Michael Mensink

Dr. Michael C. Mensink

Professor

Office 473H Harvey Hall

Brief Biography: Since 2009, I have worked as a researcher, instructor, and instructional designer at a variety of institutions, including: University of Wisconsin - Stout, Northern Illinois University, University of Minnesota, Macalester College, and St. Olaf College. I received my Ph.D. and M.A. in Educational Psychology from the University of Minnesota, where I was an Institute of Education Sciences graduate fellow in the Minnesota Interdisciplinary Training in Education Research program. While at the University of Minnesota I focused my studies on the psychological foundations of cognition and learning as well as educational and learning technologies. My research interests include the general cognitive mechanisms involved in learning and memory, the influences of attention and interest on learning from texts, scientific learning and literacy, and the social and cognitive factors involved in creating effective learning technologies. My research in these areas has appeared in basic cognitive and applied educational journals and books, and I have also been twice recognized for research excellence by the international Society for Text & Discourse.

Teaching Interests: Child Development Cognitive Psychology Educational Psychology Experimental Psychology General Psychology Learning & Memory Psycholinguistics Research Methods Statistics

Research Interests: Discourse Processes Emotion & Interest Evidence-based Teaching Learning Learning Technologies Memory Text Comprehension

Professional Interests: Evidence-based Teaching Practices Research Experiences for Undergraduates Scientific Literacy Scholarship of Teaching & Learning