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Star Named Aronson Assistant Professor

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04/05/2010 2:16 PM
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Dean Kathleen McCartney announced today that Professor Jon Star has been named Nancy Pforzheimer Aronson Assistant Professor in Human Development and Education.

“Jon is an outstanding young scholar whose research on how students develop flexibility in mathematical problem solving is already making a huge impact on the field of education,” said McCartney. “Through a series of experimental studies in middle school classrooms, Jon has found that comparing and contrasting solution methods — as opposed to studying one method at a time — promotes greater learning. Jon is a star in the making and is very deserving of this chair.”

Star is an educational psychologist who studies children’s learning of mathematics in middle and high school, particularly algebra. His current research explores the development of flexibility in mathematical problem solving, with flexibility defined as knowledge of multiple strategies for solving mathematics problems and the ability to adaptively choose among known strategies on a particular problem.

Currently, Star’s research — supported by the Institute for Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education, and the National Science Foundation — examines the development of flexibility in mathematical problem solving, with flexibility defined as knowledge of multiple strategies for solving mathematics problems and the ability to adaptively choose among known strategies on a particular problem.

“This announcement took me completely by surprise,” Star said. “I’m delighted and honored to be awarded this distinguished chair.”

The professorship was endowed by Harvard University graduate Nancy P. Aronson in 1998 to promote the broad study of human development and its connection to education.

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  • Michael U. Schwartz

    It’s about time an Assistant Professor was honored,and that chairs are not only reserved for those past their most productive primes. Also for so important an area to upgrade how and what we do to train the young in this crucial discipline.
    “Multiple Strategies” also means more roads to heaven and greater chance for more students to understand (enjoy) and apply mathematics. Kudos to Harvard for doing this.

  • Scott Hannon

    Multiple intelligences and multiple strategies. Michael, I appreciate your “more roads to heaven” comment. William James and many others referred to some form of “varieties of religious experiences” and so why not “varieties of strategies of problem solving?” Additionally, did not many great mathematicians see abstraction (Math) running along side philosophy, spirituality and religion?

  • Justin Grosslight

    I am delighted to read this announcement. Jon is a real asset to HGSE, and he is supportive and enthusiastic about many approaches to mathematics education. His alacrity to pursue scholarly ventures both within and across faculties of Harvard reflects innovation that is crucial for opening up new lines of research. It is such an honor to have the opportunity to work with him.

  • Diana Cheng

    Congratulations, Jon! Thank you for all of your help in the past two years on my dissertation on students’ understanding of steepness.

  • DANIEL KIPRONO CHERUIYOT

    Bravo,Jon,I have read about your outstanding performance in mathematics Education at Harvard University.I admire your determination and courage, please continue with the same spirit as you move towards greater academic echelons.God bless you.

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