer science curricula and program development in K12 education
  • International and national database analyses
  • Teacher Education and development

Education

Ph.D. Chapman University- Orange, CA

M.A. Azusa Pacific University- Azusa, CA

B.A.  University of California Los Angeles- Los Angeles, CA

For the Media

Contact :
Media Relations

Contact

North University Hall
120D
P: 909.748.8915
E: nicol_howard@redlands.edu

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Background

Nicol R. Howard, PhD was named Dean for the University of Redland’s School of Education after serving as the school’s Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. Dr. Howard is also the Co-Director of the Race in Education Analytics Learning Lab (REAL Lab) where she engages students in quantitative and mixed methods research projects that allow them to critically examine systems, policies, and practices as they seek change within their various professional contexts.

Dr. Howard’s research focuses on learning experiences and identity development in STEM and Computer Science education, as well as family involvement. Recently she has been examining the racialized experiences of Black girls and families in mathematics, science, and computer science learning spaces, through quantitative and mixed methods studies. She is a National Science Foundation QCM Scholar in the Institute in Critical Quantitative, Computational, and Mixed-Methodology (ICQCM). In addition to her journal publications, Dr. Howard has published works in practitioner-focused outlets and has co-authored three books: Closing the Gap: Digital Equity Strategies for Teacher Prep Programs, Closing the Gap: Digital Equity Strategies for the K-12 Classroom, and Coding+Math: Strengthen K-5 Math Skills with Computer Science. She is also co-editor for the Journal of Computer Science Integration and an associate editor for the American Educational Research Association’s (AERA) Review in Educational Research journal. Previously, Dr. Howard served for AERA’s Technology, Instruction, Cognition, and Learning SIG as a chair, program chair, and communications officer. She currently serves as the Communications Chair for AERA’s Research in Mathematics Education SIG and co-chairs the California Council on Teacher Education’s Policy Committee and Spring Policy Action Network. 

Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Redlands, Dr. Howard taught at the high school level (9th – 12th grades and Special Education), grades K through 5 and was a Program Specialist in Personalized and Blended Learning. Her continued work is motivated by the encouragement and support she received throughout her own academic and professional journey. She believes that successful education is achieved when students are provided encouragement, support, and quality academic direction.

Area(s) of Expertise

STEM and Computer Science equity

Digital equity

Parent involvement and partnerships

Teacher education

International and national database analyses

Research & Professional Highlights

Nicol R. Howard, PhD is currently the Interim Dean for the University of Redlands' School of Education. She is also the Co-Director of the Race in Education Analytics Learning Lab (REAL Lab). Prior to joining the faculty at the UoR, Dr. Howard served as an educator in various capacities for over 20 years. She taught at the high school level (9th – 12th grades and Special Education), grades K through 5, and was a Program Specialist in Personalized and Blended Learning. Dr. Howard also taught in the College of Educational Studies at Chapman University.

In addition to teaching, Dr. Howard has served as chair for the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Technology, Instruction, Cognition, and Learning SIG and co-chaired the International Society for Technology in Education's (ISTE's) Digital Equity Network. She has also served on the board of directors for the California Council on Teacher Education (CCTE), where she is currently the co-chair for their Technology and Teacher Education SIG, Policy Committee, and the Spring Policy Action Network (SPAN).

Dr. Howard's past and present experiences, along with the notion of equity in education, influence her commitment as an educator, researcher, learner, and educational writer. She has facilitated multiple courses and professional learning opportunities for teachers related to equity, educational technology, learning theories, and research methods. Her specific research interests are related to STEM equity, specifically the academic and parental support of students of color, digital equity, and issues related to equity in professional learning for teachers.

In addition to her teaching and research background, Dr. Howard is a Google for Education Certified Trainer, Microsoft Surface Expert, Certified Microsoft Innovative Expert and Trainer, and she is Raspberry Pi Certified. She is the recent recipient of ISTE's Making IT Happen Award and an Outstanding Faculty Award in Service at the University of Redlands.

