Faculty and Staff Profiles

Robert L. Williamson, Ed.D
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Office Location:
Office Hours: By Appointment: Standard Hours Posted by Semester
Profile

Dr. Williamson has been supporting people with disabilities for over 20 years in various capacities. He is currently serving as an Asst. Professor of Special Education at The University of Memphis. His research interests involve 21st Century teaching and learning, ubiquitous mobile supports for teachers and students, inclusive educator preparation program designs and the establishment of quantitative evidence based practice standards for inclusive teaching environments.

Additional Information

Twitter: @agileassyst

Education
  • Bachelor of Arts Political Science - The University of California at Davis - 1995
  • Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Instruction and Curriculum Leadership - The University of Memphis - 2005
  • Doctor of Education Instruction and Curriculum Leadership - The University of Memphis - 2009

Work Experience

  • Manager, Group Living Residence for People with Disabilities - Pine Tree Gardens: Davis, CA - 1993-1995
  • Manager, Career Choices Transition Program - The Work Resource Center: Cincinnati, OH - 1996-1999
  • Case Manager, Transition - The Regional Center of the East Bay, Oakland, CA - 1999-2000
  • Director, ACE-IT II Adult Service Program - Easter Seals Superior California, Sacramento, CA - 2000-2001
  • Special Education Teacher, Exceptional Children - Shelby County Schools: Memphis, TN - 2002-2008
  • Instructor, Special Education - The University of Memphis: Memphis, TN - 2008-2009
  • Asst. Professor, Intervention Services - Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH - 2009-2011
  • Asst. Professor, Special Education - The University of Memphis: Memphis, TN - 2011-Present
Honors/Awards
  • Fellow - The University of Memphis Institute on Disability - 2012
  • AAMR: C.W. Spence Award - SE-AAMR - 2003

Teaching Experience

  • Residency II (edTPA SPED & Literacy Prep) (U) - The University of Memphis
  • Residency I for Teacher Candidates (U) - The University of Memphis
  • Assistive Technology for Inclusive Educational Settings (G) - The University of Memphis
  • Classroom Behavior Management (U) - The University of Memphis
  • Assessment of Exceptional Children (U) - Bowling Green State University
  • Assessment of Exceptional Children (U,G) - The University of Memphis
  • Introduction to Exceptional Learners (U) - Bowling Green State University
  • Introduction to Exceptional Learners (U,G) - The University of Memphis (G)
  • Methods of Teaching Students with Leaning Disabilities (U, G) - The University of Memphis
  • Methods of Teaching Students with Mental Retardation (G) - The University of Memphis
  • Practicum in Special Education (G) - The University of Mempihis
  • Methods of Teaching Students with Emotional and Behavior Disorders (U) - The University of Memphis
  • Methods of Teaching Students with Severe and Profound Disabilities (U, G) - Bowling Green State University
  • Collaboration between Families and Professionals (U, G) - Bowling Green State University
  • Medical Mgt of Students with Moderate to Intensive Disabilities (U,G) - Bowling Green State University
  • Supervision of Student Teaching (U,G) - Bowling Green State University
  • Methods: Literacy for Students with Mild to Moderate Disabilities - The University of Memphis

Student Advising/Mentoring

  • Ed.D (Applied Behavior Analysis) - Shannon D. Buford Dissertation Committee Member - 2014
  • Ed.D (Applied Behavior Analysis) - Kim Frame - Dissertation Committee Member - 2014
  • Ed.D (Special Education-Moderate-Severe) - Jennifer Blassengame Dissertation Committee Member - 2011
  • Ed.D (Applied Behavior Analysis) - Kristen McLeod Dissertation Committee Member - 2012
  • M.S. (Computer Information Systems) - Scott Dover - Masters Project Committee - 2011
  • M.Ed Special Education - Michael Schaff Committee/Thesis Chair - 2011
  • M.S. (Applied Behavior Analysis) - William Justice - Thesis Committee Member - 2013

