Debbie DeRoma

I always thought I would be a scientist. As a child, one of my favorite activities was reading through field guides and attempting to identify all of the rocks, minerals, birds, and reptiles in my neighborhood. I sometimes persuaded my friends to join in my scientific pursuits by convincing them we could dig for “fossils” in the back yard or by assuring them we could make money selling the perfume we made by mixing various leaves and flowers.

My interest in science continued into adulthood, and I completed my Bachelor’s of Science in Biology at Arizona State University. As a graduate student in Biology at SDSU I became involved with the PISCES (Partnerships Involving the Scientific Community in Elementary Schools) program and I developed a passion for science education and teaching. After transferring to the College of Education, I completed my Master’s of Arts degree in secondary curriculum and instruction in 2006.

I became interested in educational technology while observing students’ enthusiasm for technology-related projects in the classroom. I noticed that some students who had difficulty learning in traditional settings seemed to light up when engaged in podcasting projects or game simulations. I became intrigued with alternative ways of presenting information and I am very interested in discovering how technology can be used to improve learning.