Brian Nelson
Professor,
MLF Teachers College
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Phone: 480-727-4550
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Payne Hall West 122H TEMPE, AZ 85287-2111
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Mail code: 1811Campus: Tempe
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Long Bio
Brian C. Nelson is professor and head of the Designing Equitable Learning, Teaching, and Assessment (DELTA) lab at Arizona State University. His research focuses on the theory, design, and implementation of immersive learning and assessment environments, and on promoting equitable K12 computer science and computational thinking education.
Dr. Nelson is currently serving as PI on the NSF-funded Accessible Computational Thinking (ACT) project. ACT investigates best practices for helping teachers provide culturally relevant experiences for all elementary children to participate in and engage with computational thinking (CT) integrated into their science lessons.
Dr. Nelson was co-founder and co-director of Computer Science for Arizona (CSforAZ), a statewide computer science taskforce that focused on bringing computer science education and professional development statewide. Nelson also served as vice president of the Arizona chapter of the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA).
Previously, Dr. Nelson served as Co-PI on the NSF-funded Ask Dr. Discovery, SAVE Science, SURGE, and River City projects. He also served as Co-PI on the MacArthur funded 21st Century Assessment and Our Courts projects. Each of these studies explored the use of computer games to teach and assess STEM content and skills.
He earned his doctorate in Education from Harvard University.
Education
- Ed.D. Educational Technology, Harvard University 2005
- M.A. Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL), St. Michael's College, VT 1994
- B.A. Communications and Theater Arts, Washington State University 1990
Research Interests
Guiding Research Questions:
- How can immersive computer environments be designed to best support learning and assessment?
- How can the curricula and activities in educational games and virtual worlds be structured to produce rich data as evidence for learning?
- How can we best support K12 students and teachers in building computational literacy?
Current Research Projects:
Dr. Nelson is currently serving as PI on the NSF-funded Accessible Computational Thinking (ACT) project. ACT investigates best practices for helping teachers provide culturally relevant experiences for all elementary children to participate in and engage with computational thinking (CT) integrated into their science lessons.
Publications
- *Ha, J., *Pérez Cortés, L. E., *Su, M., Nelson, B., Bowman, C., & Bowman, J. D. (2021). The impact of a gamified mobile question-asking app on museum visitor group interactions: an ICAP framing. International Journal of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning, 16(3), 367-401.
- Ketelhut, D.J & Nelson, B. (2021).Virtual Learning Environments. Oxford Bibliographies in Education. Ed. Anne Hynds. New York: Oxford University Press.
- *Conley, Q., Atkinson, R., *Nguyen, F., & Nelson, B. (2020). MantarayAR: Leveraging augmented reality to teach probability and sampling. Computers and Education. 153. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2020.103895.
- Nelson, B., Bowman, C., Bowman, J., *Perez Cortes, L., *Adkins, A., *Escalante, E. & *Owen, B., *Ha, J., & *Su, M. (2020). Ask Dr. Discovery: The impact of a casual mobile game on visitor engagement with science museum content. Educational Technology Research and Development. 68, 345-362.
Research Activity
- Bowman,Judd David*, Bowman,Catherine, Nelson,Brian Carl. Facilitating Museum Evaluation with Real-Time Data Mining. NSF-EHR(9/1/2014 - 8/31/2017).
- Nelson,Brian Carl*, Nelson,Brian Carl*. RD: SAVE Science Science: Situated Assessment Using Virtual Environments for Science Content. UNIV OF MARYLAND(9/1/2011 - 8/31/2015).
- Nelson,Brian Carl*. SURGE: Scaffolding Understanding by Redesigning Games for Education. VANDERBILT UNIV(1/15/2010 - 8/31/2011).
- Clark,Douglas B*, Clark,Douglas B*, Nelson,Brian Carl, Nelson,Brian Carl. Scaffolding Understanding by Redesigning Games for Education (SURGE). NSF-EHR(9/1/2008 - 2/28/2010).
- Nelson,Brian Carl*, Nelson,Brian Carl*. SAVE Science: Situated Assessment Using Virtual Environments for Science Content and Inquiry. TEMPLE UNIV(9/1/2008 - 8/30/2013).
