Bryan Henderson
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Mail code: 1811Campus: Tempe
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Dr. J. Bryan Henderson is interested in utilizing the science of how people learn to help people learn science. He received his Ph.D. from Stanford University and is currently an Associate Professor of Science Education at Arizona State University in the College for Teaching and Learning Innovation and the Department of Physics.
Dr. Henderson has been a National Academy of Education/Spencer Fellow, an Associate Editor for the Journal of Research in Science Teaching, Program Chair of the American Educational Research Association SIG for Science Teaching and Learning, and Editorial Board member for Educational Researcher.
With six college degrees and a multidisciplinary research background, he has experience teaching a variety of courses in learning theories, statistics, and physics. Dr. Henderson was a recipient of the ASU Centennial Professorship Award for outstanding teaching, leadership, and service.
Ph.D., Science Education
2013, Stanford University – Stanford, CA
M.S., Physics
2008, Portland State University – Portland, OR
Graduate Certificate, Teaching Adult Learners
2008, Portland State University – Portland, OR
M.S., Education
2006, Portland State University – Portland, OR
B.S., Physics
2004, University of Washington – Seattle, WA
B.S., Astronomy
2004, University of Washington – Seattle, WA
B.A., Philosophy with a Minor in Applied Mathematics
2004, University of Washington – Seattle, WA
Guiding Research Questions:
- Increasing numbers of STEM students are taking their classes online. In what new ways can online STEM curriculum be facilitated and supported to promote deep science learning?
- People are increasingly turning to digital media spaces to make sense of important issues, many of which are scientific and/or technological in nature. How can we support students inside the classroom to more critically consume scientific information outside the classroom?
- How can emerging technologies be utilized to promote more frequent peer-to-peer interactions in science courses?
- How can teachers and their students be supported to promote increasingly critical interactive engagements?
- Speaking and listening, which are key modalities for peer interaction, can be much more difficult to assess than reading and writing literacy. How can speaking and listening, and particularly critical speaking and listening, be assessed in a more valid and reliable fashion?
- Most importantly, how can potential answers to all of the above questions be leveraged in a practical manner that educational practitioners will find useful?
*Indicates doctoral students
**Indicates postdoctoral scholars
**Demirel Ucan, A. & Henderson, J.B. (2026). A critical religious education perspective on argumentation in science and religious education. Science & Education. doi:10.1007/s11191-026-00765-1
Henderson, J. B. & *Chambers, E. L. (2024). The past, present, and future of clickers: A review. Education Sciences, 14(12), 1345. doi:10.3390/educsci14121345
Henderson, J. B. & Lewis, A. (2022). Utilizing technology to DiALoG classroom speaking and listening. NSTA Science Scope, 45(3), 14-18.
Morales, C., Goss, M., *Holton, A., Greenwald, E., & Henderson, J. B. (2022). The content and the conversation. NSTA Science Scope, 45(3), 28-33.
Henderson, J.B.,**Zillmer, N., *Holton, A., *Weiner, S., Greenwald, E., Goss, M., *Lopez, M. L., Morales, C., Pearson, P. D., & McNeill, K. (2021). How science teachers DiALoG their classrooms: Towards a practical and responsive formative assessment of oral classroom argumentation. Journal of Science Education and Technology. doi: 10.1007/s10956-021-09921-4
Henderson, J.B., Marley, S., Wilcox, J. M., Nailor, N., *Sowl, S., & *Close, K. (2020). Challenges assessing the impact of project-based learning on critical thinking skills. Journal of Assessment of Institutional Effectiveness, 10(1), 33-60.
Henderson, J.B. (2020). Adapting a popular technique in college lecture halls to k-12 classrooms. NSTA Science Scope, 43(9), 6-9.
Henderson, J. B. (2020). Integrating technology to support classroom argumentation. NSTA Science Scope, 43(8), 16-19.
Henderson, J.B. & Aguilera, E. (2020). Utilizing technology to support scientific argumentation in active learning classrooms. In J. Mintzes & E. Walter (Eds.), Active learning in college science: The case for evidence-based practice (pp. 587-602). Berlin: Springer Nature.
Henderson, J.B. (2019). Beyond “active” learning: How the ICAP framework permits more acute examination of the popular peer instruction pedagogy. Harvard Educational Review, 89(4), 611-634. doi: 10.17763/1943-5045-89.4.611
Henderson, J.B. & Osborne, J. (2019). Using computer technology to support the teaching and learning of argumentation in chemistry. In S. Erduran (Ed.), Argumentation in chemistry education: Research, policy, and practice (pp. 79-105). Royal Society of Chemistry.
