Wendy Newstetter, Ph.D.
Director of Learning Sciences Research

Wallace H. Coulter Dept. of Biomedical Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA 30332-0535

Phone:404-385-2531
Fax:404-894-4243
Location:GT: BME - 2125
E-Mail: wendy.newstetter@bme.gatech.edu
URL:

Areas of Research

Dr. Newstetter's research focuses on understanding cognition and learning in interdisciplines with an eye towards designing educational environments that support the development of integrative thinking and problem solving. Towards that end, she uses ethnographic methods to study in vivo learning and problem solving in research laboratories---tissue engineering, neuroengineering and biorobotics--- where the nature of the problems demands multidisciplinary teams with complimentary skills and knowledge. She uses this research to then inform the design of problem-based learning (PBL) classrooms designed to support the development of integrative knowledge building and reasoning strategies. Most recently, she has been working to develop PBL models for instructional laboratories where students use techniques learned to tackle student-generated problems on the bench top. She also works with faculty both at Georgia Tech and throughout the nation through Project Kaleidoscope to develop more effective science, math and engineering educational environments informed by learning and cognitive science research.

Educational Background

• Ph.D. Lancaster University, 1995
• M.A. Lancaster University, 1981
• B.A. Colby College, 1971

Selected Research Publications

• Newstetter, W. "Creating cognitive apprenticeships in biomedical engineering," Journal of Engineering Education. 94:2, 2005.
• Newstetter, W., Kurz-milcke,E., & Nersessian, N. "Cognitive partnerships on the bench tops," Proceedings of ICLS Conference 04, AACE, 2004.
• Newstetter, W. & Benkeser, P. "Learning Assessment in Problem-based Learning for BME Students," 2002 ASEE Conference Proceedings [CD-ROM] Toronto, Canada, 2002.
• Newstetter, W. Neresessian, N.J., Kurz-Milcke, E.,Malone, K.R. "Laboratory learning, classroom learning: Looking for convergence/divergence in biomedical engineering," Proceedings of ICLS Conference 02, AACE, 2002.
• Newstetter, W., Kurz-milcke,E., & Nersessian, N. "Agentive learning in engineering research labs," Proceedings of 2004 FIE Conference [CD-ROM] Savannah, Ga. IEEE, 2002.
• Newstetter,W. "Of green monkeys and failed affordances: A case study of a mechanical engineering design course," Research in Engineering Design, 10, 118-128, 1988.