- Gee,James Paul*, Calleros,Charles Richard, Haas,Nancy S, Hinde,Elizabeth Rose, Nelson,Brian Carl, Wood,Linda Alice Sargent. Our Courts. MACARTHUR FDN(5/1/2008 - 5/30/2010).
- Gee,James Paul*, Gee,James Paul*, Gee,James Paul*, Nelson,Brian Carl, Nelson,Brian Carl. 21st Century Assessment Project. MACARTHUR FDN(10/1/2007 - 1/31/2013).
- Rikakis,Thanassis*, Akay,Metin, Bedard,Roger Lee, Benin,Mary Holland, Birchfield,David A, Brungart,Jennifer, Campana,Ellen, Campana,Ellen, Candan,Kasim Selcuk, Clark,Douglas B, He,Jiping, Homa,Donald L, Ingalls,Todd Matthew, Isaac,Gwyneira, James,Jodi H, Karam,Lina, Kelliher,Aisling G, Kelliher,Aisling G, Laubichler,Manfred Dietrich, Leanos,John Jota, Mcbeath,Michael, Nelson,Brian Carl, Panchanathan,Sethuraman, Panchanathan,Sethuraman, Presson,Clark Cortelyou, Qian,Gang, Qian,Gang, Rodriguez,Armando A, Santello,Marco, Savenye,Wilhelmina C, Somerville,Susan Clare, Spanias,Andreas Savva, Spanias,Andreas Savva, Steinmetz,Peter Nathan, Sundaram,Hari, Sundaram,Hari, Thornburg,Harvey Devoe, Thornburg,Harvey Devoe. IGERT: An Arts, Sciences, and Engineering Research and Education Initiative for Experimental Media. NSF-EHR(10/1/2005 - 9/30/2012).
- Nelson,Brian Carl*. Studying Robust-Design Strategies for Developing Innovations Effective and Scalable in Challenging Classroom Settings. HARVARD UNIV(9/1/2005 - 8/31/2008).
Courses
2025 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CSE 595 | Continuing Registration |
| CSE 599 | Thesis |
| CSE 590 | Reading and Conference |
| CSE 790 | Reading and Conference |
| DCI 799 | Dissertation |
| DCI 792 | Research |
| DCI 790 | Reading and Conference |
| CEN 599 | Thesis |
| TEL 799 | Dissertation |
2024 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CSE 493 | Honors Thesis |
| CSE 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| DCI 792 | Research |
| EDT 590 | Reading and Conference |
| DCI 790 | Reading and Conference |
| DCI 799 | Dissertation |
| 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 |
| EDU 593 | Applied Project |
2024 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| 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 710 | Innov Disseminating Res |
| TEL 710 | Innov Disseminating Res |
2024 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CSE 595 | Continuing Registration |
| CSE 599 | Thesis |
| CSE 590 | Reading and Conference |
| CSE 790 | Reading and Conference |
| DCI 799 | Dissertation |
| DCI 792 | Research |
| DCI 790 | Reading and Conference |
| CEN 599 | Thesis |
| CSE 599 | Thesis |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| CSE 493 | Honors Thesis |
| CSE 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| DCI 792 | Research |
| EDT 590 | Reading and Conference |
| DCI 790 | Reading and Conference |
| DCI 799 | Dissertation |
| 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 |
| EDU 593 | Applied Project |
2023 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CSE 493 | Honors Thesis |
| CSE 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| CSE 595 | Continuing Registration |
| CSE 599 | Thesis |
| CSE 590 | Reading and Conference |
| CSE 790 | Reading and Conference |
| DCI 799 | Dissertation |
| DCI 792 | Research |
| DCI 790 | Reading and Conference |
| CSE 595 | Continuing Registration |
| CEN 599 | Thesis |
| CSE 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| CSE 599 | Thesis |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 799 | Dissertation |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 710 | Innov Disseminating Res |
| TEL 710 | Innov Disseminating Res |
2022 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CSE 493 | Honors Thesis |
| CSE 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| DCI 792 | Research |
| EDT 590 | Reading and Conference |
| DCI 790 | Reading and Conference |
| DCI 799 | Dissertation |
| 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 |
| EDU 593 | Applied Project |
2022 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| 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 710 | Innov Disseminating Res |
| TEL 710 | Innov Disseminating Res |
2022 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CSE 493 | Honors Thesis |
