2011 TC Research
Teachers College, Columbia University
Teachers College Columbia University

Research

Section Navigation

Daniel Hoffman

Professional Background

Educational Background

Ed.D., Instructional Technology, Teachers College (expected May 2012)
M.S., Education, Pace University (2003)
B.S., English Literature, St. Michael's College (1998)

Scholarly Interests

  • Games and learning
  • Multimedia learning
  • Design and development of interactive learning environments

    • Selected Publications

    current projects

    Games for Learning Institute
    Role: Research Assistant
    About: The Games for Learning Institute (G4LI) was established in 2008 with a prestigious grant from Microsoft Research, and supplemental funding from the Motorola Foundation. Based at New York University, the Institute brings together 14 game designers, computer scientists, and education researchers from 9 partner institutions. G4LI applies a scientifically rigorous  approach that uses both quantitative and qualitative methods. Researchers study existing games, identify key design elements and learning patterns, develop prototype "mini games" based on these elements and patterns, test them in classroom and informal learning settings, and evaluate the results. G4LI's initial focus is on digital games as tools for teaching science, technology, engineering, and math-STEM subjects-at the critical middle-school level.

    STEPS to Literacy Project
    Role: Designer
    About: The STEPS to Literacy project team is developing a technology-based intervention with a curricular approach to support and increase English Language Learners' academic writing attainment in English. The project's co-PIs are Professors Jo Anne Kleifgen and Charles Kinzer of Teachers College, Columbia University. This intervention specifically seeks to improve the writing of middle school English Language Learners-who are emergent bilinguals-through a multimodal, web-based environment. The environment is founded on an anchored instruction/situated model that incorporates the best knowledge about teaching writing and the emergent bilingual adolescent population.

    MSTU 5003: Theory and programming of interactive media I

    Aimed at students who are interested in building instructional multimedia in Adobe Flash. Provides students with tools for understanding, analyzing and constructing Flash-based multimedia in a hands-on manner. Examples and mini-tutorials abound. Theory and design are integrated to ensure students emerge as authors of well designed, educationally sound media.

    MSTU 5030: Intelligent computer-assisted instruction

    Prerequisite: MSTU 4133. Participants study ideas about the representation of knowledge, models of the learner, and teaching strategies that have been developed in artificial intelligence and cognitive psychology, as well as develop and test intelligent computer-assisted instruction materials for topics of interest. Special fee: $35.