Heather Pearson
Ph.D. Candidate
I am a PhD candidate in the Learning Sciences program at the Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, McGill University. My dissertation research involved partnering with a high school and running a mixed-methods study using 3D printing to enhance students' self-directed learning and 21st century skills (e.g., critical thinking, collaboration). To both guide and assess students’ learning, I created a theory-driven digital notebook. To ensure an efficient transfer of knowledge, I also ran professional development sessions with my team of research assistants. My additional research projects include examining parents’ and educators’ selection and use of educational apps and enhancing digital literacy skills in elementary students. After receiving my PhD, I aim to pursue a career in research that values theory-informed educational product design and conducting school-based research/professional development to facilitate the use of educational technology in schools.
M.Ed. Educational Psychology, Learning Sciences
McGill University
B.A. Psychology
McGill University
M.Ed. Educational Psychology, Learning Sciences
McGill University
B.A. Psychology
McGill University
Awards & Grants
- Jackie Kirk Fellowship – 2024-2025
- Awarded $7,850 from McGill's Faculty of Education as recognition for my research supporting girls’ education.
- Innovate-Ed Project Grant – 2023-2024
- Received $22,500 to fund my dissertation research with 3D printing and professional development sessions.
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Education Graduate Student Society (EGSS) Academic Excellence Award – 2023
- Selected as one of the top four doctoral students in the Faculty of Education at McGill University / $750
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Canada Graduate Scholarship – Doctoral – SSHRC- 2023-2026
- Recipient of the merit-based doctoral scholarship issued by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) – Canadian government
- Ranked 3rd nationally in category / $113,000
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Graduate Mobility Award – 2023
- Award to attend making and digital fabrication workshops at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) / $750
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FRQSC Boursaries en doctorat - 2022-2026
- Recipient of the merit-based doctoral scholarship issued by Fond de recherche du Québec – Société et culture (FRQSC) - Quebec Government / $84,000
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GREAT Award - 2022,2024
- Awards to present my first-authored research at AERA 2022/2024 from McGill/ $1,395
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Graduate Excellence Award - 2021-2023
- Recipient of the entering doctoral scholarship issued by McGill University / $35,000
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EGSS Travel Award - 2020
- Award to present at Queen's University conference from McGill / $150
Publications
E. Liptrot, H.A. Pearson, A. Montazami, A.K. Dubé
Computers & Education, vol. 218, 2024, p. 105080
Fostering adolescents self-directed learning through making: The development of an integrated model.
H. A. Pearson, A. K. Dubé
American Educational Research Association (AERA), 2024
H. A. Pearson, A. K. Dubé
Supporting Active Learning & Technological Innovation in Studies of Education (SALTISE), 2024
Why this app? Comparing parents' and educators' selection of high-quality educational apps
E. Liptrot, H. A. Pearson, A. Montazami, A. K. Dubé
American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting, 2024
Why this app? How ratings and rankings impact educators’ selection of high-quality educational apps
E. Liptrot, H. A. Pearson, A. Montazami, A. K. Dubé
American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting, 2024
H. A. Pearson, A. K. Dubé
Supporting Active Learning & Technological Innovation in Studies of Education (SALTISE), 2023
A Design-Based Intervention to Develop Elementary Students’ Digital Literacy Skills
K.R. Muis, H.A. Pearson, A.K. Dubé, A. Montazami, B. Munzar
American Educational Research Association (AERA), 2023
H.A. Pearson, A.K. Dubé
Education and Information Technologies, 2022, pp. 1-28
Fostering digital literacy in elementary students: A design-based intervention.
K. Muis, H. A. Pearson, A. Montazami, A. K. Dubé, B. Munzar
American Psychological Association (APA), 2022
Why this app: Can a video‐based intervention help parents identify quality educational apps?
H.A. Pearson, A. Montazami, A.K. Dubé
British Journal of Educational Technology, vol. 54(3), 2022, pp. 712-733
Why this app? How educators choose a good educational app
A. Montazami, H.A. Pearson, A.K. Dubé, G. Kacmaz, R. Wen, S.S. Alam
Computers \&Education, vol. 184, 2022, p. 104513
Why this app? How parents choose good educational apps from app stores
A. Montazami, H.A. Pearson, A.K. Dubé, G. Kacmaz, R. Wen, S.S. Alam
British Journal of Educational Technology, vol. 53(6), 2022, pp. 1766-1792
Why this app: Can a video-based intervention help parents identify quality education apps?
H. A. Pearson, A. K. Dubé
American Educational Research Association (AERA), 2022
The Influence of Game Design on Attentional Allocation and Cognitive Resources Depletion
Y. Guo, R. Wen, A.K. Dubé, H. Pearson
American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting, 2021
Why this app? How educators choose good educational apps
H. Pearson, A. Montazami, A.K. Dubé, G. Kacmaz, R. Wen, S. Alam
American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting, 2021
Why this app? How educators choose good educational apps
H. A. Pearson, A. Montazami, A. K. Dubé
19th Annual Education Graduate Student Society Conference, McGill University, 2021
H. A. Pearson, A. K. Dubé
Supporting Active Learning & Technological Innovation in Studies of Education (SALTISE), 2020
H. A. Pearson, A. K. Dubé
Rose Bruno-Jofré Symposium in Education, Queen's University, 2020
Constructing knowledge through 3D printing: A theoretical perspective.
H. A. Pearson, A. K. Dubé
18th Annual Education Graduate Student Society Conference, McGill University, 2019
Mathematical strategies for adolescents with learning disorders: A literature review.
H. A. Pearson
15th Annual Graduate Symposium in the Department of Education, Concordia University, 2019
