I’m a former elementary school teacher and a soon-to-be graduate of the Digital Media Design for Learning master's program at NYU Steinhardt. I also work as a researcher at The Center for Children & Technology and lead an interdisciplinary human-centered design team working toward the creation of educational programming and game-based learning opportunities aboard the S.S. Columbia.
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When I tell people about my current program of study, I’m often asked to clarify what is meant by the phrase “digital media design for learning.” For me it means envisioning and creating research-based, technology-enhanced learning environments that will be meaningful, fun, and practical for the students and teachers of today and tomorrow. As a public school teacher over the past eight years, I’ve watched opportunities for educational play and creative exploration slowly diminish, leaving me with the desire to cultivate a sense of joy (even more so than grit or accountability) through my work. At the same time, I possess a keen awareness of the real-world constraints characterizing modern classrooms, and this practical knowledge also informs my design process.
Bottom line? I want to be involved in the development of learning environments and tools that challenge the status quo, but which can be realistically implemented and enjoyed in the here-and-now, by the many students, teachers, and families who stand to benefit from them.
Finally, I'd like to thank all the wonderful people who helped make this project a reality, whether that meant providing me with resources, services, guidance, or a much-needed pep-talk. Ralph Vacca, thank you for your patience, wisdom, and enthusiasm as my thesis advisor. Ricki Goldman, thank you for your insight, guidance, and interest in my work. Grant Henry, thank you for your mad video and graphic design skills on my my gorgeous poster, and for keeping me (somewhat) sane. And Debbie Osbourne, thank you for helping me facilitate my user research with kids in the After School Program and for just being an all around helpful and awesome person.