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Office Number:
Education 3137
Phone Number:
(805) 893-7118
E-mail:
education.ucsb.edu betsy
Mary Brenner
Professor, Ph.D. (University of California, Irvine)
Emphasis:
Teaching & Learning, Cultural Perspectives & Comparative Education, Research Methodology
Research Interests:
Mathematics education; Multicultural education; Educational equity; After school, out of school education; Teaching methods; International education; Comparative education; School community relations
Biography:
In my research I look at the effect of culture on learning, particularly in the area of mathematics. In much of my research I work with teachers to find methods of instruction that will enhance the academic achievement of students who have traditionally underachieved in American schools. I also do research in other nations because I believe that there is much to be learned from studying educational processes in a variety of different contexts.
I did my graduate work in Anthropology at the University of California, Irvine. My dissertation research looked at how the western type schools in Liberia incorporated and conflicted with the the local culture in both teaching methods and mathematical topics. After completing my Ph.D., I worked at the Kamehameha Early Education Program in Hawaii. I did basic research on what kinds of mathematics Native Hawaiian children learned out of school, and I worked with teachers to use this information to develop culturally compatible instruction. After Hawaii, I taught in the SESAME program at UC, Berkeley and continued my research in Liberia on the differences between modern and traditional forms of education.
Since coming to UCSB in 1991, I have been examining how algebra can be taught more effectively, particularly for English language learners. I have also been working with several different after school programs (a computer club at the Boys and Girls Club and the Academic Mentoring Program of the Santa Barbara School District) to better understand how different kinds of learning environments can enhance student learning. I have also become involved with comparisons of achievement involving Asian nations and the United States. My primary teaching responsibilities are in the areas of qualitative methodology, educational anthropology, and mathematics education.
Recent Publications:
Moseley, B. & Brenner, M. E. A comparison of curricular effects on the integration of arithmetic and algebraic schemata in pre-algebra students. Instructional Science, 37, 1-20. 2009. [Refereed Journal Article]
Barta, J. & Brenner, M.E. Seeing with many eyes: Connections between anthropology and education. In B. Greer, S. Mukhopadhyay, S. Nelson-Barber, & A. Powell (Eds.), Culturally responsive mathematics education. NY: Routledge, Taylor and Francis. 2009. [Book Chapter]
Brenner, M. E. . Meaning and Money. In T. A. Lucey & K. S. Cooter (Eds), Financial Literacy for Children and Youth. Athens, GA: Digitaltextbooks.biz. 2008. [Reprint]
Kwon, M. & Brenner, M. E. . Book review of Balancing Two Worlds: Asian American College Students Tell Their Life Stories. Anthropology and Education Quarterly, 39(4). 2008. [Book review]
Brenner, M. E. Interviewing in educational research. In J. Green, G. Camilli, & P. Elmore (Eds.), Handbook of complementary methods in education research, (pp. 357-370). Washington, DC: American Educational Research Association/Erlbaum. 2006. [Book Chapter]
Affiliations:
American Anthropological Association
American Educational Research Association
Council on Anthropology and Education
International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education
Liberian Studies Association
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
