DISCOVERY EDUCATION CREATES LEARNING ANALYTICS DEPARTMENT AND PROMOTES DR. KAREN BARTON TO VICE PRESIDENT OF THE TEAM
September 11, 2014
Silver Spring, Md. (September 11, 2014) - Discovery Education is pleased to name Dr. Karen Barton vice president of learning analytics. Dr. Barton will lead Discovery Education's recently created learning analytics group, spearheading Discovery Education's work in the area of personalized learning and use of analytics to best inform instruction and support educators and students with individualized educational experiences.
As vice president of learning analytics, Dr. Barton will lead the development and analyses of technology enhanced and interactive content embedded in learning environments. She will lead her team with expertise in research, evaluation, learning and data sciences, and psychometrics to analyze, measure, and develop adaptive and personalized learning programs across Discovery Education's suite of digital products and services. She will also work closely with Discovery Education's Product Development and Systems Development teams to ensure the company's products and services effectively meet school district partners' goals and improve student achievement.
"Dr. Barton's expertise in educational research and measurement will be invaluable in directing this team to inform instruction and have a positive impact on students' learning," said Kelli Campbell, senior vice president, Discovery Education. "The research and development by our Learning Analytics team provides tremendous insight that keeps Discovery Education on the forefront of today's changing education landscape."
Dr. Barton will also use analytics to create individualized pathways through content and responsive, personalized experiences for Discovery Education's award-winning Techbook series, a complete digital solution that replaces traditional textbooks and features dynamic, standards-based digital content and engaging resources.
Previously, Dr. Barton served as Discovery Education's assessment and learning analytics expert in her role as senior director, psychometric scientist, where she lead the company's efforts to integrate the effective use of data into all products and services to improve classroom instruction. She also oversaw the development of instructionally relevant assessment resources and interactive learning environments through content alignment and standard settings, in addition to establishing protocols for the evidence-based development and data collection of Discovery Education's Techbook series.
Dr. Barton joined Discovery Education from CTB/McGraw-Hill, where she was a principal research scientist and senior manager, responsible for the psychometric quality of assessment content, designs, results and policies. Prior to joining CTB/McGraw-Hill, Dr. Barton worked as an assessment specialist at the South Carolina Department of Education and as special education teacher for students with mild learning and emotional disabilities.
Among her many industry achievements, Dr. Barton currently sits on the editorial board at Educational Measurement: Issues and Practice, and as a reviewer for various peer review journals. She has served as program co-chair of the National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME), and as guest lecturer at multiple universities.
She received her B.S. in Psychology and M.S. in Special Education from Longwood University in Virginia. Dr. Barton also holds a Ph.D. in Educational Research and Measurement from the University of South Carolina.
For more information about Discovery Education services and resources, visit www.discoveryeducation.com.
About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital content for K-12, transforming teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content that supports the implementation of Common Core, professional development, assessment tools, and the largest professional learning community of its kind. Available in over half of all U.S. schools, community colleges and in 50 countries around the world, Discovery Education partners with districts, states and like-minded organizations to captivate students, empower teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions that accelerate academic achievement. Discovery Education is powered by Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the number one nonfiction media company in the world. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.