- Kevin Clark, Ph.D. (PI)
is an Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of
the Instructional Technology program in the College of Education and
Human Development at George Mason University. He holds both bachelors
and masters degrees in computer science from North Carolina State
University as well as a Ph.D. in Instructional Systems from Pennsylvania
State University. Prior to his work in academia, Dr. Clark worked as a
designer and senior program manager for Lightspan, Inc. (currently Plato
Learning), a leading provider of educational software and interactive
media. Dr. Clark's research interests focus on the design and
development of online learning environments, the role of gaming and
media in formal and non-formal learning, and the use of technology in
learning with underserved populations. Dr. Clark has been selected as a
Fulbright Senior Specialist Roster Candidate, with the goal of applying
his research to international settings.
Kimberly Sheridan, Ed.D. (Co-PI) is an Assistant Professor of Education, with a joint appointment in Educational Psychology in the College of Education and Human Development and in Art and Visual Technology in the College of Visual and Performing Arts. She is developing a new research center on cognition and the arts at George Mason University. Prior to coming to George Mason in 2006, Dr. Sheridan was a Research Specialist at Harvard University’s Project Zero, where from 2001-2006 she primarily focused on the Studio Thinking Project which developed a framework for analyzing studio classrooms and identified the habits of mind developed through studio instruction in the visual arts. She is a co-author of the book, Studio Thinking: The real benefits of visual arts instruction (in press Summer 2007 from Teachers College Press) and has published articles on learning and cognition in arts and media. She has extensive experience in providing professional development for studio teachers in visual art and design.
Rick Kelsey (site coordinator) currently serves as the Technology Director for McKinley Technology High School in Washington, DC. Mr. Kelsey also serves as the Director for The Institute of Urban Game Design. Previously, Rick had worked as the Department Chair at Jeb Stuart High School in Falls Church, Virginia. Before entering the field of education, Mr. Kelsey's career included a twenty-five year focus in healthcare management. Mr. Kelsey served in the role of Vice President of several prestigious hospitals and healthcare firms. From 1977 to 1980, Mr. Kelsey served as Director of the prestigious King Fahd Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Mr. Kelsey's education includes a MBA in Healthcare Administration from Temple University and a Master in education from American University. He has taught Healthcare Administration courses as an adjunct professor at St. Joseph's University, Temple University, and Kind Faisal University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Dr. Toby Horn (consultant/advisor), co-Director of the Carnegie Academy for Science Education at the Carnegie Institution of Washington. She is PI for NSF-ATE 0603415 to provide support for development of the biotechnology career pathway in DC schools.
Leshell Hatley (consultant/advisor) a technologist and certified K-8 teacher with particular interests in the implementation of educational media (picture books, software, animation, gaming, interactive television shows, etc.) within formal and informal learning environments to enhance student learning. She has a B.S. in Computer Systems Engineering and a Masters in Computer Science from Howard University, respectively. She is an accomplished web developer with experience in the design and programming processes of websites, web applications, and other interactive media. Her appreciation for visual and digital art encourages her to combine her skills and talents towards the research and development of the above forms of educational media. Ms. Hatley is currently the Chair of the Learning Technology sub-committee in the IEEE VIPRG (Virtual Instructor Pilot Research Group).
Sheri Bonaglia (external evaluator) is an educational consultant with professional expertise in quantitative and qualitative research and evaluation methods, student development, program development and implementation, and survey design and analysis. Ms. Bonaglia has served as a research associate for the the American Institutes for Research where she was involved in the U.S. Department of Education’s Single Sex Schools Evaluation project. Ms. Bonaglia has also served as a consultant for the the Interim Assessment Initiative for Chicago, Illinois and has been a classroom teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools.
Neda Khalili (graduate research assistant) is a Ph.D. student at George Mason University in the Instructional Technology program. She has a Master's degree in Computer Science from The Johns Hopkins University. Her interests include educational media, educational game design, and online learning environments. She currently maintains this website.
Asia Williams (graduate research assistant) is a first year student in the Educational Psychology program at GMU. She will earn a MEd. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Assessment, Evaluation, and Testing. Her research interests include academic self-efficacy of adolescents, particularly for students of color in urban areas. She has a BA in English from the University of Pennsylvania.
