Master Lecturer
World Languages & Cultures

Zhongtang Ren

4001 BATTEN ARTS & LETTERS
NORFOLK, 23529

Dr. Zhongtang Ren is a master lecturer at the Department of World Languages and Cultures, ±¬ÁϹÏ.

M.A. in Applied Linguistics, ±¬ÁϹÏ, (2013)

Ph.D. in Urban Studies in Education, ±¬ÁϹÏ, (2006)

M.S. in Secondary Education, ±¬ÁϹÏ, (2001)

B.A. in Linguistics and Literature, Henan Normal University, (1984)

Contracts, Grants and Sponsored Research

"Enhancing Undergraduate Modeling and Simulation Education Through Novel Curriculum Design, Proactive Recruitment, and Inclusive Scholarships" $1,155,000. Federal. January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2026
"Evaluation for REU Site: Undergraduate Research Opportunities in Chemistry for Community College Students at ±¬ÁϹÏ" $314,954. Federal. May 1, 2017 - August 31, 2024
"Evaluation for The ±¬ÁÏ¹Ï Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement (U-RISE). Federal. June 1, 2023 -
"Evaluation for Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research Program at ±¬ÁÏ¹Ï " $1,483,525. Federal. June 1, 2018 - May 31, 2023
Zhu, H., Shen, Y., Najand, M. S., Xu, L. D. and Ren, Z. "Evaluation for Improving Programming and Financial Literacy Education Using Student-Developed Games" $197,746. Federal. 2011 - 2014
Ren, Z. "Big Read" $20,000. ±¬ÁϹÏ. May 1, 2010 -
"Teaching American History in Newport News Public Schools, Virginia" $121,729. Federal. July 1, 2009 -

Expertise

China
Chinese Language and Culture

Research Interests

Student and teacher epistemological beliefs in different cultures, different domains and different learning environments.

Articles

Li, Y. and Ren, Z. (2012). Cultural conflict and reconciling process in Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club. Masterpieces Review 9 (407) , pp. 23-25.
Peng, X. and Ren, Z. (2010). Development of college students’ autonomous English learning ability in Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT). Contemporary Educational Science 5 , pp. 56-64.
Ren, Z. (2010). Development of college students’ autonomous English learning ability in Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT). Contemporary Educational Science 5 , pp. 56-64.
Ren, Z., Baker, P. and Zhang, S. (2009). Effects of student-written Wiki-base textbooks on pre-service teachers’ epistemological beliefs. Journal of Educational Computing Research 40 (4) , pp. 429-449.
Ren, Z. (2008). Review of models and instruments of epistemological belief studies. Journal of Seeking the Truth 4 (35) , pp. 5-11.
Allen, D. W., Li, L., Lu, R., Liu, H. and Ren, Z. (2005). Capstone in High education. Journal of Seeking the Truth 3 , pp. 1-5.
Ren, Z. (2000). A new approach to studying English grammar. Journal of Luoyang Normal University 4 , pp. 129-130.
Ren, Z. (1999). Teacher’s performance appraisal. Journal of Luoyang Teachers College 1 , pp. 102-114.

Book Chapters

Ren, Z. (1994). A new Practical English Grammar Henan People's Press.

