Objective

A challenging position in the development of cutting edge multimedia projects that will utilize my diverse creative, information technology, and team building skills.

Education

MA Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media, 2004
Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media, Michigan State University.
GPA:3.88

BS Electrical Engineering, 1999
Government College Of Engineering Pune, India.
GPA:3.7

Skills

Multimedia: Flash MX Pro, Director, Flash Communication Server, Dreamweaver MX, Fireworks MX, 3D Studio Max 5, Final Cut Pro 4, iMovie, Quicktime authoring, Sorenson Squeeze, After Effects, DVD Studio Pro, iDVD, Photoshop 7, Imageready, GoLive.
Programming/Scripting: HTML, Actionscript, Javascript, ASP, XML, C, Lingo.
OS: Windows 98/2000/XP, Mac OS X, Pocket PC.

"Personal Science Assistant " - A hand held PDA using RFID tags for child visitors to the children’s garden designed to teach children introductory plant biology. The project involves the integration of technologies such as RFID, Flash, Embedded Visual Basic and XML to develop a usable interface on a Pocket PC.

Work Experience

Multimedia Developer (Jun '02 - Aug '05)
College of Education, Michigan State University.
- Multimedia development of "EASE History" - a flash based rich learning environment for educators and students, that supports the learning of US history. Over 600 videos and photographs are currently available in EASE History. The site (http://www.easehistory.org) has been featured in time.com, macromedia.com and guardian.co.uk.
- Multimedia development of TTMM (Teaching Text Making Meaning) - an interactive learning environment to help teachers to compare and contrast multiple video cases of literacy instruction.

Web Developer (Aug '01 - May '02)
College of Education, Michigan State University.
- Created a database-driven website used for the purpose of collecting user feedback on research studies
- Created websites to assist in research studies

Teaching Assistant
College of Education, Michigan State University.
- Teaching Assistant for Learning Technology through Design
- Assisted faculty design online courses
- Taught web page design, HTML and CSS. Taught software packages like Dreamweaver, Front Page, Photoshop, Fireworks, FTP, MS - Office

Computer Assistant (Aug '00- Dec '00)
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University.
Webpage development. Troubleshooting hardware and software. Teaching software packages.

Graduate Trainee Engineer (Aug '99 - Jun '00)
TATA Technologies (India) Limited, Pune India
Worked as a trainee engineer in developing knowledge based engineering applications and CAD applications.

Projects

Please view my portfolio to see my latest projects.

Research

-Spiro, Rand J., Collins, Brian P., Ramchandran, Aparna R. (In press). Reflections on a Post-Gutenberg Epistemology for Video Use in Ill-Structured Domains: Things You Can Do With Video to Foster Complex Learning and Cognitive Flexibility. Video Research in the Learning Sciences. Editors/Authors: Ricki Goldman, Roy Pea, Brigid Barron, and Sharon Derry.

-Collins, Brian P., Spiro, Rand J., Ramchandran, Aparna R., Ruggiero, Charles C. (In press). NCSS Bulletin: Exemplary Social Studies Lessons that Infuse Technology. Editors: Linda Bennett and Michael Berson.

-Spiro, Rand J., Collins, Brian P., Ramchandran, Aparna R. Michigan State University. (In press). Modes of Openness and Flexibility in Cognitive Flexibility Hypertext Learning Environments. Flexible Learning in an Information Society. Editor: Khan, B.

-Palincsar, A., Spiro, R., Kucan, L., Magnusson, S., Collins, B., Hapgood, S., Ramchandran, A., Defrance, N., Gelpi-Lomangino, A. (In press). Research to Practice: Designing a hypermedia environment to support elementary teachers' learning of robust comprehension instruction. Editor: McNamara, D.

-Collins, B., Spiro, R. & Ramchandran, A. (2005). EASE History: An Online Learning Environment that Supports Historical Understanding. In P. Kommers & G. Richards (Eds.), Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2005 (pp. 4193-4195). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.

- Spiro, Rand J., Collins, Brian P., Thota, Jose, Ramchandran, Aparna, Michigan State University; Paul J. Feltovich, University of West Florida. Exploiting and Expanding Cognitive 'Bandwidth' in Learning from Digital Video Cases: Accelerating Experience, Preparing for Adaptive Knowledge Application, and Changing Ways of Thinking. (2003) AERA. Chicago, IL.

- Spiro, Rand J., Collins, Brian P., Thota, Jose, Ramchandran, Aparna, Michigan State University; Derry, Sharon, University of Wisconsin-Madison. New Directions in the Presentation of Cases: Augmenting Video to Enable the Comprehension of Complexity. (2003) AERA. Chicago, IL.

Awards

Strengths

Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to work independently.
Good team spirit.