Powerful Ideas for Global Learning and Leadership in the 21st Century

IDIT HAREL CAPERTON: FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT

Dr. Idit Harel Caperton is a pioneer in using new-media technology for creative learning, innovation, and globalization through constructionist learning theory. She founded the World Wide Workshop in 2004 to leverage her unique blend of award-winning research, business acumen, and leadership in spreading innovative new-media learning projects for benefiting kids and youth around the world. Most recently, the Workshop launched Globaloria to invent ways of using social networking and Web 2.0 tools to teach computing and game-making in schools worldwide. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Dr. Harel Caperton conducted breakthrough research at the MIT Media Lab that led to publishing the book Constructionism with Seymour Papert. Her book Children Designers received the 1991 Outstanding Book Award by the American Education Research Association (AERA). In 1995, she founded MaMaMedia and launched MaMaMedia.com, ConnectedFamily.com, and Papert.org. Pioneering kids Internet media, MaMaMedia established global distribution and advertising partnerships, and won numerous honors, including: the Computerworld-Smithsonian Award (1999), the Internet industry's coveted Global Information Infrastructure Award (1999), and the 21st-Century Achievement Award from the Computerworld Honors Program (2002). In 2002, she was honored by the Network of Educators in Science and Technology and MIT "for devotion, innovation, and imagination in science and technology on behalf of children and youth around the world." Selected MaMaMedia activities were recently re-programmed for OLPC and are being used worldwide by thousands of kids in developing nations. Most recently, Idit was named the 2010 Recipient of the Jessie McCanse Award for Individual Contribution to Media Literacy by the National Telemedia Council. She is a published author and speaker worldwide, and serves on Advisory Boards and Committees at the MIT Media Lab, Harvard Graduate School of Education, CUNY Macaulay Honors College, CU-ATLAS Institute, PBSKids Next Generation Media, MEET in Israel, TIG in Canada, and Saybot.com in Shanghai. Idit holds degrees from Tel Aviv University (BA, 1982), Harvard University (HGSE EdM 1984; CAS 1985), and MIT Media Lab (PhD, 1988). Print Resume

SHANNON SULLIVAN: VICE PRESIDENT, PROGRAMS AND PRODUCTION

Shannon Sullivan directs and produces all of the World Wide Workshop’s learning programs, defines the content offerings, curriculum and learning materials, sets the editorial tone, and leads the technical production teams. In 2006, she launched the Globaloria platform with a unique online/classroom hybrid game-making course where students learn to create educational web-games using a social network for learning. For 15 years, Shannon has been a director, producer, writer, and editor of innovative multimedia programs that entertain, educate and inspire action. She has worked for MTV, MaMaMedia, Knowledge Adventure, and Davidson and Associates. Her body of work includes online communities, websites, video games, creativity tools, interactive learning programs, broadband video shows, CD-ROMs, mobile phone applications, print products, and museum exhibits. She holds a MEd in Instructional Technology from the University of Virginia, and a BA in Journalism and History from the University of Southern California.

AMBER OLIVER: VICE PRESIDENT OF PARTNERSHIPS AND OPERATIONS

As Vice President of Partnerships and Operations, Amber is responsible for identifying and managing partnerships with states, districts, schools, youth service associations, business and government. She focuses on scaling up with excellence the deployment of Globaloria Networks, both within and between states, to nurture a vibrant and sustainable social learning network. Prior to joining the World Wide Workshop in 2006, Amber managed UNICEF's interactive youth portal, Voices of Youth, which she grew to 3 million members in four languages. During her 15+ year career in international development, she also worked for the United Nations Secretariat, The World Bank, and for organizations in Bangladesh, India, Senegal and other developing nations. She holds a master's degree in International Affairs from Columbia University and a BA from Brown University.

CODY SMEDSRUD: SENIOR DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND IT

As Senior Director of Technology Development and IT, Cody leads and manages technology platforms and strategies for long term growth. Cody is a former Teach for America Corps member with a strong interest in education reform. After completing his TFA commitment he spent three years as the Educational Technology Associate at a fast growing NYC-based charter school management organization. During his time there the organization grew from one school to seven and integrated a host of new technologies. Cody is an avid onlooker for cutting-edge technologies that can improve educational outcomes for students. He holds an MS in Childhood Education from Pace University, and BS in Political Science from Marquette University.

