Lauren Cummins

Dr. Lauren Cummins is a Professor at Youngstown State University (YSU), affiliated with the College of Education and the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. She specializes in digital teaching and learning, curriculum development, and systemic change in education. Her career highlights include pioneering online education initiatives at YSU, such as developing the first fully online graduate program in Early Childhood Education. She is a Quality Matters Reviewer and Master Reviewer, emphasizing course quality in distance education.

Education: She holds an Ed.D. in Curriculum Development and Systemic Change from Nova Southeastern University (2000).

Research Interests: Dr. Cummins focuses on integrating technology into education authentically, transforming classrooms into learning communities, and fostering student entrepreneurship in learning. Her work bridges early childhood education foundations and modern digital pedagogical strategies, aiming to address 21st-century educational challenges. She advocates for systemic change to align with evolving technological landscapes and lifelong learning paradigms.

Articles Trends: Her recent publications emphasize the impact of digital teaching and learning on educators and the need for a paradigm shift in teacher preparation to embrace technology effectively. These works highlight curriculum design, action research in urban/rural education, and the role of digital tools in fostering authentic teaching practices.

• Awards:
• Research Professorship (2015-16)
• Distinguished Faculty Award – Teaching (2013)
• Faculty Innovator of the Year (2011)
• Quality Matters approvals and recognition

Advising & Grants: Lauren advises students in the online M.S.Ed. Teacher Education – Curriculum and Instruction – Digital Teaching & Learning program. She has secured grants for SimSchool Innovations (2012) and professional development initiatives, supporting the integration of simulation-based learning in education. Her advice to prospective students includes prioritizing content mastery over technology struggles, maintaining clear boundaries between coursework and assignment time, and proactive communication with faculty.

Labs/Teams: While no formal lab is explicitly mentioned, her courses (e.g., TCED 6908: Digital Learning Environments) and contributions to Quality Matters reflect involvement in collaborative teams advancing digital education infrastructure and standards.