Thomas Ricks
Associate Professor
Bachelor's Degree(s): Mathematics Education, Brigham Young University, 2001
Master's Degree: Mathematics Education, Brigham Young University, 2003
PhD: Mathematics Education, University of Georgia, 2007
Phone: (225) 578-0091
Fax: (225) 578-9135
Email: tomricks@lsu.edu
Office: 111F Peabody Hall
Biography
Dr. Ricks’ research interests include mathematics and science education teaching and learning, teacher preparation, complexity, and international cross-cultural comparisons, particularly between the U.S. and mainland China.
Selected Publications
Ricks, T. E. (2011). Process reflection during Japanese lesson study experiences by prospective secondary mathematics teachers. Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education, 14, 251–267. Online version: http://www.springerlink.com/content/0114827t1t119301/
Kirshner, D., Lerman, S., & Ricks, T. E. (2010). What does network theory contribute to theorization of mathematics teaching? A response to Elizabeth Mowat & Brent Davis. Complicity, 7(1), 43–51.
Ricks, T. E. (2010). Mathematics is motivating. The Mathematics Educator, 19(2), 2–19.
Ricks, T. E. (2010). China, Microbes, and Complexity: How to Improve Mathematics Education. In H. Zhang (Ed.). Complexity, Chinese Culture, and Curriculum Reform, pp. 112–122. East China Normal University Press, Shanghai, P. R. China.
Ricks, T. E. (2010). Juxtaposing Chinese and American Mathematics Education Commitments. In P. Brosnan, D. B. Erchick, & L. Flevares, (Eds.), Proceedings of the Thirty-Second Annual Meeting of the North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education (Vol. 6), pp. 354–362. Columbus, Ohio: The Ohio State University.
Ricks, T. E. (2009). Juxtapositional pedagogies in mathematics methods courses. In S. L. Swars, D. W. Stinson, & S. Lemons-Smith, (Eds.), Proceedings of the Thirty-First Annual Meeting of the North-American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education (Vol. 5), pp. 1244–1252. Atlanta, GA: Georgia State University.
Ricks, T. E. (2009). A review of The Wisdom of Crowds, by James Surowiecki. Complicity: An International Journal of Complexity and Education, 6(2),152–155.
Ricks, T. E. (2009). Superbugs and ailing schools: What bacterial colonies can teach us about education. Education Week Commentary, published on-line, July 6, 2009.
Ricks, T. E. (2009). More than a graduate degree: UGA’s mathematics education doctoral program from a complex perspective. Southeastern Teacher Education Journal, 2(3), 147–160.
Ricks, T. E. (2009). Unifying current trends in mathematics education research using complexity theory. Southeastern Teacher Education Journal, 2(2), 75–84.
Ricks, T. E., Lu, L., & Fleener, M. J. (2009). Understanding students’ thinking from an interrelationship perspective. Journal of Mathematics Education, 17(6), 66–71. Journal of Mathematics Education is the top-tier Chinese mathematics education journal. Editorial office: Tianjin (Tian Jing) Normal University, Tianjin, P. R. China.
Ricks, T. E. (2011, April). The Process Reflection Framework: Integrating Dewey and Schön. Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Education Research Association (AERA), New Orleans, LA.
Ricks, T. E. (2011, April). The Chinese Paradox: How Traditional China Trumps U.S. Reform Attempts. Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), Indianapolis, IN.
Ricks, T. E. (2010, Nov.). China, Microbes, and Complexity: How to Improve Mathematics Education. Keynote Address at the Complexity Science and Educational Research Conference (CSER) 2010: Complexity, Chinese Culture, and Curriculum Reform, East China Normal University Main Campus, Shanghai, P. R. China.
Selected Presentations
Ricks, T. E. (2010, Nov.). When East and West Meet: Comparisons, Challenges, and Recommendations for Improving Mathematics Instruction in China and the United States. Invited Colloquim at East China Normal University (New Campus), Mathematics Department (hosted by Li Shi Qi), Shanghai, P. R. China.
Ricks, T. E. (2010, Nov.). American Mathematics Education Reform and Implications for Chinese Adoption. Invited presentation at Special Shanghai Middle School (hosted by Principal Ren).
Ricks, T. E. (2010, May). Chinese and American Educational Factors. Presentation at the 2nd Classroom Teaching Research Annual Group Meeting 2010 during the International Conference of Mathematics Education China 2010 hosted by the College of Education at Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, P. R. China.
Ricks, T. E. (2010, April). Bacterial Mathematics and What It Means for Mathematics Education. Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), San Diego, CA.
Ricks, T. E. (2010, April). China Unveiled: Urban School Video and Complex Commitment Patterns. Poster Presentation at the Research Presession of the Annual Meeting of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), San Diego, CA.
Ricks, T. E. (2009, Sept.). Juxtapositional Pedagogy: Designing Contrasts to Enable Agency in Methods Courses. Brief Research Report, Annual Meeting of the Psychology of Mathematics Education–North American Chapter, Atlanta, Georgia.
Ricks, T. E. (2009, May). Teaching as Multi-Level Mind Development. 3rd International Conference on Pedagogy of Mathematics Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, P. R. China.
Lu, L. & Ricks, T. E. (2009, May). Current Mathematics Education Context in the United States. 3rd International Conference on Pedagogy of Mathematics Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, P. R. China.
Lu, L. & Ricks, T. E. (2009, May). Mathematics Classes as Learning Communities. Classroom Teaching Research Working Group, part of the 3rd International Conference on Pedagogy of Mathematics Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, P. R. China.
Ricks, T. E. (2009, March). Cinematographic Video: Window on Effective Practices That Stimulate and Sustain Students' Healthy Mathematical Discussions. Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), Washington, D.C.
Selected Grants/Funded Projects
2010 NSF Travel Money, awarded through the US-Sino Workshop on Mathematics and Science Education. $2,610.00 awarded for roundtrip airfare to Hangzhou, P. R. China.
2009 NSF Travel Money, awarded through the US-Sino Workshop on Mathematics and Science Education. $1,400.00 awarded for roundtrip airfare to Beijing, P. R. China.
2009 Louisiana State University Campus Federal Credit Union Teaching Enhancement Fund, $500.00 award, Louisiana State University.
2009 University Travel Grant Monies, $750.00 awarded by the Junior Faculty Travel Programs, Louisiana State University.
2009 College Travel Grant Monies, $1000.00 College of Education award, Louisiana State University.
2008 College Travel Grant Monies, $860.00 College of Education award.
2008 Louisiana State University 2008 Council on Research (COR) Summer Stipend Grant. Student Partnerships as Complex Systems,
2008 Council on Research Summer Stipend Program, Louisiana State University. Funding: $5000.00. PI: T. Ricks. Funded.