Henderson, J. B. & Aguilera, E. (2019). On the screen – beneath the screen – beyond the screen: A framework for considering how educational technology can support argumentation in your classroom. NSTA Reports, 31(4), 3.
Henderson, J. B. (2019). NSTA Freebies: Braincandy.org. NSTA Reports, 31(1), G-2.
*Close, K., *Bowers, N., *Mehta, R., Mishra, P., & Henderson, J. B. (2018). Students as teachers: How science teachers can collaborate with their students using peer instruction. iWonder, 5, 24-28.
Henderson, J. B., McNeill, K. L., *González-Howard, M., *Close, K., & *Evans, M. (2018). Key challenges and future directions for educational research on scientific argumentation. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 55(1), 5-18. doi: 10.1002/tea.21412
Henderson, J.B., Langbeheim, E., & Chi, M.T.H. (2017). Addressing robust misconceptions through the ontological distinction between sequential and emergent processes. In B. Sherin, T. Amin, & O. Levrini (Eds.), Converging perspectives on conceptual change: Mapping an emerging paradigm in the learning sciences (pp. 26-33). New York, NY: Routledge.
Osborne, J., Donovan, B., Henderson, J.B., MacPherson, A., & Wild, A. (2016). Arguing from Evidence in Middle School Science: 24 Activities for Productive Talk and Deeper Learning. Corwin Publishers.
Osborne, J., Henderson, J. B., MacPherson, A., Szu, E., Wild, A., & Yao, S. Y. (2016). The development and validation of a learning progression for argumentation in science. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 53(6), 821-846. doi:10.1002/tea.21316
Brown, B., Henderson, J. B., Gray, S., Sullivan, S., Donovan, B., Patterson, A., & Wagstaff, W. (2016). From description to explanation: An empirical exploration of the african-american pipeline project. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 53(1), 146-177. doi:10.1002/tea.21249
Al Lily, A., & 98 Additional Authors Including Henderson, J. B. (2016). Academic domains as political battlegrounds: A global enquiry by 99 academics in the fields of education and technology. Information Development. doi:10.1177/0266666916646415.
Henderson, J.B., MacPherson, A., Osborne, J., & Wild, A. (2015). Beyond construction: Five cases for the role and value of critique in the learning of science. International Journal of Science Education, 37(10), 1668-1697. doi: 10.1080/09500693.2015.1043598
Pearson, P. D., Knight, A.M., Cannady, M.A., Henderson, J.B., & McNeill, K.L. (2015). Assessment at the intersection of science and literacy. Theory into Practice, 54(3), 228-237. doi:10.1080/00405841.2015.1044372
Yao, S-Y., Wilson, M., Henderson, J.B., & Osborne, J. (2015). Investigating the function of content and argumentation items in a science test: A multidimensional approach. Journal of Applied Measurement, 16(2), 171-192.
Henderson, J.B., Osborne, J., MacPherson, A., & Szu, E. (2014). A new learning progression for student argumentation in scientific contexts. In C. P. Constantinou, N. Papadouris & A. Hadjigeorgiou (Eds.), Science education research for evidence-based teaching and coherence in learning: E-Book Proceedings of the ESERA 2013 Conference, Part 7 (co-ed. M. Evagorou & K. Iordanou) (pp. 26-42). Nicosia, Cyprus: European Science Education Research Association. ISBN: 978-9963-700-77-6
Brown, B., Parsons, E., Miles, R., & Henderson, J.B. (2013) Exploring the alignment of black scientists with the american scientific community: Does race still matter? Journal of Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering, 19(2), 95-120. doi:10.1615/JWomenMinorScienEng.2013005116
Brown, B., Henderson, J.B., Gray, S., Donovan, B, & Sullivan, S. (2013). From access to success: Identity contingencies & african-american pathways to science. Higher Education Studies, 3, 1-13. doi:10.5539/hes.v3n1p1
Brown, B., Henderson, J.B., & Kloser, M. (2012). Bridging cultures: The role of culturally-relevant pedagogy, discursive identity, and conceptual continuities in the promotion of scientific literacy. In C. Lewis & J. Moore (Eds.), African american students in urban schools: Critical issues and solutions for achievement (pp. 185-203). New York, NY: Peter Lang Publishers.
As a Co-Founder and Research Director of the Braincandy project, Dr. Henderson has worked with teachers across the U.S. to make formative assessment materials and best practices freely accessible via cloud-based applications. Braincandy allows students to participate in classroom activities anonymously, and then makes discrepancies in anonymous student thinking transparent to the entire classroom through visualization tools. You can learn more about Braincandy at www.braincandy.org. The Braincandy project is an example of how Henderson seeks to create a synergy between his research and his teaching. Indeed, he utilizes Braincandy in many of the courses he teaches, and as Braincandy is very popular with students, Henderson has been named by the student body as a recipient of the ASU Centennial Professorship for outstanding teaching, leadership, and service.
