Tom Gaffney
Educational Researcher/Project Administrator
Thomas Gaffney provides educational research, E-learning instructional design, and project management services to the Center for Technology in Learning.
Prior to coming to SRI, Thomas provided independent educational technology consulting to commercial and academic clients. He taught high school and community college physics and technology courses. He worked as a senior systems design engineer for a Naval research and development facility.
His contributions to the work of CTL include: participating in research projects involving the development and testing of research-based assessment development methods and tools; analyzing instructional content and developing and evaluating online courses; and monitoring the status and budgets of research projects. He also identifies, recommends, tests, and implements new learning technologies. His professional interests include applying cognitive psychology findings and principles to the design and implementation of online and classroom instruction.
Education
- M.A., Education, Educational Technology, San Diego State University, 1992
- B.S., Electrical Engineering, Digital Design, San Diego State University, 1976
- A.A., Mathematics, San Diego Community College, 1972
Professional Experience
- Educational Researcher/Project Administrator, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA (2000-present)
- Educational Technology Consultant, ETAC, San Diego, CA (1994-2000)
- Instructor, Technical Physics, Hawkeye Community College, Waterloo, IA (1998-2000)
- Instructor, Electronics, Regional Occupation Program, El Cajon, CA (1994-1996)
- Sr. Systems Engineer, Computer Science Corporation, San Diego, CA (1981-2000)
Research Areas at CTL
Assessment
Learning Environments
Technology Development
Current Projects at CTL
- Application of Evidence-Centered Design to State Large-Scale Science Assessment (Staff)
- Principled Science Assessment Design for Students with Disabilities (Staff)
- Scenario-Based Learning (Staff)
Past Projects at CTL
- Calipers: Using Simulations to Assess Complex Science Learning ended 2007
- Online Evaluation Resource Library (OERL) ended 2008
- Performance Assessment Links in Science (PALS) ended 2002
- Principled Assessment Designs for Inquiry (PADI) ended 2008
- Validities of Standards-Based Science Inquiry Assessments: Design and Implementation Studies ended 2004
Publications
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Hoadley, C., Foley, B., Agarwal, R., Chorost, M., Gaffney, and T., Lewis, S. et al. (2003). Collaborative learning in immersive audio engineering: Evaluation report for Year II. University Park , Pennsylvania: Penn State University.
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Hoadley, C., Gaffney, T., Lewis, S., and Foley, B. (2001). Collaborative learning in immersive audio engineering: Evaluation report for year I. Menlo Park , California: SRI International.
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Mislevy, R., et al. (2002). Design patterns for assessing science inquiry (PADI technical report 1). Menlo Park, CA: SRI International.
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