Associate Provost for Curriculum & Experiential Education, Professor of Education
Phone: 903.565.5898
Email: cswain@uttyler.edu
Building: STE 313
Department: Education
Colleen Swain
Degrees
- Ph.D. University of North Texas, 1997
Dissertation Title: A comparison of computer-administered test and a paper and pencil test using normally achieving and mathematically disabled young children. - M.S. University of North Texas, 1993
Major: Computer Education & Cognitive Systems - B.S. Baylor University, 1987
Major: Secondary Education
Biography
Dr. Swain considers it a privilege to serve The University of Texas at Tyler as Associate Provost for Curriculum and Experiential Education. Dr. Swain began her work in Academic Affairs as an Associate Provost in June 2018. Before her move into Academic Affairs, Dr. Swain served as Associate Dean of the College of Education and Psychology and the Director of the School of Education.
Before coming to UT Tyler, Dr. Swain served in faculty and administrative roles at the University of Florida for fifteen years. She is originally from Texas and began her teaching career in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District.
Recent Courses Taught at The University of Texas at Tyler
Artificial Intelligence Tools in Society
Instructional Coaching
Tools Used in Instructional Coaching
Teacher Learning and Professional Development
Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences
Student Teaching Seminar
Courses Taught at the University of Florida
Doctoral Seminar: Theoretical Perspectives of Curriculum
Doctoral Seminar: Readings in Educational Technology in Teacher Education
Doctoral Seminar: Research in Curriculum & Instruction
Effective Teaching & Classroom Management
The Secondary Curriculum
Transforming the Curriculum
Integrating Technology into the Secondary Classroom
Research for Educational Technologists
Integrating Technology into the Secondary Curricula
Designing Technology Rich Curriculum
Distance Teaching & Learning
Educational Technology & the Teacher
Utilizing Technology in Administration
Supervision of Internship/Student Teaching
Colloquium for Internship/Student Teaching
Research and Professional Interests
Dr. Swain’s K-20 educational research focuses on the acquisition of instructional expertise by pre-service and in-service teachers. She examines how this expertise influences individual educators and the schools in which they enact their practice. Recently, she has been investigating how coaching, as a form of professional development, changes the beliefs and practices of pre-service and in-service teachers and how these changes influence teaching practices and advance the learning of all students.
Dr. Swain’s research encompasses three subthemes. The first subtheme explores the notion of pre-service teachers becoming proficient teachers prepared to meet the needs of all the students they teach. The second subtheme centers on the effectiveness of professional development strategies, such as coaching, for in-service teachers as they deepen their understanding of instructional methods, content, and the context of their students’ lives. The third subtheme explores how the use of coaching and other forms of job-embedded professional development for principals transforms the teaching and learning environment in schools.
Dr. Swain also researches constructs related to the success of all UT Tyler students. This includes exploring the curricular experiences of UT Tyler students, the hidden curriculum, faculty knowledge, skills, and dispositions regarding curricular development, the seamless interweaving of career education into the curriculum, and innovation in the discipline and learning environment. These broad themes enable her to look at critical granular issues such as faculty knowledge and skills in creating meaningful and engaging learning, barriers to student success in courses and their impact on graduation, and the need for UT Tyler students to be prepared to be proficient and ethical practitioners of AI tools in situations, roles, and tasks currently not imagined.