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Robert Wilson

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Robert Wilson

Professor of Education
Dan Waggoner Hall 203

Education

  • 1985 Ph.D. Curriculum Instruction and Media, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, IL 
  • 1978 M.S.E.d. Curriculum Instruction and Media, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, IL 
  • 1974 B.S. Biological Science, Quincy University, Quincy, IL 

 

Research Interests/Scholastic Profile

My primary focus is on how technological changes affect students' learning, development, and performance in the classroom. In particular, finding a balance between proven, hands-on pedagogy and new technology innovations. 

My original goals in life were to become a farmer which seemed very reasonable since my entire family has farmed for many generations. However, my parents wanted more for me and persuaded me to go to college. There I fell in love with Biology and I had visions of becoming a wildlife biologist. This dream was cut short during my second-semester senior year. While working in a microbiology laboratory I dropped 10 liters of chromic acid. This fluid got into my eyes and I have been blind ever since. 

The State of Illinois put me thru a series of evaluations to find out what I could do without my sight. After six weeks of testing, they told me I was very good in Science which seemed very reasonable since I had a Bachelor's Degree in Biology and minor in Chemistry. In desperation, the counselor called a series of numbers at local universities trying to find somebody to talk to me.

Finally at 5:30 PM on a Friday afternoon a professor called me saying that she is very excited to talk to me. The long and short of the story is that Dr. Audry Tomera convinced me to pursue a master's degree in Education and obtain my teaching certificate. Two and a half years later I completed this degree.

I began teaching in 1977 at a high school in Decatur Illinois. I was responsible for Biology, Chemistry and Physical Science. It was a great job and a great learning experience. However, after few years I didn't feel myself growing enough and I decided to go back to school and work on my doctorate. I took classes at Southern Illinois University and I graduated in 1985. 

People often ask me why I came to Wesleyan after receiving my degree. The reason I came here is the same as any beginning teacher. Texas Wesleyan College offered me the job and 26 years later I am still here. 

While at Wesleyan I became very active in the redevelopment project for the East Side of Fort Worth. In the past two years, we have managed to get East Lancaster repainted, side streets have new sidewalks, and we managed to remove the substandard housing

 

Courses taught at Texas Wesleyan:

