Pangea Chat is a research and development firm applying natural language processing and game design to language learning. We've created a cross-platform application that lets you learn languages while texting your friends. We're now exploring how Covid-19 is affecting language learning classrooms and how we might help.Our application facilitates foreign language learning through texting by 1) connecting learners around shared interests 2) assisting conversation with in-chat translation and 3) generating practice activities and a gamified curricula from learners’ content and interests. The frontend uses the open-source hybrid-mobile framework Cordova, Ionic, and Angular. The backend uses Node.js, Express, and MongoDB. We use a combination of Socket.io and Firebase for chat functionalities.

LearnPlay Games has consulted with clients like Nickelodeon, General Assembly, Curio, Brown Institute, and BrainPOP on a variety of learning design challenges. We specialize in designing and prototyping novel learning systems. I generally create the concept, design, and an initial prototype before bringing on a small team for further development. Past projects include: a game to teach the ancient board game of Go using an adaptive tutoring system based on deep learning neural networks; a second version of a history game that I created for BrainPOP, deepening the potentials for learning and engagement; and a family game for seniors to rehearse aging memories.

I've played many roles at BrainPOP within the sphere of instructional design. I've designed educational games for in-house development and managed their production, developed digital prototypes of new learning system concepts, curated a collection of third-party games, analyzed usage data, designed the front-end and back-end aspects of systems to track and display student progress and written scripts for the animated movies.

I worked on several educational games with Dr. Joey Lee and partners of the Games Research Lab. Ecochains is a commercially available card game about the Arctic marine ecosystem. Scholars Quest was designed to help graduate students to excel, especially in the tacit but essential skills learned in non-classroom settings. Greenify seeks to overcome barriers in climate change education by leveraging peer-to-peer action-based learning in an interactive online environment.

• Researched and integrated instructional technologies, including digital and non-digital games, into curriculum • Engaged students and contextualized learning by connecting content to individual and group interests • Mentored individual students, mediated relationships, and managed group dynamics in and out of class • Created combined after-school computer lab and peer-to-peer tutoring for grades 9-12

• Collaborated with interdisciplinary team of researchers to formulate models of physical and ecological systems• Analyzed partial and ordinary differential equation models for parameter sets producing system equilibria• Compiled and synthesized decades of ecological research for concretely supported system parameters and relations• Programmed simulations to illustrate system dynamics to non-specialist audiences for dissemination of results• Produced pivotal evidence for feasibility of Chesapeake native oyster restoration, spurring renewed financial support• First author of manuscript (Honors Thesis) awaiting publication in Journal of Theoretical Biology• Presented results at George Mason University, Harvey Mudd Conference on the Mathematics of EnvironmentalSustainability and Green Technology, 2010 Joint Mathematics Meeting, and Honors Colloquium at William and Mary

• Tutored all levels of mathematics from middle school Algebra to college Calculus, as well as GMAT, SAT and ACT• Recommended by Karen Constantine, College Admissions Consultant, for SAT tutoring• Built steady clientele and maintained an average of three students per semester until graduation

Taught two-week SOL Algebra II remediation class resulting in 100% of students passing the test