Creative Activities

  • Developed Cognitive Prosthetic for People with Cognitive Disabilities - 2009-2011 - Bowling Green State University - Patent Pending

Support

  • Faculty Research Grant-Co-PI - University of Memphis Provost Office - $6000. - 2012-2013

Outreach

  • Differentiating Instruction with Technology Workshop - Various teachers from local schools - March 20, 2014 - T3 Memphis Teacher Workshop Series
  • Teaching Children with Austim Spectrum Disorders - Memphis Central High School Teachers - October 16, 2013 - Shelby County Schools
  • Teaching Free Time Routines to Individuals with Severe Disabilities - Staff Training for The Exceptional Foundation of West Tennessee - May 31, 2013 - Exceptional Foundation of West Tennessee
  • Reshaping challenging behaviors into engaged learning in the inclusive classroom - Local Teachers and Administrators - Nov. 1, 2012 - DSAM-Down Syndrome Assn. of Memphis
  • TN-STEP: Behavior Apps - Local Parent Conference - 2011 - TN-STEP
  • Training: Video Modeling and Adv. Technologies - LCBDD invited attendees - 2011 - LCBDD and the University of Toledo
  • Parent Training Course Update - NAMI of Greater Toledo - 2010 - NAMI of Greater Toledo
  • Curriculum Advisory Committee Member - UT, AMS, Adult Service Agencies, BGSU - 2010-2011 - Autism Model School of Toledo
  • Board Member of The Exceptional Foundation of West Tennessee - n/a - 2011-2013 - The Exceptional Foundation of West Tennessee
Service
  • The University of Memphis - University Committee on Additional Means of Earning Credit - 2015
  • University of Memphis - Effective On-Line Teaching Committee Chair - 2014-2015
  • TN Council for Behavior Disorders - Secretary - 2013-2014
  • TN Council for Exceptional Children - Treasurer - 2011-2013
  • Journal of Assistive Technology - Article Reviewer - 2012-Present
  • American Educational Research Association - Reviewer for National Conference - 2013
  • The University of Memphis - Faculty - Staff Development Advisory Committee (Chair) - 2013-2014
  • The University of Memphis - Effective On-Line Teaching Committee Member - 2013-2014
  • The University of Memphis - Co-Chair Tenure Track Special Education Search Committee - 2012-2013
  • The University of Memphis - Faculty - Staff Development Advisory Committee Member - 2011-2013
  • Bowling Green State University - Multicultural Incentives Committee Member - 2009-2011
  • Bowling Green State University - Tenure Track Special Ed. Search Committee Member - 2010-2011
  • Bowling Green State University - Research Development Council - 2010-2011
  • Bowling Green State University - Early Childhood Inclusive General Special Education Class Development - 2010-2011
  • Bowling Green State University - University Standing Committee on Information Technology - 2010-2011
  • Bowling Green State University - Election Committee Chair - 2009-2010
  • Bowling Green State University - Tenure and Promotion Guidelines Rewrite Committee - 2009-2010
Consulting
  • Fayette County Schools Autism Training - July, 2009
  • BASE-TN: Praxis Training - June, 2009
  • Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio-Grant - 2010-2011
Journal Articles
  • Schaff, M., Williamson, R.L. & Novak, J. (in press). Are School Administrators Prepared to Provide Leadership in Special Education? Mid-Westerner Educational researcher 27(3)
  • Hunter, W.C., Maheady, L., Jasper, A.D., Williamson, R.L., Murley, R.C. & Stratton, E. (in press). Numbered Heads Together as a Tier 1 Instructional Strategy in Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, Education & Treatment of Children
  • Jasper, A., Hunter, W. & Williamson, R. (in press). Data Recording in the Classroom-It can be done, Beyond Behavior, 24(1)
  • Casey, L.P., Williamson, R.L., Miller, S., Smith, B.J., Coleman, J.B., Frame, K.N., Langford. E.C., Gilmore, B. & McVicar, K. (in press). Emergency department visits by children with and without autism spectrum disorder: An initial comparison evaluating multiple outcome measures at one urban children’s hospital, Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 9, 144-150, DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2014.10.005
