CyGaMEs Team
CyGaMEs’ Principal Investigator Debbie Denise Reese, Ph.D
Can video games help people learn better? Can video games measure learning and how people feel when they learn? Dr. Debbie Denise Reese’s research focuses around these two important questions. In order to discover the answers, Dr. Reese has become a metaphorist specializing in interactive digital learning systems. Serving as the nexus for design, development, implementation, and analytics, Reese produces embodied learning systems as digital games that translate what targeted knowledge experts think into procedural transactions that learners do. Reese served as the embodied learning systems expert for the SAGE Encyclopedia of Educational Technology. Read More CV/Resume
The Selene II CyGaMEs Team: Staff, Contractors, Partners, Collaborators, and Funders
National Science Foundation – Funder, CyGaMEs is funded by NSF Award No.DRL-0814512
CyGaMEs’ Senior Application Developer Robert E. Kosko
Robert Kosko, the Senior Application Developer at the Center for Educational Technologies, is essential to the functionality of Selene: A Lunar Construction GaME and responsible for maintaining the game to its high standards. Kosko’s work for Selene has been vital to strengthen and expand the game. He revised the Flash Selene game to run independent phases to allow Selene to be submitted to the 2012 NSF International Science & Engineering Visualization Challenge where Selene was awarded an Honorary Mention for Games & Applications. See http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/scivis/winners_2012.jsp.
Read More CV/Resume
Charles A. Wood, Ph.D. – Lunar Scientist, CoPI
Charles A. Wood is a planetary scientist who specializes in the geologic processes and history of the rocky and icy worlds of our solar system. He has published peer-reviewed research about Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, asteroids, meteorites, comets, and Titan, but his longest area of expertise concerns the Moon.
Read More CVBarbara G. Tabachnick, Ph.D. – Project Statistician, Consultant
Dr. Barbara Tabachnick, who has served as a consultant throughout the development of the CyGaMEs project at the Center for Educational Technologies, recently received the lifetime achievement award from the Western Psychological Association.
Read MoreAndrew Harrison – CyGaMEs Database and Middleware Designer
Andrew Harrison is a web application developer with degree(s) in Computer Science and Software Application Programming. He's a web focused developer. Whether it's static, dynamic database driven, or mobile, most of his work is delivered via the web. He enjoys creating fonts, learning new skills, and working on open source projects. Portfolio: http://andrew.harrison.nu/
Ben Hitt, Ph.D. – Analytics Consultant, CoPI
http://serenityhill.info/
Ben is a nationally recognized expert in data mining and pattern recognition solutions. He is the inventor and patent holder of numerous algorithms and computer programs. His works include inventions for analyzing disparate data streams, near real-time analysis of audio and text information streams, applications for the detection of credit card fraud, and optimization solutions for direct marketing problems.
Read MoreLisa McFarland – Implementation Coordinator
Lisa worked on Selene Classic and Selene II.
Cassie Lightfritz – Graphics Designer
Ron Magers – Manager, Computer Support Services, Wheeling Jesuit University
Ron Magers, manager of Computer Support Services at Wheeling Jesuit University (WJU) and the Center for Educational Technologies (CET), is the quintessential “man behind the curtain.” Magers boasts over 25 years of experience in the technology field, along with expertise in Windows XP/2000/7/8, Windows Server 2000/2003/2008/2012, Exchange, and SQL. These credentials, along with his Microsoft Certifications (MCSE, MCP. MCP+I, MCT) make him an indispensable resource for any technological needs of the project. As the server administrator he is responsible for keeping Selene and all its intricate components running—from our research database to the game itself. He also ensures that all budgeting and procurement of hardware and software follows federal guidelines and runs in paramount condition. Magers has gained his high technical skills including web programming, computer diagnosis/repair, and knowledge of maintenance, backup, anti-virus, and utility software through his work in the private sector in the Wheeling, WV area. He received his Bachelor of Science Business Administration with specialization in Computer Information Systems from West Liberty University and went on to earn a MBA at Wheeling Jesuit University. Magers has also led an entire team of technical and programming personnel for a NASA cooperative agreement and taught at WJU as an adjunct professor.