DEBORAH SUPER: DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS AND OPERATIONS

As Director of Partnerships and Operations, Deborah Super is in charge of program quality and operational success of Globaloria implementations in all states. Deb has been an educator for over 35 years, teaching English at elementary, middle, high school, and college levels. She was one of the first teachers of the gifted in West Virginia, establishing a model program. During her years as a yearbook adviser, her staffs' publications won numerous national awards. Since 2003, she has served as Work-Based Learning/Academic Coordinator for Randolph County Schools in Elkins, WV. Under her leadership, the system's senior project process has earned recognition as an Outstanding Practice by both SREB High Schools That Work, and National Career Pathways Network. She holds a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from West Virginia University, M.A. in Gifted Education from Marshall University, and BA in Secondary Education/English and Special Ed from WVU.

DENISE STALNAKER: DIRECTOR OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

As the Director of Professional Development, Denise is in charge of training teachers, principals, mentors and interns. Denise participated in the launch of the Globaloria pilot in West Virginia in 2007 as a high-school educator at Randolph Technical Center in Elkins. By her second year, Denise became a mentor to other educators, and lead training sessions in professional development academies. As the Globaloria pilot scaled, Denise's aptitude for learning through teaching was an inspiration, and made her an exemplary Globaloria educator. Denise works closely with Shannon Sullivan on all planning and running professional development programs across the nation.

SHUBHA TULJAPURKAR, DIRECTOR OF GLOBALORIA IN SILICON VALLEY

Shubha Tuljapurkar is the Director of Globaloria in Silicon Valley, responsible for managing and expanding Globaloria participation in schools and community centers and ensuring the ongoing excellence of the Network. She joins us from the Silicon Valley Education Foundation where she was a Civic Ventures Encore Fellow responsible for marketing. She brings business insights from over 30 years of management experience in the technology industry. Shubha was Vice President and General Manager of the Personal Computer chipset division at LSI Logic, and of Video products at Silicon Magic. She has led marketing of numerous technology products at established companies such as Intel and at successful start ups including Vitelic and Telairity. Shubha holds a Masters Degree in Physics from the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai and an MBA from Boston University.

MARIA GODOY: PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATOR

As a Programs Administrator, Maria Godoy is in charge of establishing new partnerships with schools and managing Globaloria programs and quality of operations throughout the United States. During the past 5 years Maria has been Assistant Director of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) at the College Board. Prior to that, Maria was an elementary and high school teacher, as well as a graduate school professor in Cognitive Psychology and Human Development. She has also been the Director of Mental Health Services in high schools in Caracas, where she designed and managed programs for adolescents with behavioral problems. Maria received an EdM and EdD degrees from Harvard University Graduate School of Education.

JON HUNTER: WEB, WIKI, AND DATABASE DEVELOPER

As Developer Jon works closely with the Director of Technology and the technology team. He is responsible for all Globaloria platform enhancements for both the front and back end to ensure a positive and productive learning experience. Before joining the Workshop, Jon worked for over two years as a developer at Sapient. One of his projects was for the National Institute of Health. Among other things, he helped shape the development of the National Database for Autism Research, a data repository for scientific data aggregating 25,000 research participants. The portal is used by researchers across the country. Jon holds a BA in Computer Science from Oberlin College.

IBA DAWSON: PROJECT MANAGER

As Project Manager, Iba is responsible for managing the production and programming initiatives for the World Wide Workshop. Iba has spent seven years in the area of eLearning and Instructional Design for organizations such as Saks Fifth Avenue and The New York Times. She also holds a degree in Engineering Science from the University of Virginia. In joining the Workshop team, Iba is really excited about combining two of her passions - education and technology - to create transformative learning experiences for middle and high schoolers.

KARA BURRITT: PROGRAMS AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

As the Workshop's Programs and Communications Manager, Kara is responsible for managing the Globeys and Leadership Inspiration Awards, research and assessment in collaboration with our network of research partners, and communications and media efforts. She has worked in higher education administration at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. as well as digital publishing with PBS's parenting website PBSParents.com and Meredith Corporation's Parents.com, and in all roles she has leveraged the advantages technology offers in learning, communicating, and community building. While earning her master's degree in Communications, Culture, and Technology at Georgetown University, Kara published a thesis on the impact of e-books on reading culture. In joining the World Wide Workshop team, Kara is excited to share with students and education-change leaders the potential of digital media to enhance everyone's everyday education, cognition, and communication.

LAURA MINNIGERODE: PROGRAMS MANAGER

As a Globaloria Research Manager, Laura Minnigerode is responsible for evaluating the implementation of Globaloria at East Austin College Prep (EAPrep) a new charter school in Austin Texas where Globaloria is integrated into the daily core curriculum. Laura is an experienced educational researcher who began her career working with research departments at Children's Television Workshop and WGBH. During 1992-96, Laura worked as a founding researcher for the Living Books series, as well as other early learning software products. She has been a classroom teacher, leading writing workshop classes with middle grade students. Before joining the World Wide Workshop, Laura was a School Reform Specialist in the Houston Independent School District as part of the Houston Annenberg Challenge, focused on professional development for technology integration and project based learning. From 1995-2009, with Barbara Flagg’s Multimedia Research Group, Laura was an evaluator of more than 40 educational media projects for organizations such as WGBH and WNET. She has a BA in Telecommunication from Indiana University in Bloomington, California teaching credentials in multiple subject areas, and a Master’s in Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education.