| CSE 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| CSE 595 | Continuing Registration |
| CSE 599 | Thesis |
| CSE 590 | Reading and Conference |
| CSE 790 | Reading and Conference |
| DCI 799 | Dissertation |
| DCI 792 | Research |
| DCI 790 | Reading and Conference |
| CSE 595 | Continuing Registration |
| CEN 599 | Thesis |
| CSE 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| CSE 599 | Thesis |
| CSE 493 | Honors Thesis |
| 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 710 | Innov Disseminating Res |
| TEL 710 | Innov Disseminating Res |
| EDU 593 | Applied Project |
| TEL 792 | Research |
2021 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CSE 493 | Honors Thesis |
| CSE 595 | Continuing Registration |
| CSE 599 | Thesis |
| CSE 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| CSE 590 | Reading and Conference |
| DCI 792 | Research |
| EDT 590 | Reading and Conference |
| DCI 790 | Reading and Conference |
| DCI 799 | Dissertation |
| 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 |
| EDU 593 | Applied Project |
2021 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CSE 493 | Honors Thesis |
| CSE 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| CSE 595 | Continuing Registration |
| CSE 599 | Thesis |
| CSE 590 | Reading and Conference |
| CSE 790 | Reading and Conference |
| DCI 799 | Dissertation |
| DCI 792 | Research |
| DCI 790 | Reading and Conference |
| CSE 595 | Continuing Registration |
| CEN 599 | Thesis |
| CSE 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| CSE 599 | Thesis |
| CSE 790 | Reading and Conference |
| DCI 791 | Seminar |
| CSE 493 | Honors Thesis |
2020 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CSE 493 | Honors Thesis |
| CSE 595 | Continuing Registration |
| CSE 599 | Thesis |
| CSE 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| CSE 590 | Reading and Conference |
| EDT 590 | Reading and Conference |
| EDT 792 | Research |
| DCI 790 | Reading and Conference |
| DCI 799 | Dissertation |
| EDT 799 | Dissertation |
| DCI 791 | Seminar |
2020 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CSE 493 | Honors Thesis |
| CSE 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| CSE 595 | Continuing Registration |
| CSE 599 | Thesis |
| CSE 590 | Reading and Conference |
| CSE 790 | Reading and Conference |
| DCI 799 | Dissertation |
| DCI 792 | Research |
| EDT 799 | Dissertation |
| EDT 792 | Research |
| EDT 790 | Reading and Conference |
| EDT 684 | Internship |
| DCI 790 | Reading and Conference |
| CSE 595 | Continuing Registration |
| EDT 784 | Internship |
| CEN 599 | Thesis |
| CSE 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| CSE 599 | Thesis |
| CSE 790 | Reading and Conference |
| CPI 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| CSE 493 | Honors Thesis |
Presentations
- Erlandson, B., Savenye, Wilhelmina, Kelliher, A., Nelson, Brian. Improved research through mediated communication tools in a transdisciplinary community of practice. Paper presented at the Conference on Technology,Knowledge and Society (Jan 2007).
- Ketelhut, D, Nelson, Brian, Clarke, J, Dede, C. Studying Near and Far Transfer in a Multi-User Virtual Environment. AECT 2006, Dallas, TX (Oct 2006).
- Nelson, Brian. The River City Project: A Multi-user Virtual Environment for Learning Science and 21st Century Skills. Classrooms without Quizzes event, Arizona State University (Oct 2006).
- Nelson, Brian, Ketelhut, D, Clarke, J, Dede, C, Nelson, Brian, Ketelhut, D, Clarke, J, Dede, C. Designing for Real-World Inquiry in Virtual Environments. AECT 2006, Dallas, TX (Oct 2006).
- Nelson, Brian. The Efficacy of Individualized, Reflective Guidance for Student Learning in an Educational Multiuser Virtual Environment. Invited talk presented at the Distributed Learning and Collaboration Symposium on Theory, Research, and Practice. Shanghai, China (Jun 2006).
- Ketelhut, D, Nelson, Brian, Dede, C, Clarke, J. Inquiry Learning in Multi User Virtual Environments. NARST 2006, San Francisco (Apr 2006).
- Nelson, Brian. The Efficacy of Individualized, Reflective Guidance for Student Learning in an Educational Multiuser Virtual Environment. American Education Research Association, San Francisco (Apr 2006).