CV/Resume
Doug Moore – Implementation Coordinator
Faith Rinklin – Research Assistant, Editor, Copy Writer
A
2014 graduate of Wheeling Jesuit University with a B.A. in English and minor in
Psychology (Cum laude), Faith came to the Selene
project as an implementation coordinator, conducting one-on-one orientations
explaining how to use our Recruiter Gateway Console and communicate our
project’s federal guidelines. She is also responsible for writing, editing, and
updating our Recruiter Coordinator Handbook, which is the project’s primary resource
for educators and parents. With her love of all things composition, she started
to provide other basic editing and proofing for the website, including writing
news stories and research citations. In addition, she tests the videogame
itself in in the production, development, and live versions. During college,
she was inducted into Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit honor society, and Sigma Tau
Delta, the international English honor society, serving as President of
W.J.U.’s chapter. She volunteered with the H.E.S.S. program, which mentors
at-risk youth from grades six to eight.
CV/Resume
CyGaMEs’ Spanish Selene Translator Nieves Leticia Martín Hernández, Ph.D
Dr. Martín Hernández is a professional astronomer. She completed her Astrophysics Ph.D. thesis in Groningen, The Netherlands. Afterward, she worked two years at the Observatory of Geneva (Switzerland) before moving back to the Canary Islands, where she was raised. Since returning, she’s been a researcher at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias. From her start as an astronomer, she has studied how the most massive stars in our galaxy and in other galaxies are born. She currently works as a technical and scientific translator and also has expertise in translating web sites and software products, such as Selene. In addition to her impressive list of research related publications, Martín Hernández has won literary awards and published a collection of short stories, La ecología de las arañas. See her website: http://lematraducciones.com/ CV/Resume
Steven Nowak CyGaMEs – Student Programmer
Steven Nowak is a developer and graduate of Wheeling Jesuit
University with a B.S. in Computer Science. Initially, he joined the CyGaMEs team
for quality assurance testing of the educational game, Selene. During the testing, he gained a reputation for breaking
things, either breaking a fix to a problem in the game or finding something new
that was wrong with the game. The move from solely quality assurance testing to
quality assurance testing along with development work as well came when he
developed a fix to a problem vexing state saving for player navigation. His
biggest development project for CyGaMEs was a redesign of the user portal for
the Selene game used by recruiters
and administrators using ASP.NET. Near the end of his time with CyGaMEs, he was
also given the responsibility of managing the quality assurance team and
testing.
Outside of CyGaMEs, Steven was also chosen as one of eight
student developers in the whole United States to be part of a group at
Microsoft called the “Microsoft Student Insiders.” As part of this, he wrote
articles on Microsoft’s latest operating system offerings geared toward
students and student developers. He also wrote apps for those platforms, the
most satisfying one being a media player for Windows Phone. He occasionally
traveled to various conferences and events with Microsoft and was even chosen
to be Microsoft’s representative at the Global Game Jam (2011) in Pittsburgh,
PA.
Steven continues to develop for Windows Phone and Windows 8
in his spare time. When not programming, he likes to write articles on his blog
as the “Catholic Tech Geek.” He also composes music, plays the saxophone, and
sings (tenor).
Blog: http://www.catholictechgeek.com/
Matthew Petrole – Student Researcher & Technology Assistant
CyGaMEs External Evaluator Dr. Victor Hernandez-Gantes
Serving as an external evaluator for CyGaMEs’ Selene fits in perfectly with Dr. Victor Hernandez-Gantes’s extensive research interests. He says, “My research interests focus on the interface involving the design, implementation, and evaluation of educational strategies grounded in education-and-work contexts as a means to maximize career-oriented learning for all students.” Dr. Hernandez-Gantes’s evaluation began with National Science Foundation funding of the CyGaMEs project in in 2008. His evaluation will continue through the final 2014 project year. Read More CV
Larry V. Hedges, Ph.D. – Partner, Learning Moment Research Strand, NSF ARC
Larry Hedges, a national leader in the fields of educational statistics and evaluation, has joined the CyGaMEs project at the Center for Educational Technologies® as a project partner. Read More
Eric Hedberg, Ph.D. – CyGaMEs Affect (flow theory: subjective perceptions of game play experience), Learning, and Flowometer research strand consultant through NSF ARC within NORC.
Hedberg is currently assistant professor at Arizona State University.
