Dr. Watson is currently Professor and Chair of Graduate Studies in the School of
Education at Liberty. He holds a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction and Science Education
(with a Biology Specialization) from the University of South Florida in Tampa. He also
completed degrees in Biology and in Science Education. He is licensed to teach biology,
chemistry, general science, and middle grades science. 

Dr. Watson had a long history of educational experiences prior to coming to Liberty in
2004, including time as a high school science teacher, a middle-school science teacher
and department chair, and as a school district administrator in a teacher education
center. He also spent 16 years in various departments at East Carolina University,
including service as a department chair, graduate director, accreditation coordinator,
and acting director of teacher education. 

Dr. Watson’s current research interests include teacher retention, teacher attitude, and
cooperative learning, particularly as those issues impact science teachers at various
levels. He has conducted several research studies, published many refereed articles, and
made numerous presentations at professional meetings.

Articles

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Novice Science Teachers: Expectations and Experiences, Journal of Science Teacher Education (2006)
 

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The Scientific Method: Is It Still Useful?, Science Scope (2004)
 

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Hands In Science, Science Scope (1997)
 

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A Study of the Preparation of Preservice Middle School Science Teachers: Exploring Attitudes and Anxieties, Issues in Middle Level Education (1995)
 

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Factors that Influence the Decision of Preservice Elementary Teachers to Concentrate in Science, Journal of Science Teacher Education (1993)
 

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Presentations

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Improving Instruction for Teacher Candidates in Classroom Management and Discipline Issues (with Michelle Goodwin, Beth E. Ackerman, and Karen L. Parker), American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (2007)

The effective teaching of classroom management and discipline skills remains a major challenge for teacher...

 

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Using Statistical Tools to Teach High School Science & Mathematics (with Steve W. Deckard and John Pantana), Virginia Association of Science Teachers (2005)

This PowerPoint presentation regarding the teaching of statistics in high school along with information on...