Dr. Jody Clarke-Midura
Professor and Associate Dean for Graduate Studies
Educational Background
Ed. D., Learning and Teaching, Harvard Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, MA
M.Ed., Technology in Education
B.A. Dual Concentration in English and Women’s Studies, Cum Laude, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
Biography
Jody is a Professor of Instructional Technology & Learning Sciences and the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies in the College of Education and Human Services. Her work centers on the design of playful, technology-enhanced learning environments that support how students engage with STEM concepts in dynamic, hands-on ways.
Dr. Clarke-Midura collaborates closely with both graduate and undergraduate students, mentoring them as they shape their research identities and contribute to the future of the learning sciences. Her approach is grounded in the belief that meaningful learning happens when students are given opportunities to explore, create, and connect ideas through authentic experiences.
Outside of her academic work, she draws inspiration from time spent outdoors—hiking, skiing, and building with LEGOs alongside her daughters—activities that reflect her interest in learning through play.
Research
Dr. Clarke-Midura’s research explores how learners use interactive technologies—such as games, simulations, and coding robots—to deepen understanding in STEM and develop computational thinking skills. She is particularly interested in how technology can support engaging, relevant, and developmentally appropriate learning experiences across K–12 and early childhood education settings.
Her areas of research include:
- Game-based and simulation learning in STEM
- Computational thinking in early and elementary education
- Technology-enhanced assessment
- Learning design that connects theory, research, and classroom practice
She collaborates on interdisciplinary research teams and has led multiple projects supported by external funding agencies. Her work integrates learning sciences, instructional design, and digital tools to design learning environments that are hands-on, interactive, and driven by student exploration.
Playful Explorations Lab (PEL)
The Playful Explorations Lab is a collaboration between Jody Clarke-Midura (ITLS) and Jessica Shumway (TEAL). We work with students across all disciplines to design playful STEM learning experiences for elementary classrooms.
Publications
A selection of my publications since arriving at USU can be found on the PEL website. See Google Scholar for a comprehensive list of publications.