November 2, 2009 - Keen to find out why some students learn more quickly than others, U of C Faculty of Education professor Bonnie Shapiro set out to research the complex nature of help-seeking, help-giving and the social support networks needed for kids to play a more active role in learning.

She discovered that children who learn quickly and efficiently are generally the ones who possess the skill set that enables them to be more assertive in seeking help when they need it. Shapiro’s research focused not only on understanding those skills, but on identifying practical ways that teachers can create the social and physical classroom environment that encourages all students to seek direction.

The research has earned Shapiro the Alberta Teachers’ Association’s 2009 Educational Research Award.

"It is well recognized that children who face the increasingly complex work and life environments of the 21st century need an educational program that focuses on creative approaches to problem solving, communication and collaboration," said Shapiro.

"One of the most important outcomes of this work may be the way that it provides insight and information for educators interested in building stronger social support networks in classroom and school settings. It is my hope that this research will make a significant contribution to the creation of healthy and vibrant learning environments for children and teachers."

The ATA presents the Educational Research Award, valued at $5,000, to a faculty member or sessional lecturer at an Alberta university, whose research is deemed to be of exceptional practical benefit to classroom teachers.

"What is so exciting about this research is that, instead of focusing on improving scores on standardized tests or other superficial measures of knowledge acquisition, Shapiro is concerned about finding practical ways to help students learn at the deepest possible level," said Dr. Joan Jeary, chair of the ATA selection panel that reviewed the research projects considered for this year’s award. "It is this kind of rich learning that will equip students to face the complexities and challenges of today’s knowledge-based society."

Dennis Sumara, Dean of the U of C’s Faculty of Education, said Shapiro’s work is helping to find new ways of encouraging learning in the classroom. "We’re extremely proud that her research is being honored by the ATA. Bonnie has focused on a fundamental key to education—providing an environment that supports all students when they need it most."