  • EDU 1020 - Child Abuse Awareness and Responsibilities 
  • EDU 1030 - Bullying Awareness and Responsibilities Training 
  • EDU 3320 - Science in the Elementary Classroom 
  • EDU 3431 - Instruction, Assessment, and Classroom Management 
  • NSC 4301 - Teaching Science in the Secondary School 
  • EDU 6020 - Child Abuse Awareness and Responsibilities 
  • EDU 6030 - Bullying Awareness and Responsibilities Training 
  • EDU 6301 - Introduction to Graduate Studies 
  • EDU 6350 - Topics in Science Methods and Content Review 
  • EDU 8394 - Doctoral Internship 
Publications
  1. Dardenne, M. (2015) Meaningful Character Education edited Wilson, R., Wesleyan Graduate Review, January 
  2. Ikens, C. (2015) Poverty, Education, and Philosophical Solutions, edited Wilson, R., Wesleyan Graduate Review, December – accepted
  3. Lee, L. (2015) Humanities and the Clay Experience, edited Wilson, R., Wesleyan Graduate Review, December - submitted  
  4. Harris, K. (2015) Experiencing Education Beyond the Classroom; Democracy and Human Welfare, edited Wilson, R., Wesleyan Graduate Review, December – submitted 
  5. Vowell, J., Ward, L. and Wilson, R. (2014) Teaching Second Language Learners Science and Mathematics using problem-based learning approach, Science and Children, October (submitted) 
  6. Wilson, R. and Dryden, J. (2013) Bullying Awareness and Responsibilities Training (BART). Department of Health and Human Services –Texas. February. 
  7. Wilson, R. and Schoember, C. (2012) Child Abuse and Awareness Responsibilities Training (CAART). Department of Health and Human Services –Texas. July. (Did not receive credit last year) 
  8. Wilson, R. (2012). Child Abuse Awareness and Responsibilities Training (CAART). CPM 12-0084, Department of Health and Human Services State of Texas.
  9. Wilson, R. and Dryden, J. (2012). Bullying Awareness and Responsibilities Training (BART). Submitted to the Department of Health and Human Services State of Texas.
  10. Gaffner, J. and Wilson, R. (2012). The First Day of College 2012, promotional video presentation. Office of Communications at Texas Wesleyan University 
  11. R.J. Wilson and C. Schober (2011) adapted Energy Reader’s Theatre by Dr. Rosalind M. Flynn for Fort Worth ISD second language learners, Fall 2011.
  12. R.J Wilson and C. Schober (2011) adapted The Shocking World of Electricity with Max Axiom Reader’s Theatre by Red Brick Learning for Fort Worth ISD Second Language Learners, Fall 2011. 
  13. R.J. Wilson wrote a tour of Texas Wesleyan University Historic Campus for the second language learners from Fort Worth ISD October 27-28th, 2011
Presentations
  1. Empante, J. and Wilson R. (2015), Water Management, Presentation at Keller ISD High School - April 2015
  2. Empante, J. and Wilson R. (2015), City of Fort Worth Building and Standards Commission, City Council Chamber - April 2015 
  3. Empante, J., Phifs, M., and Wilson R. (2015), Crime Abatement and City Action, Fort Worth City Council on “Crime Abatement and City Action” - April 2015
  4. Wilson, R., Ward, L., and Vowell, J. (2015) Science and Reading Camp for Second Language Learners, Oceans and roller coasters, Fort Worth ISD Beginning Second Language Faculty, Texas Wesleyan University – September 14, 2015
  5. Wilson, R., Ward, L., and Vowell, J. (2015) Science and Reading Camp for Second Language 
  6. Learners, Oceans and roller coasters, Fort Worth ISD Returning Second Language Faculty, Texas Wesleyan University – September 15, 2015 
  7. Robles-Godwin, P., Wilson, R., Torres, A., and Gaffner, J. (2015) Collaborate!, BEAM Conference, Arlington, TX, March 21.
  8. Wilson, R. (August 2014) Science and Reading Camp for Second Language Learners, Fort Worth ISD Intensive English as a Second Language Learner  
  9. Empante, J. and Wilson R. (2014), Water Management, Presentation at Keller ISD High School - April 28th 
  10. Empante, J. and Wilson R. (2014), City of Fort Worth Building and Standards Commission, City Council Chamber – November + December 
  11. Empante, J., Phifs, M., and Wilson R. (2014), Crime Abatement and City Action, Fort Worth City Council on “Crime Abatement and City Action” – December 
  12. Wilson, R., Vowell, J., Ward, L. (2013) Using Problem-Based Approaches for Teaching Science and Reading to Second Language Learners. Science Teachers Association of Texas CAST Conference November.
  13. Wilson, R. (2013) Problem-Based Learning for Teaching Science. Science Days, Trinity Valley Preparatory School April 6.
  14. Wilson, R. (2013) Science and Reading Camp for Second Language Learners. Professional Development Conference Texas State Teacher Association.
  15. Wilson, R (2012) First Day of College Program at CAST.  Second Language Learners at NABE.  
  16. Wilson, R (2011) Hosting language center training for Fort Worth Independent School District. Coordinate science camp for the second language learners of Fort Worth ISD. Presented using problem solving as a tool to teach science in language centers.
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Robert Wilson

Professor of Education
Dan Waggoner Hall 203

About Professor Wilson 

Professor Wilson has been at Texas Wesleyan University for 26 years. While at Texas Wesleyan, Dr. Wilson became very active in the redevelopment project for the East Side of Fort Worth.

In the past two years, he has managed to get East Lancaster repainted, called for new sidewalks added to streets, and had dilapidated housing removed from the area.