Associate Teaching Professor
Director of the Chemistry Center
Office: Salem Hall, 110
Phone: (336) 758-3964
Email: wrenda@wfu.edu
Education
B.S., 2005, University of California, Davis
M.S., 2008, University of Colorado, Boulder
Ph.D., 2013, University of Northern Colorado
Research Description
Dr. Wren’s research interests center broadly on understanding the challenges students face while taking introductory chemistry courses. Measuring student learning or attitudinal outcomes using existing assessment instruments, or developing new assessments is central to this understanding. As part of this research, Dr. Wren hopes to identify both traditional and contemporary teaching practices that maximize student learning for students of different backgrounds and preparations. Recently, Dr. Wren has worked to increase student positive outcomes in CHM 111 using informative summer assessments and the creation of a new CHM 111S course.
Publications
D. Wren, J. Barbera, Gathering Evidence for Validity during the Design, Development, and Qualitative Evaluation of Thermochemistry Concept Inventory Items. J. Chem. Educ. 2013, 90 (12), pp 1590-1601
D. Wren, J. Barbera, Psychometric analysis of the thermochemistry concept inventory. Chem. Educ. Res. Pract. 2014, 15 pp 380-390
Awards and Accomplishments
2023 – Kulynych Family Omicron Delta Kappa Award (Wake Forest University awarded for outstanding work bridging the gap between the classroom and student life)