James Pustejovsky, Ph.D. – Learning Moment Research Strand Researcher, NSF ARC
Ralph Seward - Data Analyst and Post Processor
Ralph worked on Selene Classic and Selene II.
CyGaMEs’ Editor Janis Worklan
Janis Worklan is a veteran editor and writer who has worked on the Selene project from the beginning as well as on Debbie Denise Reese’s precursor research in metaphor-enhanced learning. His efforts have focused on ensuring that Selene’s content, communications, and marketing materials meet the highest standards possible. He has worked more 30 years in communications positions, ranging from newspaper editorial posts, to senior editorial and project management responsibilities for an international human resources consultant, to his current position as an editor in the marketing department of a large health insurance provider. He has been honored with a number of awards for both his writing and editing. CV/Resume
Keri Brown – National Public Radio Producer and Reporter
As Western Panhandle Bureau Chief for West Virginia Public Broadcasting, Ms. Brown produced and reported Radio and Television features covering CyGaMEs:
Read MoreDr. Carlos A. Álvarez Iglesias, Ph.D. – Partner, Education and Public Outreach
Support Astronomer, GRANTECAN, S.A. Centro Común de Astrofísica de La Palma (CALP)
Roque de los Muchachos Observatory and Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias – Education and Public Outreach.
Best Moon Builders CVRoque de los Muchachos Observatory and Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias – Education and Public Outreach
National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE), Partner, Spanish Selene
The National Association for Bilingual Education is the only national professional organization devoted to representing bilingual learners and bilingual education professionals. They work as advocates to influence and create policies, programs, research, pedagogy and professional development to promote what's in the best interest of a diverse-multilingual-multicultural society. http://www.nabe.org/
Santiago V. Wood, Ed.D. – Partner, Executive Director, NABE
Dual language Selene is released in partnership with the National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE). Dr. Santiago Wood executive director of the organization wrote, “The Executive Board of the National Association for Bilingual Education fully supports our partnership with the CyGaMEs project. NABE is very excited and feels honored to form a very promising relationship with CyGaMEs and the Selene project that we believe will be very beneficial for our bilingual and English learners and will serve as another effective tool in the hands of our teachers toward sustainable academic achievement in STEM. I look forward to working with you toward a very successful, lasting, and mutually beneficial partnership for both institutions.” The National Association for Bilingual Education is the only national professional organization devoted to representing bilingual learners and bilingual education professionals. They work as advocates to influence and create policies, programs, research, pedagogy and professional development to promote what's in the best interest of a diverse-multilingual-multicultural society.
Virginia Diehl, Ph.D. – Research Partner, Western Illinois University
Christopher Hoadley, Ph.D. – CyGaMEs Advisory Board.
(term: 2009 - 2013)
National Science Foundation Program Director and Associate Professor, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development within New York University where he is Co-Director, Digital Media Design for Learning and Educational Communication and Technology.
Dedre Gentner, Ph.D. – CyGaMEs Advisory Board.
Northwestern University Director of the Cognitive Science Program, Alice Gabrielle Twight Professor in the Department of Psychology, and Professor within the School of Education and Social Policy.
Paul Horwitz, Ph.D. – CyGaMEs Advisory Board.
Concord Consortium Senior Scientist.
George Thiruvathukal, Ph.D. – CyGaMEs Advisory Board.
Professor of computer science, Loyola University, Chicago.
Stacy Keller – Video Producer
NASA Education EdLine News Story: CyGaMEs Selene and MoonWorldhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORnc39PpACAThis story was produced in October, 2010 by Stacy Keller, reporter Keri Brown, for NASA Education's EdLine News.
Read MoreJunior Research Advisory Council (JRAC) – Student volunteers
Many thanks to our JRAC volunteers who worked on the game and assessments. JRACs playtesters and research advisors include Stafford, Matt, Eric, Gabrielle, James, Ethan, Austin, and Tommy.
Margie Cooke – Contract Administrator, Sponsored Programs, Wheeling Jesuit University
Margie Cooke is the Contract Administrator for Sponsored Programs and "pays the bills". She has been employed at Wheeling Jesuit University for 25 years, has participated in many of the projects with the CET, and assists with overseeing the budgets.