  • Williamson, R.L. (2014). Innovative Research Financing for the 21st Century: A case narrative in how technology transfer and entrepreneurship supported the development of a prototype cognitive prosthetic, Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship 1(1), 62-66, DOI: 10.2174/2213809901666131207005722
  • Casey, L.B., Williamson, R.W., Black, T. & Casey, C. (2014). Teaching Written Expression in the Inclusive High School Classroom: Strategies to Assist Students with Disabilities. National FORUM of Applied Educational Research, 27(1 & 2), 45-56
  • Hunter, W., Jasper, A.D., & Williamson, R.L. (in press). Utilizing middle school common planning time to support inclusive environments. Intervention in School and Clinic.
  • Christensen, J.D., Robertson, J.S., Williamson, R.L., & Hunter, L.B. (2013). Preparing Educational Leaders for Special Education Success: Principals’ Perspectives, The Researcher, 25(1), 94-107
  • Hayes, J.A., Baylot-Casey, L., Williamson, R., Black, T., & Winsor, D.(2013). Educators’ Readiness to Teach Children with ASD in an Inclusive Classroom, The Researcher, 25(1), 67-78
  • Meindl, Miller, Ivy, Neef, & Williamson (2013). An Examination of Stimulus Control in Fluency- Based Instruction: SAFMEDS and Generalization, Journal of Behavioral Education, DOI 10.1007/s10864-013-9172-6
  • Casey, L., Reeves, K. & Williamson, R.L. (2013). Readability of documents provided to urban parents. Journal of Urban Education, 64-80
  • Williamson, R.L., Casey, L B., Robertson, J. & Buggey, T. (2013). Video Self-Modeling in Children with Autism: A Pilot Study Validating Prerequisite Skills and Extending the Utilization of VSM across Skill Sets, Assistive Technology, 25(1), DOI: 10.1080/10400435.2012.712604
  • Casey, L., Robertson, J., Williamson, R.L., Serio, C. & Elswick, S. (2011). Spending Instructional Time Wisely: A Case Study Using Brief Intervention Probes to Determine the Most Effective Strategy. Canadian Journal of Education, 34(3),33-46
  • Baylot Casey, L & Williamson, R (2011): Training Parents as Effective Literacy Tutors: Increasing the Procedural Integrity of Tutoring, Mentoring & Tutoring: Partnership in Learning, 19(3), 257-276
  • Williamson, R.L., Robertson, J.S. & Casey, L.B. (2010). Using a dynamic systems approach to investigating postsecondary education and employment outcomes for transitioning students with disabilities. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 33, 101-111. doi: 10.3233/JVR-2010-0519
Presentations
  • Hunter, W., Jasper, A., Williamson, R.L., & Stratton, B. (2014, November). Common Planning Time: Improving Collaboration between Special and General Educators. Paper accepted for presentation at the Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana
  • Hunter, W, & Williamson, R. (2014, September 25). iPods, Apps and Education: Examining Self-Monitoring Strategies for Students with Exceptionalities. Session Presented at the 2014 West Tennessee Special Education Conference, Memphis, TN (Refereed & Accepted)
  • Williamson, R. (2014, September 26). Teaching Them All: Using common technologies to implement universal design for leaning (UDL) in teaching common-core standards both inside and outside inclusive classrooms. Part I- Google Docs / Part II-Cell Phones as Instructional Tools. Session Presented at the 2014 West Tennessee Special Education Conference, Memphis, TN (Refereed & Accepted)
  • Hunter, W., Williamson, R., Casey, L., & Smith, C. (2014, July 17). iPods, apps and EBD: Examining self-monitoring’s effect on writing. Annual Meeting of the Council for Exceptional Children’s Division fo International Special Education and Services, Braga, Portugal (Refereed & Accepted)
