About Me

Hello,

My name is Dr. Jaime McQueen, my current research focuses on the implementation of virtual laboratory investigations as an instructional differentiation tool for academically gifted and talented students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses. My additional areas of research interest include: promoting educational advocacy for military youth, development of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), simulations, and computer programs for marine science research; and Selachian biology. I graduated with my Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction from Texas A&M - Corpus Christi, in May of 2017. My dissertation research focused on the comparative effects of physical and virtual laboratories, and the affordances of instructor presence and learner control on students' learning achievement and experiences in STEM courses.

During my time as a Ph.D. student, I served as a doctoral research assistant under the direction of Dr. Lauren Cifuentes (TAMUCC) and Dr. Seung Won Park. We collaborated with Texas A&M University - College Station faculty: ethicist Dr. Clare Palmer and geneticist Dr. Penny Riggs in a National Science Foundation project, developing a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) entitled “Genomics and Society.”

I received my M.S. Ed. in Instructional Design and Educational Technology from Texas A&M - Corpus Christi in December of 2011. My thesis entitled: Teaching high school chemistry students to balance chemical equations through the use of an interactive computer learning module involved the design, development, and implementation of an interactive, technology based high school chemistry lesson plan on the content domains of balancing chemical equations and conservation of mass.

Additionally, I have a background in marine science, I received my B.S. in Biology with emphasis on marine biology and chemistry in 2008. I served as a student researcher at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute - Fisheries and Mariculture Laboratory. My research focused on the reproductive endocrinology of the Atlantic Croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) and Cobia (Rachycentron canadum).

Professionally, I served as a certified composite science (grades 8-12) high school science teacher for Tuloso-Midway ISD in Corpus Christi, Texas from 2009-2016. Prior to my teaching, I was a computer technologist for both the private sector and public sector, I was a campus technologist at Flour Bluff ISD and specialized in hardware and software support at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

Aside from my professional life and research activities, I enjoy a great life in Corpus Christi with my husband. My hobbies include: spending time with my family and friends, raising and caring for our pets, computer programming, visiting the beach, learning all I can about science and technology, and listening to music.

I encourage you to explore my website, enjoy.