Dr. Henderson was a Principal Investigator on a 3-million-dollar grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop DiALoG (Diagnosing Argumentation Levels of Groups), which is an assessment that offers teachers and researchers a means to operationalize classroom talk and listening that spans multiple unique aspects of oral argumentation.
With more and more states adopting a new generation of science standards that place evidence-based argumentation as a key practice in the learning of science, Dr. Henderson is using his experience in the development of argumentation assessments to create supports for teachers to align their classroom practices with the new science standards. To this end, Henderson is a co-author of a book titled Arguing from Evidence in Middle School Science: 24 Activities for Productive Talk and Deeper Learning.
Courses
2026 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BIO 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| PHY 121 | Univ Physics I: Mechanics |
| PHY 111 | General Physics |
2026 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| PHS 593 | Applied Project |
| PHS 593 | Applied Project |
| TEL 704 | Leadership for Org Change |
| PHS 592 | Research |
| PHS 590 | Reading and Conference |
2026 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| TEL 499 | Individualized Instruction |
2025 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BIO 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| DCI 792 | Research |
| DCI 790 | Reading and Conference |
| PHY 121 | Univ Physics I: Mechanics |
| PHY 111 | General Physics |
| TEL 792 | Research |
| TEL 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| PHY 795 | Continuing Registration |
2025 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| PHS 592 | Research |
| PHS 593 | Applied Project |
| PHS 593 | Applied Project |
| TEL 704 | Leadership for Org Change |
| PHS 590 | Reading and Conference |
2025 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| DCI 799 | Dissertation |
| DCI 792 | Research |
| DCI 790 | Reading and Conference |
| PHY 111 | General Physics |
| PHY 112 | General Physics |
| TEL 799 | Dissertation |
| TEL 799 | Dissertation |
| TEL 499 | Individualized Instruction |
2024 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BIO 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| DCI 792 | Research |
| DCI 790 | Reading and Conference |
| EDT 690 | Reading and Conference |
| EDT 584 | Internship |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 799 | Dissertation |
| TEL 710 | Innov Disseminating Res |
| TEL 710 | Innov Disseminating Res |
2024 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| PHY 113 | General Physics Laboratory |
| PHY 114 | General Physics Laboratory |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 710 | Innov Disseminating Res |
| TEL 710 | Innov Disseminating Res |
2024 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| DCI 799 | Dissertation |
| DCI 792 | Research |
| DCI 790 | Reading and Conference |
| EDP 310 | Ed Psychology for Non-Teachers |
| EDP 310 | Ed Psychology for Non-Teachers |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 792 | Research |
2023 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BIO 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| DCI 792 | Research |
| DCI 790 | Reading and Conference |
| EDT 690 | Reading and Conference |
| EDT 584 | Internship |
| EDP 310 | Ed Psychology for Non-Teachers |
| EDP 310 | Ed Psychology for Non-Teachers |
| BIO 791 | Seminar |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 792 | Research |
| TEL 710 | Innov Disseminating Res |
| TEL 710 | Innov Disseminating Res |
2023 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| PHY 113 | General Physics Laboratory |
| PHY 114 | General Physics Laboratory |
| PHY 111 | General Physics |
| PHY 112 | General Physics |
| PHY 114 | General Physics Laboratory |
2023 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| DCI 799 | Dissertation |
| DCI 792 | Research |
| DCI 790 | Reading and Conference |
| EDP 310 | Ed Psychology for Non-Teachers |
| EDP 310 | Ed Psychology for Non-Teachers |
| BIO 791 | Seminar |
2022 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BIO 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| DCI 792 | Research |
| DCI 790 | Reading and Conference |
| EDT 690 | Reading and Conference |
| EDT 584 | Internship |
| EDP 310 | Ed Psychology for Non-Teachers |
| EDP 310 | Ed Psychology for Non-Teachers |
| BIO 791 | Seminar |
| EDP 310 | Ed Psychology for Non-Teachers |
2022 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| PHY 114 | General Physics Laboratory |
| PHY 112 | General Physics |
| PHY 114 | General Physics Laboratory |
2022 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| DCI 799 | Dissertation |
| DCI 792 | Research |
| DCI 790 | Reading and Conference |
| BIO 791 | Seminar |
2021 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BIO 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| DCI 792 | Research |
| DCI 790 | Reading and Conference |
| DCI 799 | Dissertation |
| DCI 791 | Seminar |
| EDT 690 | Reading and Conference |
| EDT 584 | Internship |
| BIO 791 | Seminar |
| LSE 599 | Thesis |
| DCI 691 | Seminar |