  • Williamson, R., Chang, J., Hunter, W., Smith, C., & Casey, L. (2014, July 16). Applying quantitative analysis to special education research. Annual Meeting of the Council for Exceptional Children’s Division fo International Special Education and Services, Braga, Portugal (Refereed & Accepted)
  • Williamson, R., Hunter, W., Casey, L., & Reeves, K. (2014, July 15). iPads and autism: Examining iPad-based AAC on the ability to mand. Annual Meeting of the Council for Exceptional Children’s Division fo International Special Education and Services, Braga, Portugal (Refereed & Accepted)
  • Williamson, R.L. (2014, April 15). Teaching Them All: Using Common Technologies to Implement Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in Teaching Common-Core Standards Both Inside and Outside Inclusive Classrooms. Bettie Graham Special Education Seminar, University of Tennessee at Martin, TN
  • Williamson, R., Hunter, W., Casey, L. & Smith, C. (2014, April 12). It All Depends: Applying Quantitative Analysis to Special Education Research, Annual Convention of the Council for Exceptional Children, Philadelphia, PA (Refereed & Accepted)
  • Hunter, W.H., Williamson, R.L., Smith, C., & Casey, L.P. (2014, April 10). iPods, Apps and Education: Examining Self-Monitoring Strategies for Students with Exceptionalities, Annual Convention of the Council for Exceptional Children, Philadelphia, PA (Refereed & Accepted)
  • Williamson, R., & Casey, L. (2014, April 10). iPads and Autism: Examining iPad-based AAC on the Ability to Mand, Annual Convention of the Council for Exceptional Children, Philadelphia, PA (Refereed & Accepted)
  • Williamson, R.L. (2014, March 20). Differentiating Instruction using Technology. Memphis Teacher Workshop Series, Memphis, TN
  • Hunter, W., Murley, R., & Williamson, R. (2014, February 14). Assessing Numbered Heads Together as a Primary Instructional Strategy within Multi-Tiered Interventions, Tennessee Department of Education State Conference, Nashville, TN (Refereed & Accepted)
  • Williamson, R., & Hunter, W., (2013, December 14). iPods, Apps and Education: Examining Self-monitoring Strategies for Students with Exceptionalities. Annual Meeting of the Tennessee Association on Assistive Technologies, Murfreesboro, TN (Refereed & Accepted)
  • Williamson, R., & Hunter, W., (2013, December 13). The Effective Use of Cell Phones as Assistive Technology in the Classroom. Annual Meeting of the Tennessee Association on Assistive Technologies, Murfreesboro, TN (Refereed & Accepted)
  • Hunter, W., Williamson, R., & Stratton, B. (2013, October 18). Utilizing Middle School Common Planning Time to Support Inclusive Environments, Annual Meeting of the Tennessee Council for Exceptional Children, Nashville, TN (Refereed & Accepted)
  • Hunter, W., Williamson, R., Casey, L., Smith, C., & Perry, C. (2013, October 18). Evaluating the Use of Technology and Self-Management Interventions for Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, Annual Meeting of the Tennessee Council for Exceptional Children, Nashville, TN (Refereed & Accepted)
  • Frame, K., Casey, L., Smith, B., Langford, E., & Williamson, R. (2013, October 17). How Does a Diagnosis of Autism Affect Emergency Room Visits: A pilot study. Annual Meeting of the Tennessee Association for Behavior Analysis, Nashville, TN (Refereed & Accepted)
  • Williamson, R.L. & Whitney, T. (2013, October 16). Teaching Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Memphis Central High School Workshop, Memphis, TN
  • Williamson, R.L. (2013, May 31). Teaching Free Time Routines to Individuals with Severe Disabilities. Annual Staff Training for the Exceptional Foundation of West Tennessee, Memphis, TN
  • Smith, C., Robertson, J., Singleton, J., & Williamson, R. (2013, April 4). Decreasing Time Spent in In-School Suspension Using Function-Based Interventions, Annual Meeting of the Council for Exceptional Children, San Antonio, TX (Refereed & Accepted)
