whatis:
Bitculture is the web portfolio of Dave H. Crusoe. This web presence reflects a small collection of my work and... well, I've tried to keep it short and simple. My latest resume can be found here in pdf format. |
writing & thinking:
So: it's a big world with many social challenges, and part of the solution to some of our shared challenges is education. Accessible, equitable, awesome, powerful education -- education that takes into account its cultural existance and application to inspire positive development. I've done a bit of graduate work in the area:
During my stint as a Technology, Innovation and Education student (Ed.M, 2005) at HGSE , most of my writing (and thinking) focused on understanding the intersections of culture, education and technology. Some of my work included:
- An essay exploring semiotics (in the Geertz sense) and the meaning of learning objects within a muti-user virutal environment (MUVE).
- An examination of possible gender variations in the pattern of students' use of the River City MUVE analyzed through log data captured for all user events within the system.
- An essay exploring education and the potential gender effects of interface-based educational material [pdf] that's been cited elsewhere.
- The report of a six-month ethnographic study of "ToE", an online gaming clan: [pdf]
- A qualitative study of Battlefield 1942 gamers that explores player perceptions of learning through entertainment gaming: [pdf]
- A"total conversion mod" of Neverwinter Nights designed to teach high school students critial inquiry through considering events of the Sacco and Vanzetti trial. Downloaded upon request - it's kinda big to host, and contains some copyrighted content.
In 2006, I returned to HGSE to study cognitive and neuroscience through "Mind, Brain and Education", a wonderful program. Among other topics, I focused on understanding human creativity.
development:
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.”
Little Gidding V, No. 4, Four Quartets -- T.S. Eliot
Currently developing projects through The Public Learning Media Laboratory. Projects include Boolify (boolean search interface), Project 10 (Mentoring for 18-25 year olds) and a many other pieces of software, including CodeKindness. I'm also researching Web 2.0's utilization in the nonprofit sector and return on value for various organizations.
Other projects, such as the Nautilix Challenge (marine engineering, education, a challenging ocean exploration) are pending funding, and I've been unable to find the time to adequately support the Internet Radio Project although it's still active and in need of a project director.
puddle jumping:
Other free time: curious photographer, non-professional writer of thoughts, caver and highly motivated biospeleologist, rarely-stung beekeeper, timid rock climber, national-public-radio-devout, puddle jumper extraordinare, aspiring-expert haver of fun, and still-discordant banjo player. Always-enthusiasmish liver of life. Engaged, awaiting, marriage to the wonderful, beautiful and intriguing Laila Flores of Mexico City, Mexico.
David Crusoe is also known as Dave Crusoe (for google!)