Email: noel@cc.gatech.edu
WWW:
http://www.gvu.gatech.edu/people/Phd/Noel.Rappin.html

Noel Rappin

Research Interests

Software tools for supporting modeling and design skills in learners

Learner Centered Software Design

Computer Supported Collaborative Learning

Education

Ph.D.: Georgia Institute of Technology, College of Computing (To be completed Summer 1998)

  • Dissertation Research: Helping Students to Model by Focusing Complexity of Modeling and Simulation Tools. Includes BOOST and DEVICE research discussed below.
  • Will earn certificate in Cognitive Science.
  • Advisor: Mark Guzdial, Georgia Institute of Technology.
 

M.S.: Georgia Institute of Technology, College of Computing (1995)

  • Relevant Coursework included: Animation, Cognitive Science, Educational Technology, Computer Graphics, HCI Design, HCI Evaluation.
 

B.A.: Brandeis University (1993)

  • Graduated Summa Cum Laude with a dual major in Computer Science and History.
  • Honors: Dean’s List (Fall 1989, Fall 1990 – Spring 1993), Phi Beta Kappa.
Research Experience

BOOST: Basic Object-Oriented Support Tool (1997-1998)

  • Designed, implemented (in Java), and evaluated a model-building tool to help novice Object-Oriented programmers learn Object-Oriented Design.
  • Used during Winter and Spring Quarter 1998 by over 100 students each quarter. Students showed significant performance improvements.
 

DEVICE: Dynamic Environment for Visualization in Chemical Engineering (1994-97)

  • Designed, implemented (in Smalltalk and Prograph), and evaluated a tool to help Chemical Engineering undergraduates learn to model and design pumping systems.
  • Used during two quarters by 25+ students each quarter resulting in a significant increase in student performance.
  • Research presented at several forums, including SIGCHI ’97 conference on human-computer interaction, and in April 1996 Communications of the ACM.
 

Toymaker (1994)

  • Designed and implemented (in Macintosh Common Lisp) a simulation environment for teaching design, geography and reading skills to elementary school students.
 

CaMILE: Collaborative and Multimedia Interactive Learning Environment (1993-1995)

  • Designed and built MediaBase (in Macintosh Common Lisp), a multimedia database and composition environment.
  • Assisted in design of CaMILE, a collaborative web-based learning environment used in several Georgia Tech classes.
 

Pizzeria (1992-1993)

  • Undergraduate honors thesis.
  • Designed, implemented (in Visual Basic), and evaluated a program to teach fractions to elementary school students.
Teaching Experience

Georgia Institute of Technology, College of Computing

  • Instructor for CS 2390, Modeling and Design (Object-Oriented Design and Programming), Winter 1997. Created all course materials and assignments.
  • Teaching Assistant, CS 2390, Winter 1995.
  • Teaching Assistant, CS 3361, Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, Fall 1994.
 

Georgia Institute of Technology, Continuing Education

  • Co-Instructor, Object-Oriented Analysis and Design, April 1998. Created some course material.
  • Co-Instructor, Object-Oriented Programming, October, 1997.
Professional Experience

Apple Computer, Cupertino, CA (1995)

  • Summer Intern: Authoring Tools department of Advanced Technology Group. Contact: Jim Spohrer (spohrer@taurus.apple.com).
  • Learned and evaluated programming environment SK8.
  • Used SK8 to implement Simul8, a device simulation authoring tool for end users.
 

STATS, Inc. Skokie, IL (1991-1993)

  • Headed a data collection and analysis project using NFL play-by-play data.
  • Analyzed statistics, designed databases, created programs to support project.
  • Supervised other employees.
Journal Publications

  • Guzdial, M., Kolodner, J. L., Hmelo, C., Narayanan, H., Carlson, D., Rappin, N., Hübscher, R., Turns, J., & Newstetter, W. (1996). "Computer Support For Learning Through Complex Problem-Solving." Communications of the ACM, 39(4), 43-45.
Conference Publications

  • Rappin, N., Guzdial, M., Realff, M., & Ludovice, P. (1997). "Balancing Usability And Learning In An Interface," CHI97 Conference Proceedings (pp.479-486). Atlanta: ACM.
  • Realff, M., Ludovice, P., Rappin, N., & Guzdial, M. (1997). "DEVICE: Dynamic Environment for Visualization in Chemical Engineering." Paper presented at the American Society for Engineering Education, Milwaukee, WI.
  • Guzdial, M., Rappin, N., Realff, M., & Ludovice, P. (1996). "Simulated Environments for Learning in Real World Contexts in Chemical Engineering." Paper presented at the International Conference of the Learning Sciences, Evanston, IL.
  • Rappin N, Rosenberg E. (1995) "Toymaker: Learning by Design," AERA annual meeting.
  • Guzdial, M., Rappin, N., & Carlson, D. (1995). "Collaborative And Multimedia Interactive Learning Environment For Engineering Education," Proceedings of the ACM Symposium on Applied Computing 1995 (pp. 5-9). Nashville, TN: ACM Press.
  • Guzdial, M., Turns, J., Rappin, N., & Carlson, D. (1995). "Collaborative Support For Learning In Complex Domains." In J. L. Schnase & E. L. Cunnius Eds.), Computer Support for Collaborative Learning (CSCL '95) (pp. 157-160). Bloomington, IN: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
  • Rappin, N., Guzdial, M., & Vanegas, J. A. (1994). "Supporting Distinct Roles In A Multimedia Database", Conference Proceedings of the Third Annual Conference on Multimedia in Education & Industry (pp. 202-204). Charleston, SC: Association for Applied Interactive Multimedia.
Presentations

  • Rappin, N. "Making Connections: Software Support for Model-Building." GVU Brown Bag Series, 1998.
  • Rappin, N. (1997) "On the Design of a Modeling Tool for Students of Object Oriented Programming." Workshop on Empirical Studies of Programmers, 1997.
  • Rappin, N. "Helping Students Learn Design Through Model-Building". Georgia Tech Cognitive Science Colloquium, 1997.
  • Rappin, N. "DEVICE." GVU Brown Bag Series, 1996.
  • Rappin N, Rosenberg E, "Use of Multimedia in Primary Classroom", Presentation, Georgia Educational Technology Conference, 1996.
  • Rappin, N., Guzdial, M., Ludovice, P., & Realff, M. (1995). "DEVICE: Dynamic Environment for Visualizations in Chemical Engineering". AI-Education Conference.
Invited Workshops

  • Center for Interactive Learning Technologies: Visualization and Modeling Workshop, Berkeley, CA, 1998.
  • OOPSLA Educators Symposium, Atlanta, GA, 1997.
  • Georgia Tech Design Education Workshop, Atlanta, GA 1997.