Microlearning in the K-12 Classroom: Short Bursts of Instruction for Breakthrough Understanding

Douglas Fisher, Ph.D., is aprominent author and educator who serves as a Professor of Educational Leadership at San Diego State University and a teacher leader at Health Sciences High & Middle Collegein San Diego, which he co-founded.

He is widely published in the field of education, focusing on topics such as literacy, differentiated instruction, and curriculum design.

Career & Expertise

Dr. Fisher holds a bachelor's degree in communication, a master's degree in public health education, an executive master's degree in business, and a doctoral degree in multicultural education. In addition to his role as a Professor and department chair at San Diego State University, he remains active as a classroom teacher. His work focuses on areas such as improving student learning, professional learning communities, reading, and literacy. Dr. Fisher has received several awards for his contributions, including induction into the Reading Hall of Fame in 2022.

Fisher is a prolific co-author, often with Nancy Frey. His books cover topics like formative assessment, structured teaching, reading, professional learning communities, equity, and assessment-capable learners.

Nancy Frey is a professor of literacy in the School of Teacher Education at San Diego State University. Through the university’s teacher-credentialing and reading specialist programs, she teaches courses on elementary and secondary reading instruction and literacy in content areas, classroom management, and supporting students with diverse learning needs.

Frey also teaches classes at Health Sciences High and Middle College in San Diego. She is a board member of the California Reading Association and a credentialed special educator and reading specialist in California.

Before joining the university faculty, Frey was a public school teacher in Florida. She worked at the state level for the Florida Inclusion Network helping districts design systems for supporting students with disabilities in general education classrooms.

She is the recipient of the 2008 Early Career Achievement Award from the National Reading Conference and the Christa McAuliffe Award for excellence in teacher education from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. She was co-recipient of the Farmer Award for excellence in writing from the National Council of Teachers of English for the article "Using Graphic Novels, Anime, and the Internet in an Urban High School". She is a member of the International Literacy Association’s Literacy Research Panel and is a popular speaker at national literacy conferences where she leads professional development workshops.