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Faculty Profile

David W. Denton

David W. Denton

Associate Professor

Email: dentod@spu.edu
Phone: 206-281-2504
Office: Peterson Hall 317


Education: BA, University of Oregon, 1998; MEd, University of Oregon, 2000; EdD, Seattle Pacific University, 2010. At SPU since 2011.

David W. Denton, EdD, joined the School of Education at Seattle Pacific University after teaching junior high and middle school students for 10 years. While he was in the schoolhouse, Dr. Denton taught a variety of subjects, including science, language arts, and physical education. However, he spent most of his time instructing students in mathematics and social studies. In 2005, Dr. Denton earned National Board Certification in early adolescent mathematics. He also has experience coaching junior high sports for 11 seasons.

Dr. Denton’s research focuses on the use of instructional practices for improving student achievement. He is particularly interested in understanding how instructional technology can be used to enhance engagement, deepen content understanding, and promote reflective thinking.

Dr. Denton has written articles on the use of basic instructional practices, as well as instructional technology, for audiences including both researchers and teacher-practitioners. He is past editor of Curriculum in Context, an online journal for Washington State educators, and President-Elect for the Association of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges for Teacher Education. In 2012, Dr. Denton received the Association of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges for Teacher Education scholar award. And, in 2011, Dr. Denton’s dissertation was recognized by the Washington Educational Research Association for its contribution toward improving instructional practices in secondary classrooms.


Books

Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Together: Reflective Assessments for Middle and High School Mathematics, with Arthur Ellis

Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education, 2010

Selected Publications

  • Denton, D. W. & Sink, C. (2015). “Preserving the social studies as core curricula in an era of common core reform.” Journal of Social Studies Education Research 6(2), 1-17. Retrieved from jsser.org/article/view/1045000170
  • Denton, D. W. (2013) “Responding to edTPA: Transforming Practice or Applying Shortcuts?” AILACTE Journal 10(1), 16–36. Retrieved from ailacte.org/images/uploads/general/AILACTE_Journal_Fall_2013.pdf
  • Denton, D. W. (2012) “Enhancing Instruction through Constructivism, Cooperative Learning, and Cloud Computing.” Tech Trends 56(4), 34–41. doi: 10.1007/s11528-012-0585-1
  • Denton, D. W. (2012). “Improving the Quality of Preservice Teachers’ Evidence–Based Writing Entries in Electronic Portfolios.” International Journal of ePortfolio 2(2), 187–197. Retrieved from theijep.com/pdf/IJEP76.pdf
  • Denton, D.W. (2011, May/June). “The Assignment Journal: A Student-Centered Resource and Organizing System.” Middle Level Learning, 41, 10-15.
  • Denton, D.W. (Ed.). (2012, Fall). “Upholding Common Standards: Adopting and Implementing Common Core” 38(2). Curriculum in Context. Retrieved from wsascd.org/curriculum-in-context-ejournal/

Please view Dr. Denton’s CV and Blog for additional publications. Lectures are also available on Dr. Denton’s YouTube Channel.

David Denton

Why I Teach at SPU

David W. Denton, Assistant Professor of Education, Director of Graduate Teacher Education

“I teach at SPU because this is where future educators are formed into the leaders of tomorrow. I believe that each graduate from the School of Education will touch the lives of countless students in primary and secondary schools across Washington, the nation, and even the world. I teach at Seattle Pacific because it is a privilege and joy to join with students, staff, and faculty in being a part of this critically important work.”