CV/ResumeTheresa Parsons - Manager of Finance: Sponsored Programs
Parsons performs processional accounting work related to the collection, analysis, and reporting of data. This includes: budget monitoring, preparation of ledgers, trial balances, financial statements, posting journals, service center maintenance and pool creation, and maintenance and set up of the accounting system as well as accounting policies and procedure. She manages procurement activities for compliance and reasonableness, manages contract activities for compliance, performs all billing functions to the appropriate agencies and/or organizations, prepares monthly financial statements associated with the Office of Sponsored Programs, assists in the capturing of accurate time and effort reporting to properly post the various project ledgers, provides assistance with the annual audit process, reconciles various subsidiary/project ledgers to general ledger, assists in the monitoring of the various projects associated with sponsored programs, posts cash receipts, prepares journal entries, calculates and posts revenue and is responsible for the reporting and coordination of financial information with the respective agencies as required per project requirements, and supervises all financial transactions and staff related to sponsored program administration.
Beverly Carter – CoPI, Computer Engineering
Second Avenue Software – Contractor, game development
The Selene Classic CyGaMEs Team: Staff, Contractors, Partners, Collaborators, and Funders
Funding: NASA Technology and Products Office - Shelley Canright, Ph.D., Program Officer and Tammy Rowan, Project Manager (CyGaMEs and Selene are based in part upon work supported by NASA under awards No. NCC5-451, No. NNX06AB09G-Basic, No. NNX06AB09G-Supplement #1, No. NNX06AB09G-Supplement #2, No. NNX08AJ71A-Basic and No. NAG-13782 awarded to the NASA-sponsored Classroom of the Future.)
Andrew Harrison – CyGaMEs Database and Middleware Designer
Andrew has worked on Selene Classic as well as Selene II, please see full bio above.
Charles A. Wood, Ph.D. – Lunar Scientist, CoPI
Chuck has worked on Selene Classic as well as Selene II, please see full bio above.
Ian Bogost – Game concept and Georgia Tech Team Lead
Dr. Ian Bogost is an award-winning author and game designer. He is Ivan Allen College Distinguished Chair in Media Studies and Professor of Interactive Computing at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he also holds an appointment in the Scheller College of Business. Bogost is Founding Partner at Persuasive Games LLC, an independent game studio, and a Contributing Editor at The Atlantic.
Will Hankinsin - Accretion game design and development, Solar System Accretion and Differentiation modules, Georgia Tech
Currently Studio Head at Dragon Army.
Introducing Will Hankinson as Dragon Army’s studio head
Matt Gilbert – Surface Features game design and development, Georgia Tech
James Oliverio, Ph.D. – Composer: Selene Theme, sound effects, ambient sound.
Dr. James Oliverio is the Executive Director of the Digital Worlds Institute at the University of Florida, with full professorships in Digital Arts & Sciences and in Music. See more [http://selene.cet.edu/default.aspx?page=news&id=73]
Ben Hitt, Ph.D. – Analytics Consultant, CoPI
http://serenityhill.info/
Ben has worked on Selene Classic as well as Selene II, please see full bio above.
Lisa McFarland – Implementation Coordinator
Lisa has worked on Selene Classic as well as Selene II, please see full bio above.
Don Watson - Video Producer
Ralph Seward - Data Analyst and Post Processor
Ralph has worked on Selene Classic as well as Selene II, please see full bio above.
Storm Conaway – Developed the external assessments
Two recent computer science graduates who worked on the Selene videogame research funded by NASA at the Center for Educational Technologies® placed in a regional undergraduate research conference.
Read MoreMike Phillips – Developed the external assessments
Two recent computer science graduates who worked on the Selene videogame research funded by NASA at the Center for Educational Technologies® placed in a regional undergraduate research conference.
Read MoreJustin Erfort – Student Research Assistant
Currently Product Operations Specialist at Google.
Barbara G. Tabachnick, Ph.D. – Project Statistician, Consultant
Barbara has worked on Selene Classic as well as Selene II, please see full bio above.
Margie Cooke – Contract Administrator, Sponsored Programs, Wheeling Jesuit University
Margie has worked on Selene Classic as well as Selene II, please see full bio above.
Catherine Smith, Manager of Finance, Sponsored Programs, Wheeling Jesuit University