Ryan Tainsh
Professor College of Arts & Sciences Department of Biological and Physical Sciences Providence
Biography
Ryan Tainsh’s current scientific scholarship interests include plant nutrient uses and the process of plant nutrient resorption, especially in salt marsh habitats. He also has a professional interest in the field of teaching and learning, specifically self-directed learning, adult education, online learning and the impact of teaching strategies on science education.
Currently, Tainsh teaches both the coastal ecology and seminar courses in the Biology major. He also teaches a variety of non-major courses, online courses and courses in the sustainability minor. In all his courses, Tainsh deeply enjoys engaging with students in an active and collaborative manner to help them develop as learners and scholars.
Education
EdD, University of the Cumberlands
Educational Leadership
MS, University of Rhode Island
Biological Sciences
BS, University of Rhode Island
Marine Biology
Microcredential – ‘Teaching with AI’
EduCause
CITI Certification
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative
CITI Certification
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative
JWU Athletics Gamechanger Award – Baseball (Sam Schoenberg)
JWU Athletics Department
JWU Athletics Gamechanger Award – Softball (Amanda Madigan)
JWU Athletics Department
JWU Athletics Gamechanger Award – Softball (Madi Wong)
JWU Athletics Department
JWU Athletics Gamechanger Award
JWU Athletics Department – Softball
Teacher of the Year
Johnson & Wales University
Teacher of the Year: School of Arts and Sciences
JWU School of Arts and Sciences
Adult Higher Education Alliance
Association of College and University Biology Educators
Adult Higher Education Alliance
Association of College and University Biology Educators
Association of College and University Biology Educators
International Society for Self-Directed Learning
Association of College and University Biology Educators
Masschusetts Association of Biology Teachers
National Association of Biology Teachers
National Science Teachers Association
Tainsh, R. (2023). The Impact of Self-Directedness on the Academic Success and Persistence of Postsecondary Online Learners. (Journal Article).
International Journal of Research in Education and Science9, 9(1), 92-108.
Tainsh, R. (2016). Thoughtfully designed online courses as effective adult learning tools. (Journal Article).
Journal of Adult Education, 45(1), 7-9.
https://nbcc.org/Assets/COVID/ThoughtfullyDesignedOnlineCoursesasEffectiveAdultLearningTools.pdf
Dimos, C. & Tainsh, R. (December 20, 2016). Scientific Literacy – Primary Research Article vs. Lay Press Secondary Article. (Instructional Material).
Life Science Teaching Resource Community.
https://www.lifescitrc.org/resource.cfm?submissionID=11040
Tainsh, R. (March 1, 2015). The Botany of Desire: The Missing Chapter. (Instructional Material).
Life Science Teaching Resource Community.
Killingbeck, K. & Tainsh, R. Does leaf size influence resorption of nutrients from senescing leaves?. (Journal Article).
Northeastern Naturalist, 9(2), 213-220.
50th Annual AHEA Conference, “REAL Learning in Action: Integration of Course-based Undergraduate Research and Workforce Readiness Across a Biology Curriculum,” Adult Higher Education Alliance (AHEA), Tampa, FL, United States. (March 19, 2026).
49th Annual AHEA Conference & 38th Annual ISSDL Conference (joint conference), “The Self-Directedness and Grit Characteristics of College-Level Biology Students,” Adult Higher Education Alliance (AHEA), Tampa, FL, United States. (March 13, 2025).
2024 Sunshine State Teaching and Learning Conference, “Considering Learner Self-Directedness and Grit in Higher Education STEM Learners: Preliminary Findings,” University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States. (March 18, 2024).
47th Annual Adult Higher Education Alliance (AHEA) Workforce Development: Micro-credentials, Badges, & CEUs, “Leveraging Andragogical Principles in the Development of Two Major-Level STEM Courses,” Adult Higher Education Alliance (AHEA), Tampa, FL, United States. (March 17, 2023).
Sunshine State Teaching and Learning Conference, “Learner Self-Directedness: Implications for Two College-Level STEM Programs,” Faculty Center at University of Central Florida, Daytona, FL, United States. (January 29, 2020).
33rd International Self-Directed Learning Symposium, “The Self-Directed Learning Characteristics of College-Level Biology and Health Science Students,” International Society for Self-Directed Learning, Cocoa Beach, FL, United States. (February 7, 2019).
Adult Higher Education Alliance Annual Conference – Giving Voice to Adult Learning, “Thoughtfully Designed Online Courses as Effective Adult Learning Tools,” Adult Higher Education Alliance (AHEA), Orlando, FL, United States. (March 9, 2017).
USG Annual Teaching and Learning Conference – Best Practices for Promoting Engagement and Student Learning, “Student Perceptions of Critical Thinking Writing Assignments in Non-Major Science Courses,” University System of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States. (April 13, 2016).