About Dr. Kelly

I have been a practicing educator for 22 years and am passionate about improving K-12 education. I began my doctoral program in Learning Sciences and Technology to study how students learn and to research pedagogy in an effort to identify best practices.  

I have published 6 randomized controlled experiments testing different features 

1. How can teachers use formative assessment to inform their classroom practices?  I explored how using real time data, allows teachers to address misconceptions immediately. 

2. What is the impact of immediate feedback versus the standard practice of delayed feedback on learning outcomes? What are the implications for homework practices?  

3.  Can motivational videos help engage students and lead to better learning? "Growth Mindset" vs "control value" theory 

4. How much practice is enough? We can ask students to get three right in a row, or 4 right in a row or 5 right in a row.  How does raising this "mastery criterion" impact students' transfer of learning to new knowledge.

5. How can you better predict MCAS scores if we use students action in an online tool?  The answer is online data can really help predict MCAS scores.

My research focuses on how educational technology can enhance student learning outcomes. I have enjoyed impacting student learning in my own classroom, school, and across my districts as an Instructional Coach. I am now looking forward to turning my focus to higher education where I hope that my experience and research will help enhance teacher preparation programs while supporting future teachers. 

When I am not busy with my work, I am home with my three wonderful children. We enjoy skiing in the winter and vacations to Disney World in the summer.