Hello

I AM

I'm L.C.

Image of someone

  • Full Name

    Lautaro Cabrera

  • Institution

    University of Maryland, College Park

  • Email

    cabrera1@terpmail.umd.edu

I’m an educational researcher who focuses on integrating big ideas of computing into K-12 education. My work focuses on understanding how teachers and students conceptualize computer science ideas, engage with them through lessons, and use them to advance disciplinary understanding.

I’m an educational researcher who focuses on integrating big ideas of computing into K-12 education. My work focuses on understanding how teachers and students conceptualize computer science ideas, engage with them through lessons, and use them to advance disciplinary understanding.

My Skills

Qualitative Research

Conducting observations and interviews; analyzing video data and artifacts; qualitative coding with NVivo.

Quantitative Research

Descriptive statistics; perform: T-tests and ANOVA; linear multiple and logistic regression; propensity matching.

Instrument Development

Developing surveys and measuring their validity and reliability; creating and employing observation and interview protocols.

Facilitation

Teaching in diverse contexts such as informal after-school programs, undergraduate teacher education courses, graduate level courses, and professional development programs.

Programming

R for statistics; basic Javascript; Visual Basic for Access; Scratch for educational applications.

Data Visualization & Design

R (ggplot), Tableau, Miro, Gephi, PowerPoint. Adobe Suite: Illustrator, Photoshop, Dreamweaver. See some examples here.

Resume

Education

  • 2016 - 2021

    Ph.D. Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership

    Specialization in Technology, Learning, and Leadership

    University of Maryland, College Park

  • 2012 - 2015

    B.A. in Psychology

    Studio Art Minor

    Ohio Wesleyan University

Teaching Experience

  • April 2021

    Integrating Computational Thinking (CT) into Elementary Science Online and Face-to-Face

    Facilitator

    NARST Annual Conference

    In this workshop, we shared the design of our professional development series for the integration of computational thinking into elementary science teaching.

  • Spring 2019, 2020

    Foundations of Education Research II

    Teaching Assistant

    University of Maryland, College Park

    This course focuses on how to plan, develop, and execute a literature review in a specific area determined by the student in consultation with his/her academic advisor. Led sessions on:

    • Finding academic sources and databases using Boolean logic
    • Communicating findings in a conference presentation format

  • Fall 2018, 2019

    Foundations of Education Research I

    Co-Instructor & Teaching Assistant

    University of Maryland, College Park

    This course is an introduction to the field of education research. It addresses a range of conceptual, methodological, ethical and political challenges that education researchers confront, and requires students to read broadly and think critically about their own work and that of others.

    • Designed and led lessons based on required readings for the course
    • Assisted in the creation of grading rubrics for diverse assignments
    • Managed student submissions and student-instructor correspondence
    • Facilitated opportunities for course feedback beyond mandatory evaluations

  • Fall 2017, 2018

    Curriculum and Instruction in Elementary Education: Science

    Guest Lecturer

    University of Maryland, College Park

    • Led portions of a 3-class module to integrate computational thinking in elementary science education
    • Facilitated robotics activities with preservice teachers
    • Facilitated discussions of computational thinking frameworks and reflections on its integration into elementary science

Consulting

  • October 2021

    Digital Promise

    Computational Thinking of an Inclusive World: A Resource for Educators to Learn and Lead

    • Contributed to report by editing and sharing insights about the role of Computer Science and Computational Thinking in disciplinary learning

Work Experience

  • 2021 - Present

    Post-doctoral Researcher

    Accessible Computational Thinking in Elementary Science Classes within and across Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Contexts

    University of Maryland, College Park

    • Assisted in writing of NSF proposal, IRB applications for multiple universities and school counties
    • Co-constructed the study’s logic model, project evaluation plan, and professional development series design
    • Oversaw doctoral students in their contributions to the project and development as scholars

  • 2017 - 2021

    Graduate Research Assistant

    Computational Thinking in Preservice Education

    University of Maryland, College Park

    • Designed and implemented professional development sessions with elementary school in-service teachers
    • Co-instructed a 3-lesson module in the Science methods course within the undergraduate pre-service teacher education program
    • Designed and implemented qualitative and quantitative data collection protocols
    • Analyzed qualitative and quantitative data to co-author multiple conference and journal publications

  • 2016 - 2018

    Graduate Research Assistant

    Science Everywhere Research Project

    University of Maryland, College Park

    • Designed and facilitated after-school learning sessions with K-12 students
    • Developed interview and observation protocols for data collection
    • Collected and analyzed quantitative and qualitative data in preparation of manuscripts and conference proposals

  • 2016 - 2016

    Research Assistant

    The Research Institute, Biobehavioral Health

    Nationwide Children's Hospital

    • Administered informed consent to participants
    • Conducted study visits involving interviewing and data collection
    • Prescreened potential participants based on existing health records
    • Managed study databases and designed systems for automating data entry
    • Designed newsletters, study materials, and an informational video about the study

