Table of Contents

Full Resume for KATRIN BECKER, M.Sc., Ph.D., CAID member.

Mink Hollow, Rocky View County, Alberta, T4C 2Y8
becker [at] minkhollow [dot] ca,
http://drkatrinbecker.com

A long and varied career can lead to a long and varied resume. I make no apologies for having such a long resume - it indicates I have done a lot of things. To make navigation a little easier, you can skip to any specific section that interests you by using the links in the table of contents (right → ). There is a partial list of my non-academic publications on this page, but my academic publications are on their own page. Feel free to contact me about any of it.

I taught my first course in 1982 while I was still a graduate student and I have been a Computer Science Instructor since 1983. I resigned from the University of Calgary in July 2006. My main research interests are instructional and software ethology, educational game design & analysis, digital game-based learning (DGBL), interdisciplinary communication, and sometimes Computer Science Education (CSE). I have been using classic arcade games as both programming and algorithmic examples and also as assignments in computer science since 1998. I've been using digital games as instructional technologies as long as I've been teaching.

I hold a BSc and an MSc in Computer Science and a PhD in Educational Technology; am a systems analyst, interactive media designer, and instructional designer with 30 years’ teaching and course design experience. I have designed curricula in information technology; designed, developed, and taught courses in computer science, education, engineering, fine art, and general science at the post-secondary level. I have used leading edge technology, developed award-winning, internationally recognized innovative approaches to teaching and learning, and have developed several design and analysis models for instructional design generally and serious games in particular. I have consulted as a systems analyst, programmer, web designer, and instructional designer. I have published widely in education, computer science education, games studies and serious games, including a book on computer simulations and games for non-technical people, and another due out in 2016 on using and choosing games for the classroom. I have been a guest lecturer at all levels of formal education and have developed and maintained extensive resource and educational websites as well as installing and managing my own Moodle courses.

Perhaps as counterbalance to my digital life, I have also raised various kinds of small livestock and I designed and developed the internationally known school duck hatching program for elementary schools.

Current Positions, Roles, and Affiliations

*CAID = Canadian Association of Instructional Designers

For a list of my Professional Affiliations, see this page.

Education

Graduate Certificate in Serious Game Design and Research, Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media, Michigan State University 2012-2013, completed.

Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Technology, University of Calgary Thesis:The Invention of Good Games: Understanding Learning Design in Commercial Video Games” 2003-2008, Supervisor: D.M.Jacobsen

Master of Science in Computer Science, University of Calgary Thesis: “Topics and Tools in the Undergraduate Computer Science Curriculum”, 1981-1983, Supervisor: A.W.Colijn

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, University of Calgary, 1977-1981

Research Interests

Professional Experience / Activities

Industrial Liaison and Other Professional Activity

Academic Experience / Activities

Note that I have not listed any of my departmental or university level committee work, as they are too numerous. My committee involvement over the years has largely had to do with strategic planning, curriculum, student advocacy, and outreach (both institutionally and community-wide).

Current Research/Practice Affiliations & Projects

Past Research Affiliations

Teaching Experience

Courses Taught:

Continuing Education

Fine Art

Computer Science

Educational Research

Engineering

General Education

Other Experience

Awards & Honors

Year/ DurationGrant/Award AgencyRole
2017 MRU Travel Grant Mount Royal
2015 MRU Travel Grant Mount Royal
2013 MRU Travel Grant Mount Royal
2008 MRU PD Funding Mount Royal
2006 J. B. Hyne Research Innovation Award Grad Studies, U of C
2006 Graduate Teaching Fellowship Grad Studies, U of C
2003 Graduate Assistantship (Teaching) EducationGDER, U of C
Course Development Grant Fac.Science/CPSCPI
URGC Travel Grant U of C
2002 Learning Commons Fellowship U of CPI
2001 U of C Travel Grant U of C
SCP Grant U of CPI
Departmental Travel Grant U of C
2000-2004Equity-Research Grant U of CPI
1999 Professional Development Award U of C
1983 Graduate Assistantship (Research) CPSC U of C
1982 Swan Memorial Book Prize U of C
1982 Graduate Assistantship (Teaching) CPSC U of C

Skills

Technical Skills

Teaching Innovations

Publications




Other Publications:

[documents, papers, manuals, departmental documents; refereed and not]

  1. Course Website for UofCalgary Course: FINA 507 (Game Design)
  2. Course Websites for MRU course: ENGR 1271 [2009] and ENGR1273 [2010]
  3. Course Websites for MRU course: GNED 1101 [2008] and COMP 1001 [2008]
  4. Serious Games Pathfinder – used by other scholars and researchers in the field.
  5. Mink Hollow Farm School Hatching Program [2002-present] Used throughout the world.
  6. Duck Anatomy (outside) A picture of a duck with various parts labeled. Pass the mouse over the picture to find closeups! [2005]
  7. Incubation Temperatures A list of incubation temperatures for different birds and at different stages of incubation [2005]
  8. Stages of Development (Embryology) Chart describing the developmental stages of an embryo. Some of it even looks like English. [2005]
  9. Embryology Glossary Definitions and descriptions of words used when describing the development of a duckling in its egg.[2005]
  10. What is Inquiry-Based Learning, [August 2005], notes from the talk delivered to CPSC in 2004.
  11. 1999 – 2002 Annually: Summarize & Produce Summary Document of Cpsc Degree Programs
  12. Information on Advanced Placement/ Advanced Credit/ Special Assessment/ Challenge Exams in Cpsc 231 and Cpsc 233 [2000]
  13. Justification for Language Change to Pascal/Java in CS101-102 [2000]
  14. Duties of Coordinator in Multiple Section Courses [1999]
  15. Duties of Teaching Assistants [1999]

Reviewing, Refereeing, Program Committees

Conference Participation

Editorial & Advisory Boards

Reviewing