Nikki Shechtman
Nikki Shechtman, Ph.D., is a senior educational researcher at SRI International's Center for Technology in Learning.
She explores research-based, theory-driven approaches to understanding and improving engagement, teaching, and learning in mathematics—particularly for the most disadvantaged students. Her work has focused on productive dispositions for teaching and learning, mathematical argumentation, use of dynamic representational technology, and introducing productive playfulness into serious classrooms.
Shechtman has multiple quantitative and qualitative specializations, including rigorous assessment development methods, large-scale randomized field trials, small-scale design research, and laboratory experiments. Among several other projects, she leads the Math Engagement Project, an NSF-funded exploratory research project whose goal is to unpack the construct of “engagement” in the middle school math classroom. Her work has been published in journals in educational research, learning sciences, mathematics education, educational technology design, psychology, human-computer interaction, and play studies.
Education
- Ph.D., psychology (2002), Stanford University
- B.S., cognitive science (1997), Carnegie Mellon University
Professional Experience
- SRI International (2002–present)
- Agilent Labs User Studies Intern (2000–02)
Current Projects
- Math Engagement Project
- Bridging Professional Development
- Cornerstone Maths
- Grit Policy Brief
Past Projects
- Scaling Up SimCalc
- Project WHIRL
- Identifying Adaptive Expertise for Math Teaching
- Mindfulness-Based Youth Development
