Sharon Carver
Professor of Psychology (teaching), Emeritus Director (Children’s School), Associate Dean for Educational Affairs (Dietrich College)
Areas of Expertise
Developmental, Learning Science
Bio
As a learning scientist, I aim to bridge the domains of developmental and educational psychology. My primary interests involve combining cognitive task analysis, instructional design based on cognitive principles, and focused assessment to explore how teaching and learning can be enhanced to promote deep learning and broad transfer. Currently, I am collaborating with Dietrich College faculty and administrators to redesign, launch, and iteratively improve the undergraduate General Education Program. I also serve on the university's Institutional Review Board (IRB).
As emeritus director of the Carnegie Mellon Children's School, my primary research focus was supporting the work of researchers who either utilized the Children's School as a research site or collaborated with educators in local charter and private schools.
Education
- A.B. in Psychology with a K-12 Biology Teacher Certification Program from Princeton University
- Ph.D. in Psychology, 麻豆村
Publications
Carver, S.M., Bird, J.T., & Hancock, L.E. (2025). Learning sciences inquiry and innovation in an early childhood laboratory school. In M.R.L. Odell, T. Kennedy, B.B. Meyer & J. Sarada (Eds.), The How and why of laboratory schools: Innovations and success stories of in teacher preparation and student learning. Myers Education Press.
Carver, S. M., McConnaha, W., Messina, R., Morley, E., & Wang, Y. (2017). Laboratory schools: Bridging theory, research and practice to improve education. In J.C. Horvath, J. Lodge, & J.A.C. Hattie (Eds.), From the Laboratory to the classroom: Translating the learning sciences for teachers. Abingdon, UK: Routledge.
Frye, D., Baroody, A., Burchinal, M., Carver, S. M., Jordan, N. C., & McDowell, J. (2013). Teaching math to young children: A practice guide (NCEE#). Washington, DC: National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE), Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education.
Carver, S. M., & Shrager, J. (2012). The Psychology of Science, Science Education, and the Impact of David Klahr. In S. Carver & J. Shrager (Eds.), The journey from child to scientist: Integrating cognitive development and the education sciences. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association.
Vlach, H.A. and Carver, S.M. (2008). The Effects of Observation Coaching on Children’s Graphic Representations. Early Childhood Research and Practice.
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Carver, S.M. (2008). Experimental approaches for overcoming practical challenges of classroom research. In Applying Cognitive Development and Cognitive Research to K-3 Classroom Learning. Thurman, S.K and Fiorello, C.A. (Eds.).
Carver, S.M. (2006). Assessing for Deep Understanding. In Cambridge Handbook of the Learning Sciences. R. K. Sawyer (Ed). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.
Carver, S.M. (2001). Cognition and instruction: Enriching the laboratory school experience of children, teachers, parents, and undergraduates. In Cognition and instruction: Twenty-five years of progress. Carver, S.M. and Klahr, D. (Eds.). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.