Michael Ota

Primary Researcher

Department of Curriculum and Instruction, University of Texas at Austin

• Understanding the ADD/ADHD Mind under Dr. Lucia McKay. Developed and researched the affect ADD/ADHD has on the learning process. Topic for undergraduate/certification report.

• U.S. Scores in 2006 PISA Show NCLB Not Performing Internationally under Dr. Helen Martin. Analyzed PISA 2006 dataset to confirm findings that US students fall behind the students of Japan and Germany, but not in depths of knowledge.

• Instructional Design Changes Teacher Attitudes Towards Instructional Technologyunder Dr. Paul Resta. Developed and implemented training of teachers on use of blogs in the K-8 classroom.

• Changes in Skills, Attitudes, and Perceptions under Dr. Paul Resta. Developed and researched the affect of blog activities on communication skills, attitudes towards technology, and emotional perceptions of students with social deficits.
  

• Use of Emotion Avatars as Treatment for Social Deficits of Individuals with Autism: A Literature Review under Dr. Mark O’Reilly. Researched the effectiveness of different modes of avatars on the communication skills of individuals with autism and other social deficits. Currently in development.

• Social and Emotional Expressions in Online Blogs on Multi-purposed Websites under Dr. George Velestianos. Studied the frequency of emotional and social expression in multi-purposed websites, like MineCraft.net. 

Research Assistant 

Department of Human Ecology, University of Texas at Austin 

• Worked on various projects under Dr. Vicki Hampton, including telephone survey and data analysis on how well customers were informed by pharmacists.

Department of Educational Psychology, University of Texas at Austin

• You Can’t Say You Can’t Play under Dr. Amanda Harrist. Conducted interviews and processed data on socio-metric ratings of Austin-area kindergartners. Heavily involved in set up, implementation of study, and data analysis.

Graduate Research Assistant/Web Coordinator

Dana Center, University of Texas at Austin

• Advanced Mathematics Decision Making under Dr. Cathy Seeley. Develop research and solutions for online professional development, including web communities through Moodle, facilitator and participant training, and synchronous distance learning. Collect and analyze data on effectiveness.

Published Works

Advanced Mathematical Decision Making, 2009. Contributing writer on two units and provided consult on review and implementation of all materials.

Learner Experiences with MOOCs and Open Online Learning, 2013. Contributing writer on a collection of student-based experiences with Mass Open Online Courses. 

Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT) Use in the Reduction of Challenging Behaviors for an Individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability, 2016. Thesis using single-subject, ABAC design and exploring the use of deep-pressure therapy with an individual with autism and an intellectual disability.