Dr. Howard's concern for certain inequities in education and her research projects have led to publications in educational journals, such as the Urban Education Journal, e-Learning and Digital Media, the International Journal of Educational Technology, and Educause. Additionally, she has written for ISTE, Edutopia, and Corwin Connect. She also co-authored the following books: Standing in the Gap: Empowering New Teachers through Connected Resources, Closing the Gap: Digital Equity Strategies for Teacher Prep Programs, Closing the Gap: Digital Equity Strategies for the K-12 Classroom, Coding+Math: Strengthen K-5 Math Skills with Computer Science. Dr. Howard is also the co-founder and co-editor for the Journal of Computer Science Integration.

Degrees & Licensures

Nicol Howard earned a B.A. from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and an M.A. in Educational Technology at Azusa Pacific University. She received her Ph.D. in Education, with an emphasis in Cultural and Curricular Studies from Chapman University. She also holds a California Clear Teaching Credential.

Publications

PEER-REVIEWED WORKS:

Howard, N. R. (2020). Terms of engagement: Redefining parental involvement and STEM Identity for Black girls. In N. M. Joseph (Ed.), Understanding the Intersections of Race, Gender, and Gifted Education: An Anthology By and About Talented Black Girls and Women in STEM. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.

Howard, N. R. & Howard, K. E. (2020). Coding+Math: Strengthen K-5 Math Skills with Computer Science. Portland, OR: International Society for Technology in Education.

Howard, N. R., Howard, K. E., Busse, R. T., Hunt, C. (2019). Let’s talk: An examination of parental involvement as a predictor of STEM achievement in Math for high school girls. Urban Education. doi: 10.1177/0042085919877933

Thomas, S., Howard, N. R., & Schaffer, R. (2019). Closing the Gap: Digital Equity Strategies for the K-12 Classroom. Portland, OR: International Society for Technology in Education.

Howard, N. R. (2019). Chasing resources: A mixed methods study of a professional learning opportunity. E-Learning and Digital Media, (16)6, 497-510. doi:10.1177/2042753019860617

Howard, N.R. (2019). EdTech Leaders’ Beliefs: How are K-5 teachers supported with the integration of computer science in K-5 classrooms?. Technology, Knowledge and Learning, 24(2), 203-217. doi:10.1007/s10758-018-9371-2

Howard, N. R., Thomas, S., & Schaffer, R. (2018). Closing the Gap: Digital Equity Strategies for Teacher Prep Programs. Portland, OR: International Society for Technology in Education.

Howard, N.R. & Ifenthaler, D. (2018). Integrating STEM Opportunities for Young Learners. Technology, Knowledge and Learning, 23(2), 1-3. doi: 10.1007/s10758-018-9364-1

Howard, N.R. & Howard, K.E. (2017). Using tablet technologies to engage and motivate urban high school students. International Journal of Educational Technology, 4(2), 66-74.

Howard, N.R. & Thomas, S. (2016). Why EdCamps are the New Professional Development. In B. Harris (Ed.), Snapshot in Education 2016. Maryland: EM.

Dabbs, L., & Howard, N. R. (2015). Standing in the Gap: Empowering New Teachers Through Connected Resources. Thousand Oaks, CA. Corwin Press, A SAGE Publication.​

Howard, K. E., Curwen, M. S., Howard, N. R., & Colon-Muniz, A. (2013; 2015). Attitudes Toward Using Social Networking Sites in Educational Settings with Underperforming Latino Youth: A mixed methods study. Urban Education. 50(8), 989–1018. doi: 10.1177/0042085914537000

Howard, N. R. (2012). I'm not your friend: Social networking in university classes. EDUCAUSE Review Online.