YVONNE MARTINEZ: ASSOCIATE PRODUCER

As Associate Producer, Yvonne is responsible for managing curriculum development, creative direction of digital and print material, and coordinating monthly webinars for educators. She also assists with on-demand help in Flash for students and educators across the Globaloria network. Yvonne lives in Brooklyn and is a graduate of Bard College, where she studied Studio Arts. Her interest in sculpture and digital media makes the structural and artistic capacities of programming languages like Flash a natural outlet for her skills and interests.

JONATHAN HODRICK: GAME DESIGN SUPPORT SPECIALIST

As a Game Design Support Specialist, Jonathan works alongside the Director of Technology and the Technology team. He assists students with their adventures through the Globaloria curriculum by leading them through tight spots and showing them how to make rogue problems disappear. Jonathan received his BSE in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, devoting his studies to the development of technology to facilitate learning. He is an avid gamer, with his favorite genres being fighting games, role playing games, and adventure games. After living in Philadelphia for five-years, Jonathan is excited to return to his hometown of New York City and experience the hum of the subways as well as the sights of the city and familiar faces. As a part of the Workshop team, Jonathan is really excited to bring games and learning together, equipping students with the skills to succeed.

ANTHONY PAUL: GAME DESIGN SUPPORT SPECIALIST

As a Game Design Support Specialist., Anthony assists Globaloria teachers and students nationwide by encouraging them to discover solutions to programming challenges via our Help Desk. Before joining the Workshop, he worked as a game designer for THQ, Arkadium, and Large Animal Games. He also taught young people computer programming in academic summer camps. His passion and imagination for video gaming started at age six, when he was "certain that mushrooms and flowers would turn him into Super Anthony." He finds his job especially rewarding because he spent his childhood wanting to master the tools and skills needed to develop video games, and now he has the opportunity to provide those same tools and ideas to today's youth as a paradigm of their overall education.

CHARLIE OWEN: PROJECT MANAGER, GLOBALORIA IN TEXAS

As Project Manager, Charlie is responsible for managing and expanding Globaloria participation among schools in Texas and ensuring the ongoing deep STEM learning and engagement among students in the network. Graduating with an MFA in Performing Arts Management from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in 2010, he has spent most of his adult life working in and around non-profit theaters and philanthropic organizations. His interest in video game design and production has led him to the World Wide Workshop and looks forward to broadening his horizons.

BRIAN JUDY: SENIOR GAME-DESIGN CURRICULUM DEVELOPER

Brian has been collaborating with the Workshop’s Curriculum Development team on many projects over the years. He helps to create, expand and improve various Globaloria curriculum units, topics, and custom tutorials. He also leads the online Expert Feedback team and on-demand problem-solving sessions with Globaloria participants via web-conferencing. Brian and his wife are co-founders of Red Aphid, a Web Design and Game Development company in Maryland. As a visiting faculty at American University in Washington DC, Brian had implemented early pilots of Globaloria for his Introduction to Gaming courses, to explore with the Workshop how it can be used at the university level. He has a 20-year experience in software development, website development, and game design for companies such as AOL, Sierra Online, MaMaMedia, and Viacom Interactive. He home-schooled his 2 children and holds an MFA in Art and Technology from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a BS in Computer Science from the University of Maryland.

ERNESTO SANTOS: SENIOR INFORMATION/DATABASE DEVELOPER

As an Information/Database Architect, Ernesto has been collaborating with the Workshop's tech team on developing the overall framework and back-end systems of the Globaloria platforms. In the past 6 years he worked on several software projects including administrative tools for the Globaloria Learning Management System, HTML templates for front- and back-end pages, technical support for MediaWiki extensions, and original Globaloria's HTML and MediaWiki tutorials. Ernesto has taught Flash and Internet Design classes at Brooklyn College, and has worked for Scholastic Software and Bear Stearns. He co-founded an Internet startup, Monkeydreams LLC, in 1997. He holds a BA in Philosophy and Art from Brooklyn College.