  • 2013 - 2016

    Student Teacher Aide

    Early Childhood Center

    Ohio Wesleyan University

    • Assisted with pre-K classroom organization, lessons, and supported the main teacher in her daily activities
    • Provided specific assistance to ELL student

Publications

Under Review

  • Cabrera, L.. Ketelhut, D. J., Mills, K., Coenraad, M., Killen, H., & Plane, J. (Under Review). Designing a Framework for Teachers’ Integration of Computational Thinking into Elementary Science.
  • Coenraad, M., Cabrera, L., Byrne, V., Killen, H., Ketelhut, D. J., Mills, K. M., & Plane, J. (Under Review). STIGCT: The Design of a Science Teaching Computational Thinking Inquiry Group to Promote CT Integration in Elementary Science.

Invited Manuscripts

  • Ketelhut, D. J., & Cabrera, L. (2020). Computational Thinking in Early Childhood and Elementary Science and Engineering Education. Report for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Education committee on Enhancing Science and Engineering in Prekindergarten through Fifth Grade.

Peer-Reviewed Journals

  • Cabrera, L., Byrne, V. L., Coenraad, M., Ketelhut, D. J., & Plane, J. (In Press). Measuring Teacher Self-Efficacy for Integrating Computational Thinking in Science (T-SelECTS). Educational Innovations and Emerging Technologies (EIET).
  • McGinnis, J. R., Hestness, E., Mills, K., Ketelhut, D. J., Cabrera, L., & Jeong H. (2020). Preservice science teachers’ beliefs about computational thinking following a curricular module within an elementary science methods course. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education, 20(1). Retrieved from CITE Journal.
  • Cabrera, L. (2019). Teacher Preconceptions of Computational Thinking: A Systematic Literature Review. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education 27(3), 305-333. Waynesville, NC USA: Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education. https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/210234/
  • Ketelhut, D. J., Mills, K., Hestness, E., Cabrera, L., Plane, J., & McGinnis, J. R. (2019). Teacher Change Following a Professional Development Experience in Integrating Computational Thinking into Elementary Science. Journal of Science Education and Technology, (Computational Thinking from a Disciplinary Perspective), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-019-09798-4
  • Mills, K., Bonsignore, E., Clegg, T., Ahn, J., Yip, J., Pauw, D., Cabrera, L., Hernly, K., Pitt, C. (2019). Connecting Children’s Scientific Funds of Knowledge Shared on Social Media to Science Concepts. International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJCCI.2019.04.003
  • Golbeck, J., Auxier, B., Bickford, A., Cabrera, L., Conte McHugh, M., Moore, S., … Zimmerman, J. (2018). Congressional twitter use revisited on the platform’s 10-year anniversary. Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 69(8), 1067–1070. https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.24022

Conference Proceedings

  • Cabrera, L., Coenraad, M., Byrne, V., Killen, H., & Ketelhut, D. J. (2021). Integrating Computational Thinking into Elementary Science Online. To be presented at the 2021 International Society of the Learning Sciences Annual Meeting.
  • Cabrera, L., Maloney, J. H., & Weintrop, D. (2019). Programs in the Palm of your Hand: How Live Programming Shapes Children’s Interactions with Physical Computing Devices. In ACM Interaction Design and Children (IDC). Boise, ID: Association for Computing Machinery. https://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=3311927.3323138
  • Ketelhut, D. J., Hestness, E., Cabrera, L., Jeong, H., Plane, J., & McGinnis, J. R. (2019). Examining the Role of Mentor Teacher Support in a Professional Learning Experience for Preservice Teachers on Integrating Computational Thinking into Elementary Science Education. In K. Graziano (Ed.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference (SITE) 2019 (pp. 2281–2285). Las Vegas, NV, United States: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved from https://www.learntechlib.org/p/207966
  • Cabrera, L., Ahn, J., Yip, J. C., Clegg, T., Hernly, K., Bonsignore, E., … Pauw, D. (2018). Exploring Practices on the Move: Facilitating Learning Across a Neighborhood. In Proceedings 13th International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS), 705–712. https://repository.isls.org//handle/1/487
    [Nominated Best Student Paper]
  • Hestness, E., Jass Ketelhut, D., McGinnis, J.R., Plane, J., Razler, B., Mills, K., Cabrera, L. & Gonzalez, E. (2018). Computational Thinking Professional Development for Elementary Science Educators: Examining the Design Process. In E. Langran & J. Borup (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2018 (pp. 1904-1912). Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/182789/
  • Ahn, J., Clegg, T., Yip, J., Bonsignore, E., Pauw, D., Cabrera, L., … Marr, R. (2018). Science Everywhere: Designing Public, Tangible Displays to Connect Youth Learning Across Settings. In Proceedings of SIGCHI Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2018). New York, NY: ACM., 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1145/3173574.3173852

