Profile

Ying Zhang, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Education (Education)
zhang@rmu.edu
412-397-5918
Wheatley Center 316


Educational Background

  • Ph.D., Language & Literacy, Curriculum & Instruction , Purdue University, 2013
  • Master of Education, Literacy Education, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 2004
  • Bachelor of Arts, English Language Literature & Education, Beijing Normal University, 2002

Professional Background

  • I have been actively engaged with the TESOL field. I was the President of Three Rivers TESOL in 2018-2019 and the TESOL 2022 convention local co-chair.

Area of Expertise/Research

  • I have a background in literacy education with a specific focus on English Language Learners. My research interests include English language development, teacher training, multimodal teaching & learning, educational linguistics, academic language in the content areas, and second language writing.

Publications

  • Zhang, Y. & Chen, X. (2023). Exploring cultural identity and language development through digital storytelling: Tales of culturally-linguistically diverse secondary students. International Journal of Technology in Teaching and Learning, 19(2), 128-140.

  • Chen, X., & Zhang, Y. (2023). Virtual field trips in K-12 classroom teaching: A systematic review. International Journal of Technology in Teaching and Learning, 19(1), 52-68.

  • Chen, X., Zhang, Y., Wu, W., Luo, Y. & Shi, Y. (2022). Exploring assessment approaches of STEM learning in extended reality environments. International Journal of Technology in Teaching and Learning, 18 (2), 120-136.     

  • Zhang, Y. (2021). Preparing teachers to work with English learners: A multimodal vocabulary mini?lesson project. TESOL Journal, 12(2), e569.

  • Zhang, Y. (2021). Virtual reality in ESL teacher training: Practical ideas. International Journal of Technology in Teaching and Learning, 16(1), 3-20.  

  • Zhang, Y. (2017). Supporting English Language Learners in social studies: Language-focused strategies. The Social Studies, 108(5), 204-209. 

  • Zhang, Y. (2016). Multimodal teacher input and science learning in a sheltered ESL classroom. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 53(1), 7-30.

  • Zhang, Y. (2015). Attention to scientific academic language: Teaching science to middle school English Language Learners. Pennsylvania Reads, 14(1), 37-42.