- Clarke, J, Dede, C, Ketelhut, D, Nelson, Brian, Bowman, C. Multi-User Virtual Environments (MUVEs) as Research Tools to Assess Student Learning. American Education Research Association, San Francisco (Apr 2006).
- Ketelhut, D, Dede, C, Clarke, J, Nelson, Brian. A Multi-User Virtual Environment for Building Higher Order Inquiry Skills in Science. American Education Research Association, San Francisco (Apr 2006).
- Nelson, Brian. Investigating the Impact of Individualized, Reflective Guidance On Student Learning in an Educational Multi-User Virtual Environment. AECT 2005, Orlando, FL (Oct 2005).
- Dede, C, Clarke, J, Ketelhut, D, Nelson, Brian, Bowman, C. Fostering Motivation, Learning, and Transfer in Multi-User Virtual Environments. American Education Research Association, Montreal (Apr 2005).
- Dede, C, Ketelhut, D, Clarke, J, Nelson, Brian, Bowman, C. Students' Motivation and Learning of Science in a Multi-User Virtual Environment. American Education Research Association, Montreal (Apr 2005).
- Ketelhut, D, Clarke, J, Dede, C, Nelson, Brian, Bowman, C. Inquiry Teaching for Depth and Coverage via Multi-User Virtual Environments. Paper presented at the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, Dallas (Apr 2005).
- Dede, C, Ketelhut, D, Nelson, Brian. Design-Based Research on Gender, Class, Race, and Ethnicity in a Multi-User Virtual Environment. AERA 2004, San Diego, CA (Apr 2004).
- Dede, C, Nelson, Brian, Ketelhut, D, Clarke, J, Bowman, C. Design-based Research Strategies for Studying Situated Learning in a Multi-User Virtual Environment. International Conference of the learning Sciences, Los Angeles (Jul 2003).
- Ketelhut, D., Nelson, Brian. Exploring Embedded Guidance and Self-efficacy in Educational Multi-user Virtual Environments. Computer Supported Collaborative Learning Conference
- Nelson, Brian, Erlandson, B. Multimedia design principles for learning in multiuser virtual environments. American Educational Research Assoication Conference
- Nelson, Brian, Ketelhut, D., Clarke, J., Dieterle, E., Dede, C., Erlandson, B. Robust design strategies for scaling educational innovations: The River City MUVE case study. American Educational Research Assoication Conference
- Clarke, J., Ketelhut, D., Nelson, Brian, Erlandson, B., Dieterle, E., Dede, C. Investigating students' behaviors,patterns, and learning in multi-user virtual environment designed around inquiry. American Eduacational Research Assoication Conference
- Erlandson, B., Nelson, Brian. Designing for learning with multimedia principles in educational multi-user virtual environments. American Educational Communication and Technology Conference
Service
- Science Education, Manuscript reviewer (2007 - Present)
- College Election Committee, Member (2006 - Present)
- Computers in Human Behavior, Editorial board member (2006 - Present)
- Division Awards Committee, (2006 - Present)
- Educational Psychology Review, Manuscript reviewer (2006 - Present)
- Educational Technology Research and Development, Manuscript reviewer (2006 - Present)
- Journal of Science Education and Technology, Manuscript reviewer (2006 - Present)
- Division Curriculum Committee, (2005 - Present)
- Educational Technology Admission Committee, Committee Member (2005 - Present)
- Journal of Educational Computing Research, Manuscript reviewer (2005 - Present)
- Journal of the Learning Sciences, Manuscript reviewer (2005 - Present)
- American Educational Communications and Technology Association, Electronic Services Committee (2007 - 2007)
- College Election Committee, Chair (2007 - 2007)
- Division Affirmative Action committee, (2007 - 2007)
- American Educational Communications and Technology Association, Curriculum Committee (2006 - 2007)
- Dobson Montessori, Parent volunteer (2006 - 2006)
- Sakai Professional Graduate School, Consultant (2006 - 2006)
- Nanyang Technological University, Consultant (2005 - 2006)
- Esperanza Elementary School, Parent volunteer (2005 - 2005)
- Harvard Yard Child Care Center, Parent volunteer (2005 - 2005)
- Virtual Reality, Manucript reviewer (2005 - 2005)