Invited Conference Presentations

  • Killen, H., Coenraad, M., Cabrera, L., Byrne, V., & Ketelhut, D.J. (2021). Integrating Computational Thinking into Elementary Inquiry-Based Science Instruction: Affordances of a Community of Practice Model. Presented at the NARST 94th Annual International Conference.
  • Cabrera, L., Byrne, V., Killen, H., Coenraad, M., Ketelhut, D. J., & Plane, J. (2021). Facilitation as Assessment of Teacher’s Computational Thinking Knowledge during Lesson Co-Design. Presented at the American Educational Research Association Conference 2021.
  • Killen, H., Coenraad, M., Byrne, V., Cabrera, L., Ketelhut, D. J., & Plane, J. (2021). Benefits of Expanded Mentorship in a Community of Practice Model for Computational Thinking Professional Development. Presented at the American Educational Research Association Conference 2021.
  • Coenraad, M., Byrne, V., Ketelhut, D. J., Plane, J., Cabrera, L., Killen, H., & Mills, K. M. (2021). Designing the Science Teaching Computational Thinking Inquiry Group: Professional Development for CT-Integrated Elementary Science. Presented at the American Educational Research Association Conference 2021.
  • Killen, H., Coenraad, M., Cabrera, L., Byrne, V., & Ketelhut, D.J. (2021). Integrating Computational Thinking into Elementary Inquiry-Based Science Instruction: Affordances of a Community of Practice Model. Presented at the NARST 94th Annual International Conference.
  • Cabrera, L., Coenraad, M., Mills, K., McGinnis, J. R., Jass Ketelhut, D. (2020). Preservice Teachers’ Self-Efficacy and Computational Thinking: A Mixed-Methods Approach. To be presented at the Division C Outstanding Graduate Student Research Posters session at the American Educational Research Association Conference 2020 (AERA; Conference Canceled). San Francisco, CA.
  • Killen, H., Mills, K., Cabrera, L., Coenraad, M., Jass Ketelhut, D., McGinnis, J. R., Plane, J. (2020). Computational Thinking in Elementary Education: A Framework to Develop a CT Language Roadmap. To be presented at the American Educational Research Association Conference 2020 (AERA). San Francisco, CA.
  • Mills, K., Coenraad, M., Cabrera, L., Killen, H., Jass Ketelhut, D., McGinnis, J. R. (2020). A Design Based Research Approach to Integrating Computational Thinking into Elementary Science Teacher Education. To be presented at a roundtable at the American Educational Research Association Conference 2020 (AERA). San Francisco, CA.
  • Cabrera, L., Jass Ketelhut, D., Hestness, E. E., Mills, K., & McGinnis, J. R. (2019). Effects of a Computational Thinking Module on Preservice Teachers’ Knowledge and Beliefs. Presented at a roundtable at the American Educational Research Association Conference (AERA). Toronto, ON.
  • Mills, K., Bonsignore, E., Pauw, D., Pitt, C., Hernly, K., Cabrera, L., … Clegg, T. (2019). Eliciting Scientific Funds of Knowledge Through Social Media Sharing in Formal Learning Environments. Presented at the American Educational Research Association Conference (AERA). Toronto, ON.
  • Hestness, E. E., Mills, K. M., McGinnis, J. R., Ketelhut, D. J., Jeong, H., & Cabrera, L. (2019). Preservice Teachers’ Beliefs About CT Integration in Elementary Science Instruction. In NARST 92nd Annual International Conference. Baltimore, MD.
  • Cabrera, L., McGinnis, J. R., Ketelhut, D. J., Hestness, E. E., Mills, K. M., & Jeong, H. (2019). Preservice Teachers’ Changes in Self-Efficacy Regarding Computational Thinking. In NARST 92nd Annual International Conference. Baltimore, MD.
  • McGinnis, J. R., Ketelhut, D. J., Hestness, E. E., Mills, K. M., Jeong, H., & Cabrera, L. (2019). An Examination of Preservice Teachers’ Integration of Computational Thinking in Their Elementary School Lesson Plans. In NARST 92nd Annual International Conference. Baltimore, MD.
  • Cabrera, L., Ahn, J., Yip, J. C., Clegg, T., Hernly, K., Bonsignore, E., … Pauw, D. (2018). Exploring Practices on the Move: Facilitating Learning Across a Neighborhood. Presented at the Human-Computer Interaction Lab 35th Annual Symposium. University of Maryland, College Park.

LET'S TALK

If you'd like to get in touch with me, the best way is to send me an email. You can also follow me on Twitter, connect on LinkedIn, or follow my work on ResearchGate.

  • EMAIL

    cabrera1@terpmail.umd.edu