  • Williamson, R., Hunter, W., & Smith, C. (2013, January 25). Autism, iPads and Self- Advocacy: Examining AAC’s effect on the ability to mand. Meeting of the Applied Behavior Analysis Association, Portland, OR (Refereed & Accepted)
  • Williamson, R.L. (2012, November 1). Reshaping challenging behaviors into engaged learning in the inclusive classroom. Teacher Training Series sponsored by the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Memphis, Memphis, TN
  • Williamson, R.L. (2012, July 5). Smart Apps: Demonstrating Technology Connecting People to Automated Mobile Supports. Annual Meeting of Information Technology & Autism Spectrum Disorders, Valencia, Spain (Refereed & Accepted)
  • Williamson, R.L. (2012, October 18). Smart Apps: Demonstrating Technology Connecting People to Automated Mobile Supports. Annual Meeting of the Tennessee Council for Exceptional Children, Nashville, TN (Refereed & Accepted)
  • Williamson, R.L. (2012, October 18). iPods and Apps: Teaching for Successful Transitions using ‘I’ Technologies. Annual Meeting of the Tennessee Council for Exceptional Children, Nashville, TN (Refereed & Accepted)
  • Williamson, R.L. (2011). Harnessing Technology: Using advanced technologies in support of people with disabilities. Solicited speaker at MIDD Dual Diagnosis Conference, Lima, OH
  • Robertson, J., Christensen, J.D., Casey, L.B., Williamson, R.L. & Smith, C. (2011, April 8). What Principals Want to Know About Special Education. Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New Orleans, LA (Refereed & Accepted)
  • Casey, L.B., Robertson, J.S., Williamson, R.L. & Johnson, M.T. (2011, April 10). The Use of Brief Intervention Probes to Determine the Most Effective Tier 2 Reading Fluency Strategy. Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New Orleans, LA (Refereed & Accepted)
  • Robertson, J., Casey, L.B., Reeves, K., Smith, C., & Williamson, R.L. (2011, April 9). Does Alternative Preparation of Special Education Teachers Impact Teacher Retention? Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New Orleans, LA (Refereed & Accepted)
  • Casey, L.B., Williamson, R.L., Zanskas, R., & Reeves, K. (2011, April 10). Symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress in Parents Following a Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New Orleans, LA (Refereed & Accepted)
  • Williamson, R.L. (2011). Behavior Apps. Meeting of the Tennessee STEP. Memphis, TN
  • Williamson, R.L. (2011). Video Modeling using Advanced Technologies. Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Toledo, OH
  • Williamson, R.L. (2010). Supporting successful transition using an endless, dynamic skill development approach. Annual Meeting of the Ohio Rehabilitation Commission, Columbus, OH (Refereed & Accepted)
  • Williamson, R.L. (2010). Dynamic Transition. Annual Meeting of the National Council for Exceptional Children, Nashville, TN (Refereed & Accepted)
  • Williamson, R.L. (2009). Systems Impacts on post-secondary employment and post secondary education outcomes for people with disabilities. Annual Research Conference of Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH (Refereed & Accepted)
  • Williamson, R., Schiro-Geist, C., & Broadbent, E. (2009, September 11). Applying a systems approach to transition from school to work. Annual Meeting of the National Rehabilitation Association, Louisville, KT. (Refereed & Accepted)
  • Robertson, J., Taylor, S.S., & Williamson (2009). How do you know if your lessons are evidence based instruction? Annual Meeting of the National Council for Exceptional Children, Seattle, WA (Refereed & Accepted)
  • Williamson, R.L. (2009, July) Portfolio Development for Children with Autism, Fayette County Schools, Memphis, TN
  • Williamson, R.L. (2009, July) Collaborations between teachers and paraprofessionals for students with autism, Fayette County Schools, Memphis, TN
  • Williamson, R.L., (2009, June). IEP and Transition Plan Development. Presented at the BASE-TN PRAXIS Preparation Seminar, Memphis, TN