Presentations

(May , 2010). Gender and ethnicity differences in secondary school students’ epistemological beliefs. American Educational Research Association (AERA) conference Denver, CO.
(May , 2010). Understanding differences in epistemological beliefs between pre-service teachers and in-service teachers American Educational Research Association Conference Denver, CO.
Zhang, S. and Shi, Q. ( 2009). Appropriateness of teacher self-disclosure: American and Chinese K-12 teachers' perceptions 7th Hawaii International Conference on Education Honolulu, HI.
Zhang, S., Shi, Q. and Hao, S. ( 2009). Teaching effectiveness of teacher self-disclosure 7th Hawaii International Conference on Education Honolulu, HI.
Liu, H., Dang, X., Zhang, S. and Hou, M. ( 2009). Understanding pre-service teachers’ epistemological beliefs across domains Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference Chesapeake, VA.
Baker, P., Kidd, J., Myers, D., Wakefield, A. and Blackburn, D. (April , 2009). A follow-up study on the effects of student-written Wiki-based textbooks on pre-service teachers’ epistemological beliefs American Educational Research Association (AERA) conference San Diego, CA.
Zhang, S., Quinn, L. and Shi, Q. (February , 2009). Dare American education borrow a Three Fors from China? Association of Teacher Educators (ATE) conference Dallas, TX.
Dang, X., Zhang, S., Baker, P. and Allen, D. ( 2008). Effects of Wiki-textbook writing on college students' epistemological beliefs. In C. Crawford et al. (Eds.) Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference Chesapeake, VA.
Myran, S., Baker, P. and Blackburn, D. (March , 2008). Effects of student-written Wiki-based textbooks on pre-service teachers’ epistemological beliefs American Educational Research Association (AERA) 2008 conference New York, NY.
Myran, S., Blackburn, D., Zhang, S. and Young, S. (January , 2008). Addressing values: Promoting Deliberative Democratic Evaluation for educational problems. 6th Hawaii International Conference on Education Honolulu, HI.
(January , 2008). Culture and moral sense: What they mean to today's prospective teachers the 6th Hawaii International Conference on Education Honolulu, HI.
Myran, S. (September , 2007). A Cross-cultural study of moral judgment and epistemological beliefs American Educational Research Association (AERA) 2007 conference. Chicago, IL.
Tonelson, S., Allen, D. and Nunnery, J. (April , 2007). A cross-cultural study of epistemological beliefs and moral reasoning between American and Chinese college students Research Expo, Eastern Virginia Medical School Norfolk, VA.
Allen, D. (September , 2005). Values and ethics in higher education National Academy of Educational Administration Beijing, China.
Allen, D. (July , 2005). How moral sense in different cultures might influence the education system Third Global Ethical Symposium & Youth Summit Beijing, China.
Allen, D. (July , 2005). Scholars’ social responsibility Third Global Ethical Symposium & Youth Summit Beijing, China.
Allen, D., Lu, R. and Liu, H. ( 2004). ). Moral sense and culture: A conceptual inquiry and preliminary study--with its implications for teacher education in a global and multicultural context. Conference Proceedings of International Forum on Integrated Education and Educational Reform Center for Global Integrated Education, Inc. Santa Cruz, CA.
Allen, D., Liu, H. and Ren, Z. ( 2004). ). Building a Strong and Successful Online Learning Environment through Instructor Initiated Support and Affective Communication with Students Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference Chesapeake, VA.
Ruiling, L., Liu, H., Ren, Z. and Allen, D. ( 2004). Effects of Anonymous e-Peer Feedback vs. Identifiable Member e-Peer Feedback on College Student Writing Performance Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference Chesapeake, VA.
  • 2024: Enchanting Undergraduate Modeling and Simulation Education Through Novel Curriculum Design, Proactive Recruitment, and Inclusive Scholarships (Evaluation), US Department of Education
  • 2023: The ±¬ÁÏ¹Ï Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement (U-RISE) (Evaluation), National Institute of Health
  • 2019: Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research Program at ±¬ÁÏ¹Ï (Internal Evaluation), National Institute of Health
  • 2018: REU Site: Undergraduate Research Opportunities in Chemistry for Community College Students at ±¬ÁÏ¹Ï (Evaluation), National Science Foundation
  • 2017: Robert L. Stern Excellence in Teaching Award, College of Arts and Letters, ±¬ÁϹÏ
  • 2011: Improving Programming and Financial Literacy Education (Evaluation), National Science Foundation
  • 2010: Big Read, National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
  • 2009: Teaching American History Grant (Evaluation), U.S. Department of Education
  • 2006: Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Life Member, Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
  • 2005: Dissertation Funding Award, ±¬ÁϹÏ
  • 2004: RCR (Responsible Conduct of Research) Task Force , ±¬ÁϹÏ
  • 2000: Provincial Award of Educational Evaluation and Reform, Henan Normal University, China
  • 2000: University Assistantship, ±¬ÁϹÏ
  • 1992: Excellent Teaching Awards & Educator Awards, Luoyang Normal University; China
  • 1982: Art Award in Municipal Art Exhibitions, Xinxiang City, China
  • 1982: The First Awards in Art Exhibitions, Henan Normal University, China
  • 1980: Honor Student Awards, Henan Normal University, China