Presentations

  • 2025 - Zhang, Y., & Chen, X. (2025, April.). My Story and my history: Culturally and linguistically diverse students? digital creation journey. Presentation at the AERA 2025 Annual Meeting, Denver, Colorado.
  • 2023 - Zhang, Y., & Chen, X. (2023, Oct.). Teaching linguistically diverse students with virtual field trips. Presentation at the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) annual conference, Orlando.
  • 2023 - Chen, X., Zhang, Y., Luo, Y., Wu, W., & Shi, Y. (2023, Oct.). Interdisciplinary Dialogue on Developing Cultural Responsiveness in Virtual Immersive Learning Environments: Insights from Teacher Educators and STEM Educators. Presentation at the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) annual conference, Orlando.
  • 2023 - Chen, X., & Zhang, Y. (2023, April.). Virtual field trips in K?12 classroom teaching: A systematic review of 10 years of studies. Presentation at the AERA 2023 Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL.
  • 2022 - Chen, X., Luo, Y., Wu, W., Zhang, Y., & Shi, Y. (2022, Oct.). Assessment in virtual immersive learning environments: Interdisciplinary perspectives from teacher educators and STEM educators. Presentation at the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) annual conference, Las Vegas.
  • 2022 - Chen, X. & Zhang, Y. (2022, Oct.). A Systematic review on Virtual Field Trips in K-12 Education: Impacting student learning. Presentation at the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) annual conference, Las Vegas.
  • 2021 - Chen, X., Luo, Y., Wu, w., Zhang, Y. (2021, Oct.) Interdisciplinary Learning Communities on Virtual Immersive Technology: A Dialogue between Teacher Educators and STEM Educators, AECT Annual Conference, Chicago, IL.
  • 2020 - Zhang, Y. (2020, Oct.) Using virtual tours to teach language and culture. Presentation at Three Rivers TESOL Fall Conference, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • 2019 - Zhang, Y. (2019, July.) Training future teachers: A multimodal vocabulary mini-lesson project. Presentation at 2019 Global English Education China Assembly, Hangzhou, China.
  • 2019 - Zhang, Y. (2019, Oct.) Discourse strategies as comprehension tools for English Learners. Presentation at Three Rivers TESOL Fall Conference, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • 2018 - Zhang, Y. (2018, May.) Multimodal discourse: Theory, research, and implications for classroom practices. Presentation at Beijing Language and Culture University.
  • 2018 - Zhang, Y. (2018, Jun.) Reading instruction in content areas: Research, strategies, and applications. Presentation at Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
  • 2018 - Zhang, Y. (2018, Jun.) Advocacy through education: Cultivating Pre-service teachers? cultural humility. Presentation at the 14th annual international conference of the China Association for Intercultural Communication (CAFIC), Jinan, Shandong, China.
  • 2017 - Zhang, Y. (2017, Oct.) Practices that develop excellent teachers: Helping teachers meet the needs of English Learners. Presentation at the PAC-TE annual conference, Harrisburg, PA.
  • 2017 - Zhang, Y. (2017, Oct.) Before-reading strategies for English Language Learners. Presentation at the 2017 Three Rivers TESOL Fall conference, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • 2021 - Chen, X., Luo, Y., Wu, w., Zhang, Y. (2021, Oct.) Interdisciplinary Learning Communities on Virtual Immersive Technology: A Dialogue between Teacher Educators and STEM Educators, AECT Annual Conference, Chicago, IL.
  • 2017 - Zhang, Y. & Ramos, K. (2017, February). Language teacher education for a world on the move: Meeting the needs of diverse student populations. Presentation at the 2017 Language Teacher Education, Los Angeles, CA.
  • 2016 - Zhang, Y., & Ramos, K. Traversing Borders: Building Bridges to Disciplinary Literacy Practices through Genre Pedagogy. Presentation at the annual TESL convention, Baltimore, Maryland.
  • 2016 - Zhang, Y. Developing Literacy Skills in Science: An Ethnographic Study. Presentation at the annual TESL convention, Baltimore, Maryland.
  • 2015 - Zhang, Y. Vocabulary strategies with English Language Learners. Presentation at the annual meeting of Three Rivers TESOL, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • 2014 - Zhang, Y. Using a genre-based approach for teaching writing. Presentation at the annual meeting of Keystone Reading Association, Pennsylvania State University, PA.
  • 2014 - Zhang, Y. Building literacy in science: Lessons learned from a sheltered middle school classroom. Presentation at the annual meeting of Three Rivers TESOL, Pittsburgh, PA
  • 2014 - Zhang, Y. Multimodal teacher input and science learning for middle school ELs. Presentation at the annual meeting of TESOL, Portland, Oregon.
  • 2013 - Zhang, Y. Helping ELLs develop vocabulary in secondary content areas. Presentation at the annual meeting of Three Rivers TESOL, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • 2010 - Zhang, Y. Multimodal analysis of ELLs? science experiences. Presentation at the annual meeting of Indiana Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (INTESOL), Indianapolis, IN.
  • 2009 - Zhang, Y. Using visual images with ELLs in science classrooms: Problems and Strategies. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of Indiana Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (INTESOL), Indianapolis, IN.
  • 2008 - Zhang, Y. Words with worlds: Genre-based writing pedagogy. Presentation at the annual meeting of Indiana Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (INTESOL), Carmel, IN.
  • 2007 - Zhang, Y. Dissecting a social studies text: Using functional linguistics to understand content. Presentation at the annual meeting of Indiana Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (INTESOL), Carmel, IN.
  • 2004 - Zhang, Y. The power of poetry: Teaching poetry in elementary schools. Presentation at the annual meeting of Pennsylvania State Reading Association, Springfield, PA.
  • 2004 - Creany, A., & Zhang, Y. Removing the mask: Examining Asian children?s literature for accurate, authentic reflection of culture. Presentation at the annual conference of National Association for Multicultural Education, Kansas City, MO.
  • 2003 - Zhang, Y. Motivation in second language learning: Maslow?s theory in Beijing Concord College of Sino-Canada. Presentation at the first annual conference of English Education in China, Guangzhou, China.