Research Statement
I started in the information systems research area of decision support systems and knowledge management, but I have expanded my interest to the area of cyber-enabled collaboration and learning. This statement presents my research areas and goals.
Areas
Computing permeates and transforms almost all aspects of our professional, social and personal lives, yet many students are not interested in and do not understand technology. Those of us who talk with high school students and, especially, those of us who try to recruit students to NJIT know how few of these students are interest in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. These same students use information and computing technologies many times a day and recognize that they are parts of networks, webs and communities. They use social networking sites, instant messaging, and online games; and yet, they are not interest in information technology as a career. We need to understand how to engage students in learning and prepare them to work in a cyber-enabled world.
My research interests are in the areas of Cyber-enabled Constructivist Learning (CCL) and Cyber-enabled Collaborative Worlds (CCW). Both of these interests build upon my background in decision support and knowledge management and on the strengths of the Information Systems department at NJIT. My CCL effort is an extension of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) that has a significant history in our department. I extend the concept of computer-supported to that of cyber-enabled that includes not only information and communications technology but also the concepts of persistent and immersive technology in congruence with the way that the NSF uses the term in several of its program solicitations. I use the term constructivist rather than collaborative to modify learning since I am building on a particular learning theory. Constructivist learning is (1) collaborative, (2) inquiry-based, (3) reflective and (4) authentic. Collaboration is a necessary but not sufficient condition for this type of learning; hence, I use the acronym CCL for this research area.
My CCW effort is an extension of Computer-Support Cooperative Work (CSCW). A recent ACM SIGCHI CFP stated, "In recent years the conference has moved beyond traditional work to include the broader issues of how we play, socialize, and compete − all forms of collaborative activity that are now mediated by technology. As more and more people in all regions of the globe are able to interact online we are rapidly moving toward a Computer Supported Cooperative World." In my research cooperative is a necessary condition for collaborative; therefore, I mean collaborative worlds when I use the acronym CCW for this research area. Both research areas are connected and are extensions of the research done by current and former members of the NJIT IS department and other colleagues at NJIT.
The cyber-enabled world includes the actual ("real") world and virtual worlds. Virtual worlds are becoming increasingly sophisticated, enabling individuals and organizations to become immersed in a persistent, 3-D, computer-based simulated environment. Individuals assume an identity as an "avatar" and interact with others via text-based and voice-based chat. I am currently working with several PhD students in advancing our knowledge and understanding of learning and collaboration in virtual worlds such as Second Life and Active Worlds.
Goals
The goals of the CCL and CCW areas are: (1) enable radical improvements in learning through innovative computer and information technologies, and (2) advance research in computer science, information technology and learning through the development of transformative collaboration platforms. The educational foci for my projects include an area of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM). These goals are adapted from various NSF Program Solicitations and active discussions with colleagues, students and friends both in Newark, NJ, and Durango, CO.
This page is the Research Statement of George R. Widmeyer. The URL is http://web.njit.edu/~widmeyer/research.html.
Send email to widmeyer AT acm DOT org
Last update: February 13, 2008