Research
Research Interests
Impact of masculinities in schooling and curriculum.
Male learner motivation for reading and writing.
Engaging male students in post-secondary English studies.
Increasing male student enrollment in secondary ELA teacher education.
Secondary ELA teacher content knowledge and preparation to teach (pedagogical content knowledge).
Dissertation in Practice (Summer 2023)
Sylvester, Matthew, "The Manifestation of Toxic Masculine Beliefs in Secondary English Curriculum and Instruction in the Southeastern United States: A Grounded Theory Study" (2023). Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-. 1750.https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd2020/1750
Research Knowledge and Experience
Graduate-Level Research Courses Completed:
- Educational Research (EDUR 7130), Georgia Southern University, MEd in Secondary Education
- Seminar in Secondary Education (MSED 7639), Georgia Southern University, MEd in Secondary Education
- Data, Assessment, and Accountability (EDF 7457), University of Central Florida, EdD in Curriculum & Instruction
- Identifying Complex Problems of Educational Practice - Qualitative (EDF 7949), University of Central Florida, EdD in Curriculum & Instruction
- Laboratory of Practice (EDG 7947), University of Central Florida, EdD in Curriculum & Instruction
- Analysis of Complex Problems of Practice - Quantitative (EDF 7478), University of Central Florida, EdD in Curriculum & Instruction
- Proposing and Implementing Data-Driven Decisions (EDG 7985), University of Central Florida, EdD in Curriculum & Instruction
- Evaluation of School Programs (EDG 6285), University of Central Florida, EdD in Curriculum & Instruction
Lab of Practice - Research Study & GAP Analysis (Summer 2021):
Through the Lab of Practice (EDG 7947) course at UCF, I planned a pilot mixed-methods research study to gather data on male learners' sense of belonging in English-related coursework. The study was planned in collaboration with my Doctoral advisor, and I designed the research proposal and received approval from the University of Central Florida's IRB office to gather data from freshman college students. Data collection occurred during the summer of 2021 using the Qualtrics survey platform. The research was used to satisfy the GAP analysis paper milestone in the EdD program by exploring a complex issue of educational practice through a psychological and organizational theoretical lens. I had the opportunity to present the research at the spring 2022 College of Community Innovation and Education Research Showcase.
CCIE_ResearchShowcase_Sylvester.pdf