Diane J. Goldsmith

Biography

Diane J. Goldsmith joined the team at the University of Rhode Island as the Director of the Office for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning in 2012. Since then her focus has been on supporting faculty in teaching and assessment in the classroom, online, or in a blended format. She has led the efforts to develop URI Online and the Academic Testing Center. Diane has served on many URI committees including as chair of the President’s LGBTQ Commission and co-chair of Standard 6 for URI’s 10-year NECHE Evaluation. She has also served as an external evaluator for NECHE. Previously, Diane served as the Executive Director as well as the Dean of Planning, Research, and Assessment for the Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium. As such, she designed a student online course evaluation Instrument, conducted research on student learning online and faculty teaching online and developed Performance Indicators for the annual CT Department of Higher Education report. Diane was the principal investigator for two FIPSE and three Davis Educational Foundation grants which were used to develop collaborative online academic support services. Diane also developed curricula, evaluated programs, and coordinated planning and training for distance learning as Director of Transition and Women’s Programs at Manchester Community College. While working as Interim Director and Associate Director for the Women’s Center at the University of Connecticut, Diane conducted institutional studies of gender issues, as well as developed programming to address concerns of women and raise awareness of women’s issues at the University. She also founded and carried out professional development programs for administrators, faculty, and staff.

Research

Diane’s research has been focused on online learning and teaching, LGBTQ+ Issues, and gender and women studies. Diane has presented at numerous National and Statewide Conferences including multiple presentations for NECHE, WCET, Academic Impressions and NERCOMP.

Education

Ph.D, Educational Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT

M.A.T., English as a Second Language, School for International Training, Brattleboro, VT

B.A., History, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY

Selected Publications

  • McHaelen, R., King, F., Goldsmith, D.J., & Pomerantz, H. (2020). Opening the Dooors for All LGBTQ+ Students. In S.T. Brand & L. Ciccomascolo (Eds.) Social justice and putting theory into practice in schools and communities (pp.136-161). IGI Global.
  • Goldsmith, D. (2007). Enhancing Learning and Assessment Through Electronic Portfolios: A Collaborative Effort in Connecticut. In J. Garis (Ed), Emerging Student ePortfolios: Opportunities for Student Affairs. Josey Bass. (In Press).
  • Goldsmith, D., Nielsen, D., Rezendes, G., Manly, C. (2006). eSkills: Foundation or Frustration: A Research Study of Entering Community College Students’ Computer Competency. Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium.
  • Goldsmith, D. and Rogers, C. (2003) An Interactive Peer Examination of Online Teaching: Experienced and Novice Instructors Explore Best Practices. Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium.
  • Burton, L. and Goldsmith, D. (2002) Students’ Experiences in Online Courses: A Study Using Asynchronous Online Focus Groups. Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium.
  • Burton, L. and Goldsmith, D. (2002) Burton, L. and Goldsmith, D. (2002) The Medium is the Message: Using online focus groups to study online learning. Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium.
  • Goldsmith, D. (2001) Communication, Humor, and Personality: Student’s Attitudes to Learning Online. Academic Exchange Quarterly. 5 (2), p. 108-112.
  • Reis, S., Callahan, C; & Goldsmith, D. (1996). Attitudes of adolescent gifted girls and boys toward education, achievement, and the future. In K.D. Arnold, K.D. Noble, & R.F. Subotnik (Eds.) Remarkable Women: Perspectives on Female Talent Development.
  • Reis, S., Callahan, C; & Goldsmith, D. (1994). Attitudes of adolescent gifted girls and boys toward education, achievement, and the future. Gifted Education International. 9 (3), p. 144-51.
  • Goldsmith, D., Lewis, L., Lakes, R., & Pritchard, A. (1989) It’s our school too! A study of students in nontraditional occupations in Connecticut’s vocational technical schools. Vocational Equity, Research, Training, and Evaluation Center. Report to the State Department of Education. Storrs: University of Connecticut.
  • Lewis, L., Mellow, G., Murphy, C., & Goldsmith, D. (1989). Gender equity in Connecticut’s vocational technical schools: A status report 1984-7. Vocational Equity, Research, Training, and Evaluation Center. Report to the State Department of Education. Storrs: University of Connecticut.
  • Sanders, K., Goldsmith, D., & Mellow, G. (1989). Double Jeopardy: The precarious status of women of color at the University of Connecticut. Storrs: University of Connecticut.