The Applied Research Center at Morningside College wants to partner with teachers to make a positive impact on student learning in the region.

The Applied Research Center at Morningside College wants to partner with teachers to make a positive impact on student learning in the region.

Teachers can collaborate with the Applied Research Center to study a variety of topics, such as the effectiveness of reading interventions, math interventions, project-based learning or behavior management techniques. Teachers implement the curriculum. Morningside conducts the research.

Dakota Valley Elementary School in North Sioux City, S.D., is already conducting a research project with Dharma Jairam and Kim Christopherson, faculty members in the graduate education department at Morningside College. Jairam is executive director of the Applied Research Center, and Christopherson is research director.

Last spring Jairam attended a meeting at Dakota Valley Elementary School where teachers suggested possible research topics based on their current classroom needs. Based on their feedback, Jairam collaborated with two teachers to develop and implement a research study. He said the teachers are experts at working with students, while he has expertise in developing a study and collecting data to get reliable research results.

“It’s an equal partnership,” Jairam said. They will complete the research study in November. Jairam hopes to publish the research results so they can be used to improve teaching and learning at other schools.

Educators interested in collaborating with the Applied Research Center may contact Jairam by phone at 712-274-5260 or by email at jairamd@morningside.edu.