Judah L. Schwartz

Judah L. Schwartz is currently Visiting Professor of Education and Research Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Tufts University where he directs a large NSF-supported project on science education for middle-school and elementary school teachers. He is also Emeritus Professor of Engineering Science and Education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Emeritus Professor of Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He was trained in theoretical physics and mathematics and did research for some years in the area of atomic physics. In the course of that research, he and his colleagues developed a variety of computer graphics techniques that proved to be useful in the teaching of mathematics and science. His current research interests include the design of microcomputer software environments to improve the teaching and learning of science and mathematics and the application of cognitive science techniques to the study of mathematics and science education.
He has been a visiting Professor at universities in France, Italy and Israel, has consulted and lectured widely in this country and abroad and has published extensively in the area of educational technology. He is the author or co-author of many software environments including The Semantic Calculator, The Algebraic Proposer, M-SS-NG L-NKS: A Game of Letters & Language, What Do You Do With A Broken Calculator?, The Geometric Supposer, Calculus Unlimited, Sir Isaac Newton's Games, and The Newtonian Sandbox.
Judah has a long standing interest in alternative modes of assessment and has edited reports entitled "The Prices of Secrecy: The Social, Intellectual and Psychological Costs of Current Assessment Practice" and " Assessing Mathematics Understanding & Skills Effectively". Recent publications include a book-length case study of educational reform entitled "The Geometric Supposer; What Is It A Case Of?" and "Software Goes to School: Teaching for Understanding in the Age of Technology". Judah may be contacted by e-mail at judah@gse.harvard.edu.