Education

• Ph. D. 2000,Cornell University: Educational Psychology and Organizational Behavior
• M.S. 1997, Cornell University: Educational Psychology and Adult Education
• B.A. 1992, Universidad Católica Andrés Bello, Caracas, Venezuela: Education.
• Associate degree in Special Education, 1987. Colegio Universitario de Psicopedagogía, Caracas Venezuela: Developmental Disabilities and Emotional Disorders.

Courses Taught

• Undergraduate Research Team
• Educational Psychology
• Life-Span Developmental Psychology: A Cross-cultural Perspective        
• Developmental Psychology & Culture: An international learning experience—The Dominican Republic.
• Proseminar in Development
• School Psychology Internships
• Intro to Developmental Psychology 
• Cross-cultural Psychology

Publications

• Pena-Shaff, J. & Altman, W.S. (2009). Case-based instruction using asynchronous online discussions: A synthesis. The Journal on Excellence in College Teaching.

• Pena-Shaff, J. (2009). Student patterns of interaction in asynchronous online discussions: Implications for teaching and research. In Méndez-Vilas, Solano Martín, Mesa González & Mesa González (Eds), Research, Reflections and Innovations in Integrating ICT in Education, 1. (pp. 440-445). Formatex, Badajoz, Spain.

• Altman, W.S., Eriksen, K., & Pena-Shaff, J. (2006). An inclusive process for departmental textbook selection. Teaching of Psychology,33, 228-231.

• Stephenson, H., Pena-Shaff, J., & Quirk, P. (2006). Predictors of college student suicidal ideation: Gender differences. College Student Journal, 40, 109-117.

• Pena-Shaff, J., Altman, W., & Stephenson, H. (2005). Asynchronous online discussions as a tool for learning: Students’ attitudes, expectations, and perceptions. Journal of Interactive Learning Research, 16, 409-430.

• Pena-Shaff, J. & Nicholls, C. (2004). Analyzing student interactions and meaning construction in Computer Bulletin Board (BBS) discussions. Computers and Education, 42, 243-265.

• Pena-Shaff, J., Martin, W., & Gay, G. (2001). An epistemological framework for analyzing student interactions in computer-mediated communication environments. Journal of Interactive Learning Research, 12, 41-68.

Conference Presentations

• Pena-Shaff, J. (2009, April). Student patterns of interaction in asynchronous online discussions: Implications for teaching and research. Poster presented at the V International Conference on Multimedia and Communication Technologies in Education. Lisbon, Portugal.

• Dennis, C., & Pena-Shaff, J. (2006, June). An ethnographic analysis of activity settings in two preschools in the Dominican Republic. Paper presented at the 18th Annual Conference on ethnographic and Qualitative Research in Education, Cedarville, OH.

• Dennis, C., & Pena-Shaff, J. (2005, May). A cross-cultural comparison of preschools in the Dominican Republic and the United States: Patterns of activity and interaction. Paper presented at the Faculty Development Conference, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY.

• Pena-Shaff, J. & Altman, W. (2005, March). Asynchronous Online Discussions of Cases in Educational Psychology Classes. Poster presentation at the 16th International Conference on College Teaching and Learning, Jacksonville, FL.

• Altman, W., Ericksen, K., & Pena-Shaff, J. (2005, January). The selection of a departmental textbook for General Psychology: An objective process. Poster presentation at the 27th Annual NITOP Conference, St. Petersburg Beach, FL.

• Pena-Shaff, J., & Nicholls, C. (2004, November). Student interactions and meaning construction in computer bulletin board systems. Paper presented at the 10th Annual Sloan-C International Conference on Asynchronous Learning Networks (ALN), Orlando, FL.

• Pena-Shaff, J., Altman, W., & Stephenson, H. (2004, July). Students’ attitudes, expectations and perceived learning outcomes of online discussions. Poster session presented at the American Psychological Association 112th Annual Convention, Honolulu, HI.

• Stephenson, H., Pena-Shaff, J., Quirk, P., & Balliet, W. (2004, May). Self reported marijuana use and negative outcomes: Data from the NCHA. Poster presented at New York State Psychological Association, Saratoga Springs, NY.

• Pena-Shaff, J. & Altman, W. (2004, May). Learning via asynchronous online discussions: Students’ attitudes, expectations and perceptions. Paper presented at the Conference on Faculty-Student Partnerships in Teaching & Learning, SUNY, Geneseo, NY.

• Pena-Shaff, J. (2002, April). Analyzing student interactions and meaning construction in Computer Bulletin Board discussions used as a supplement to regular class discussions. Paper presented at Northeast Region Blackboard Users’ Conference. St. Lawrence University, NY.

• Also visit my other website for a photo display of my activities with students at www.ithaca.edu/faculty/jpenaper

Student Conference Presentations

• Bolanis, P., Corsaro, C., Gomez, J., Lewis, R., Lo, D. Passaretti , K., Pena-Shaff, J. (2008, April). An evaluation of two extended-day programs. Paper presented at the Eastern Colleges Science Conference. Niagara Falls, NY.

• George, C., Priestley, H., Rich, R., Berlin, B., Corsaro, C., Gomez, J., & Pena-Shaff, J. (2007, April). A qualitative evaluation of a youth employment program. Poster presented at the North East regional Sigma Xi conference, Ithaca, NY.

• Grossfeld, E., Hunt, A., McCutcheon, B., Hautala,M., Lewis, R., Lo, D., & Pena-Shaff, J. (2007, April). An analysis of an after-school program and its impact on children and their families. Poster presented at the North East regional Sigma Xi conference, Ithaca, NY.

• Yogeeswaran, K., Kim, J. & Pena-Shaff, J. (2006, April). A cross-cultural study on kindergarten daily activities in India and Japan. Paper presented at the Interdisciplinary Conference for the Behavioral Sciences, Alliance, OH.

• Walczynski, K., Yogeeswaran, K., Pena-Shaff J., & White A. (2005, April). Analysis of preschool daily activities in The Dominican Republic. Poster presented at the 59th Annual Eastern Colleges Science Conference, New Britain, CT.

• Yogeeswaran, K., Walczynski, K., Pena-Shaff J., & White A. (2005, April). Analysis of preschool daily activities in India. Poster presented at the 59th Annual Eastern Colleges Science Conference, New Britain, CT

• Walczynski, K., Yogeeswaran, K., Pena-Shaff J., & White A. (2005, April). Analysis of preschool daily activities in the Dominican Republic. Poster presented at the Whalen Symposium, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY.

• Yogeeswaran, K., Walczynski, K., Pena-Shaff J., & White A. (2005, April). Analysis of preschool daily activities in India. Poster presented at the Poster presented at the Whalen Symposium, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY.

• Walczynski, K., Pena-Shaff, J., & Stephenson, H. (2004, April). Socialization patterns and teaching practices in Dominican Republic preschools as perceived by United States preschool personnel. Poster session presented at the 58th Eastern Colleges Science Conference, New York, NY.

• Belesis, M., Stephenson, H., & Pena-Shaff, J. (2003, April). Risk Factors for College Student Suicide. Poster presentation. Poster session presented at the 57th Eastern Colleges Science Conference, Ithaca, NY.