معرفی
Dr. Jacob Pleasants is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum at the University of Oklahoma's Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education. Previously a high school physics and physical science teacher, he earned his Ph.D. in science education from Iowa State University and led the secondary science teacher education program at Keene State College before joining OU in 2021. His research focuses on integrating sociotechnical issues into STEM education, emphasizing critical examinations of technology's societal impact. Key projects include contributions to the Civics of Technology community and the Stories of Engineering Work initiative.
Dr. Pleasants teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in science education and STEM pedagogy. His work explores how educators can foster technoskepticism—critical thinking about technology's role in society—and develop curricula that bridge engineering, science, and civic engagement. Recent projects include analyzing pre-service teachers' understanding of engineering's social contexts and evaluating informal STEM education strategies.
His research portfolio spans over a decade, with notable contributions to defining the nature of engineering in K-12 curricula, improving teacher training programs, and addressing challenges in unproctored online assessments. He actively engages with issues like algorithmic transparency in education technology and the ethical implications of emerging technologies in classrooms.
