Dr. Ryan Knowles
Associate Professor, School of Teacher Education & Leadership
Utah State University
Research Overview
Dr. Ryan Knowles explores civic education, teacher preparation, and the role of identity in social studies teaching and learning. His research contributes to how educators prepare active, informed citizens through innovative curricula and teaching strategies.
- Pre-service social studies teacher beliefs and development
- Civic and democratic education theory
- Curricular and pedagogical innovation in social studies
- Political and civic identity development
- Impact of teacher education programs on student outcomes
Key Ideas from Democracy for Education
- Democracy as Practice: Education should not just teach about democracy, but guide students to practice it in authentic settings.
- Empowering Student Voice: The classroom should cultivate active citizenship by empowering students to express their voices and participate in decision-making.
- Critical Inquiry and Civic Deliberation: Encouraging students to critically analyze social issues, fostering deliberation and informed action.
- Diversity and Inclusion: A democratic education values diverse perspectives, equity, and the inclusion of marginalized voices in classroom dialogue and curriculum.
- Connection to Community: Preparing students to engage with and contribute meaningfully to their communities beyond the classroom.
Selected Publications & Projects
Exploring the Democratic Purpose of Education: Investigating how social studies teachers integrate civic purpose into classrooms.
Identity Development in Preservice Teachers: Focusing on how beliefs influence instructional choices and student engagement.
Civic Engagement Initiatives: Collaborating with K-12 educators to implement service-learning and project-based learning for stronger community ties.
Online Simulations for Political Learning: Researching how digital tools can foster critical deliberation and participation among students.
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