RICHARD GOEHL: ART DIRECTOR AND LEAD DESIGNER

As Art Director and Lead Illustrator/Designer for World Wide Workshop and Globaloria, Rich has been responsible for establishing a design direction that visually conveys the mission of the Workshop and its Globaloria platforms, brands, and programs to world audiences, with little or no text. He has been the Lead Designer for the Globaloria platforms and websites in the past 6 years, collaborating with the Workshop president and our production teams on establishing the overall branding and style, layouts, navigation, and design assets for all activities and pages. Rich has more than 16 years of professional experience as an illustrator, designer and fine artist. He has been collaborating closely with Dr. Idit Harel Caperton since 1996 at MaMaMedia, MaMaMedia Consulting Group projects for other education/technology organizations and at the World Wide Workshop. He holds a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design.

GRANT NOEL: GRAPHIC AND VIDEO DESIGNER

As a Graphic and Video Designer at World Wide Workshop, Grant is designing and producing branded graphics and videos for the Globaloria platforms and curriculum. Born in Elkins, West Virginia, he attended Elkins High School, a Globaloria school, before coming to New York City. He is currently attending Parsons The New School for Design where he is pursuing a BFA in Design & Technology. He is excited to be working at Globaloria after seeing firsthand the impact it has on schools. He is a lover of all things related to technology and art, especially the blending of the two.

DANIEL RON: TRAINING AND TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANT

Daniel started as an intern with the World Wide Workshop, working on and off since December 2007, but has more recently been more of a Flash teaching consultant than an intern. He graduated from Lexington High School in Massachusetts in 2009, and is now a member of the MIT class of 2013. He plans to major in mathematics and physics, and study computer science. While in high school, he was a member of the Math Team, track team, soccer team, linguistics team, and captain of both the computer science team and robotics team.

MONICA BEANE: GLOBALORIA LIAISON, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF INSTRUCTION, WV DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Monica Beane's educational career stems from teaching special needs students in Grades PK and K to teaching Reading English Language Arts to student in grades 3-8. She earned the prestigious National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification EA: ELA in 2003. Monica has served as an elementary school principal and a county director of technology. Currently, she is ABD in her doctorate in Educational Leadership. In her current role, Monica serves as the liaison for the implementation of Globaloria in WV schools.

INGRIDA BARKER: PROGRAM CONSULTANT

Originally from Latvia, Ingrida moved to the United States in 2002 and started working as a teacher in Sandy River Middle School two years later. She became a part of the Globaloria pilot in WV in the summer of 2008, in its second year of implementation. Since then, she have seen my students blossom and acquire many relevant, complex, and rigorous skills needed in the 21st century world. A year later, she became a mentor to the teachers in WV as well as in TX and has greatly enjoyed the experience. She holds a Masters Degree in Secondary Education from WVU and an Educational Leadership Certification from Concord University. She is currently a Globaloria Educators’ Mentor and works as a Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction at River View High School.

GLOBALORIA 2012-13 MENTORS

Bill Dorsey, Capital High School
Nyssa Evans, East Austin College Prep
Mollie Ferguson, Tygarts Valley Middle School
Carlos Inda, Christopher Middle School
Belinda Moss, University High School
Denise Stalnaker, Randolph Technical Center
Melissa Walters, Tygarts Valley Middle School
Diane White, Tygarts Valley High School

Past Mentors

Jim Allder, Greenbrier East High School
Tracy Halsey, Liberty High School
Karen Kail, George Washington High School
Angela Leef, Greenbrier West High School
Aaron Lester, Sandy River Middle School
Crystal Moore, Chapmanville Middle School
Vicky Neal, Greenbrier West High School
Cindy Paynter, Man Middle School
Jeremy Reed, Spring Valley High School
Jeremy Ross, Doddridge County High School
Melanie Sheppard, Eastern Greenbrier Middle School
Christina Waybright, Randolph Technical Center

VALERIE MALCOMB

Valerie Malcomb is currently a junior at Marshall University where she is pursuing a Computer and Information Technology degree with an emphasis in game design. She began her internship for the World Wide Workshop's Globaloria program during the spring semester of her senior year at Elkins High School. When she is not occupied with her classes or her responsibilities as Marshall University Gaming Club president, she runs the help desk and monitors wikis and blogs for several schools. She has also participated in many teacher and principal training sessions. Some of her previous accomplishments include being a finalist in the first ever Globaloria Civics game competition and placing 1st statewide and 6th nationally in the 2010 FBLA Computer Game and Simulation Programming Competition.

LINDSEY LOSH

Lindsey is an honor student at Fairmont State University pursuing a B.S. in Business/Technology Education. She started with the Workshop as an intern in the summer of 2010 and has worked with us on a number of projects, including the August Globaloria Educators' Academy. She also has logged many hours at the Help Desk and will continue to do so for the rest of the 2012-13 year.