CONTRIBUTING WORKS:

Howard, N. R. & Taylor, K. (2020). Culturally Responsive Pedagogies in Turbulent Times (and Beyond). Impact Journal. (In Press)

Howard, N. R. & Hsieh, B. (2020). Do 1, Watch/Listen 2, Read/Explore 3: A Protocol For Individual Anti-Racism Work. EduMatch and Figshare. doi: 10.6084/m9.figshare.12642986

Howard, N.R. (2018, September). 4 strategies to narrow the digital equity gap for preservice teachers. ISTE Blog.

Howard, N.R., Fisher, M.E., Jenkins, T., Cueto, K., Luschei, L., Dorner, M., Vachon, A., & Achieng Evenson, C. (2017, November). Breaking the Ice: Building Classroom Engagement and Collaboration. CCNews.

Howard, N.R. (2017, May). Why I Teach. Education Echo. University of Redlands. ​​Howard, N.R. & Thomas, S.J. (2016, July). EdCamps: The New Professional Development. Edutopia: A George Lucas Foundation.

Howard, N.R. (2016, January). Come Along and Ride on a Google Expedition. Edutopia: A George Lucas Foundation.

Howard, N.R. (2015, October). 5 Be's for Connected and Curious Educators. Edutopia: A George Lucas Foundation.

Howard, N.R. (2015, August). Calling All Students to the Front, Please. Edutopia: A George Lucas Foundation.

Howard, N.R. (2015, July). Four "Be"s for the New and Not-So-New Teachers. Corwin Connect.

Howard, N.R. & Howard, K.E. (2015, June). Dear Micaela: An Open Letter to Our Daughter, A Teacher's Kid. Edutopia: A George Lucas Foundation.

Howard, N.R. (2015, April). Math + Technology = Achievement: Is there Something Missing? Corwin Connect.

Howard, N.R. (2015, April). CyberSafety: Mock it, Don't Block it. Edutopia: A George Lucas Foundation.

Howard, N.R. (2015, March). Deconstructing Blackness. Edutopia: A George Lucas Foundation.

Howard, K. E. & Howard, N. R. (2014, July). 8 considerations for social networks in classrooms. eCampus News.

Professional Affiliations, Societies & Memberships

American Educational Research Association

American Psychological Association

American Sociological Association

Association for Computing Machinery - Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education

California Council on Teacher Education

Computer Science Teachers Association

International Society for Technology in Education

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

National Education Association

Awards

Institute in Critical Quantitative, Computational, and Mixed-Methodologies (ICQCM) - National Science Foundation QCM Scholars Cohort (2021)

Outstanding Faculty Award (Service), University of Redlands (2020)

Making IT Happen Award, International Society for Technology in Education (2019)

Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Award, Chapman University (2016)

James L. Doti Outstanding Graduate Student Award (University-Level), Chapman University  (2015)

Joel Colbert Distinguished PhD in Education Outstanding Student Award (College-Level), Chapman University (2015)

Walter Valentine Endowed Chair Research Award, Chapman University (2014)

American Educational Research Association Institute on Statistical Analysis: Causal Analysis, AERA/NSF Grants Program (2014)

STEM Grant for robotics in elementary classrooms, Education Foundation for Orange County Schools (2014-2015)

Chromebook Grant for 2:1 devices in elementary classrooms, Santa Ana Unified School District Mini-Grant (2014-2015)

STEM and Social Science Grant for Minecraft on CA Missions Project, Orange County Community and Foundation (OCCF)/ FEDCO Grant (2014 - 2015)

Science Grant for Water Exploration Project, Orange County Community and Foundation (OCCF)/ FEDCO Grant (2013 - 2014)

Faculty Appreciation Honoree, Chapman University (2012)

Graduate Scholar Grant for research on the use of social media in higher ed classes, Diversity in Organizations, Communities, and Nations (2012)

Phi Delta Kappa Honors Award, 2010

Social media, Web links, YouTube channel, etc.

https://twitter.com/nicolrhoward

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