Summary
My research interest center around how people of all ages engage with technologies across cultures. I have been focusing in on what technical competencies are required for a person to thrive in the 21st century. My educational and employment background overlaps the areas of new media (gaming, web and multimedia design) and education (instructional design), with over 15 years of practical experience in both areas.
Education
Degrees
Ph.D. Curriculum, Teaching, & Educational Policy
Doctoral Candidate
College of Education
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
- Areas of Specialization: Global Citizenship Education, Educational Technologies, Urban Education,
- Dissertation Title: Hip-Hop is My Passport! Examining Global Citizenship Education and Digital Literacies through Popular Culture.
- Dissertation Advisor: Dorothea Anagnostopoulos
M.S. Instructional Systems Technologies
December, 2002
School of Education
Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
B.A. Applied Mathematics,
August, 1995
College of Arts and Sciences
Indiana University Northwest, Gary, IN
Certificates
Graduate Certificate
Serious Game Design
Fall 2008
College of Communication Arts and Sciences
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Additional Training
Certificate of Achievement
- Google Qualified Individual Verification ID: 964561 March 2012 -2013
- Google Teachers Academy, Sydney, NSW Australia, April, 2011
Skills
Specialties:
I am proficient in User Centered Design, Global Citizenship Education, Urban Education, Digital Literacies, Multiculturalism, Critical Race Theory, Serious Gaming Pedagogy, User Experience Research, Qualitative Research Methods, Curriculum Design
I also have the following technical proficiencies: Web Design, Web Development, Google Qualified Individual, Social Media Manager, CMS Manager, LMS Content Manager (Angel, Blackboard, Moodle), Blogger, Wiki Manager, Podcasting, Image, Audio & Video Editing.
I have basic skills in the following areas: Qualitative Software: Nvivo, Atlas Quantitative Software: SPSS Database Design and Management: Access, PHP/MySQL, Print Layout: InDesign/Quark, Illustrator.
Teaching Experience
Graduate Course Instructor
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
- TE 831 Teaching School Subject Matter with Technology (Summer 2011, Fall 2011) (Online Course)
- Created online environment for pre-service and in-service educators
- Topics explore National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS*T), the Social Construction of Technology Theory (known as SCOT), Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge Theory (known as TPACK), digital literacy, digital citizenship, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), 21st Century Skills, digital storytelling, and using Internet-based technologies (i.e. wikis and blogs) for educationally profitable outcomes.
- TE818 Curriculum Its Social Context (Spring 2010) (Online Course)
- Created online environment for class in Angel LMS.
- Developed activities to help create an active learning community.
- Produced interactive modules and presentations using Adobe Connect.
- Provided technical support for lead teacher and students.
- TE150 Reflections in Learning (2006 – Spring 2007)
- Prepared lessons and instruction for topics in Educational Psychology in accordance with department curriculum.
- Provided students with assessments on student-centered project based assignments.
- Assistant Instructor, Department of Computer Science, (Fall 1999 – Spring 2000)
- Provided Instruction in intermediate and advanced techniques for the use of Microsoft Office desktop publishing, web design, audio and video development for the for the following classes:
- A110 Introduction to Computers and Computing
A216 Digital Multimedia Concepts and Technologies
- Lab Instructor, Department of Telecommunications, (Fall 2001 – Spring 2001, Summer 2002)
- Tel-T 101 Media Life
- Tel-T 205 Intro To Media & Society
- Tel-T 206 Intro To Design & Production
Adjunct Faculty/Lecturer
Spring 2012
Department of Indigenous Education
Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW Australia
Global Indigenous Education (Online Course)
Spring 2003, 2004, 2005
Graduate School, Howard University, Washington, DC
Teaching in the Online Environment (Hybrid Course)
Fall 1995 – Spring 1996
Department of Mathematics
Indiana University Northwest, Gary, IN
Developmental Mathematics
Secondary Instructor
Fall 1995 – Spring 1996
Department of Mathematics,
Lew Wallace Senior High School, Gary, IN
Gary Community Schools Corporation
Pre-Algebra and Algebra 1
Out of School Technology Instructor
Summers 2009 – Present
College of Education Summer Scholars Program
Global Hip-Hop and Technology
Street University, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
Global Hip-Hop and Technology
Summer 2001
Boys and Girls Club, Indianapolis, Indiana
The Rise Shelter for Battered Women and Children, Bloomington, Indiana
Introduction to Web Design and Multimedia Development
Summer 2000
Crossroads For Kids – Wired Woods, Duxbury Massachusetts
Introduction to Web Design and Multimedia Development
Summer 1997
Del-Teens, Gary, Indiana
Introduction to Desktop Publishing
Summers 1995- 1997
Career Beginnings Initiative, Indiana University Northwest, Gary,IN
Introduction to Desktop Publishing
Summer 1996
Gary Community School Corporation Gifted Summer Scholars Program
Science and Mathematics Software Trainer
Interactive Media Design Experience
1996- Present
- Web design and development for various companies/organizations in Washington D.C. New York, Massachusetts, Indiana, Illinois, Texas, and Michigan.
- Digital Game design and development for promotional and instructional venues
- Audio and Video production.
- Professional Development Training to Pre-Service and In-Service Teachers in Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge as well as proven instructional design principles.
Research Experience
Visiting Scholar
Fulbright – mtvU Fellow
October, 2010 – Present
Center for Transforming Cultures
University of Technology, Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Examining how youth in Western Sydney engage in global and digital citizenship through popular culture, specifically hip-hop.
Thinker in Residence
April 2011 – July, 2011
Information and Cultural Exchange, Parramatta, NSW Australia
- Provide pedagogical and technological training.
- Contribute content to existing programs.
- Assist in the development of protocols for implementation, evaluation, and assessment.
- Work with staff in the evaluation and assessment of current programs.
Research Assistant
July, 2006 – Present
Michigan State University,
College of Education, East Lansing, MI
- Future Teachers for Social Justice (Fall 2007 – Spring 2009)
- Coordinate logistics for monthly meetings and social activities.
- Work with high school students to develop research skills.
- Provide technological support in web development and Audio/Video Creation and Production.
- Coordinate field trips and weekend retreats for students.
- Science Research Group (Fall 2007 – Spring 2008)
- Performed qualitative research.
- Delivered technological instruction and support for two research projects.
- Designed and developed Flash-based games.
- Served as videographer for research project
Undergraduate Intern
1993 – 1995
Multicultural Affairs and Student Activities Office
Indiana University Northwest, Gary, IN
- Collected and stored and managed qualitative data on student program participation through the Multicultural Affairs Office.
- Maintain database on student participating in volunteer programs through the Student Activities Office.
- Served on the Student Activities Board.
- Created marketing materials and newsletters for both offices.
- Help facilitate multicultural affairs workshops.
- Performed basic receptionist duties.
Additional Professional Experience
Assistant Coordinator – Study Abroad, Sydney
(Summer 2010)
Michigan State University,
College of Education, East Lansing, MI
- Helped organize planning meetings for faculty and students.
- Provided technical support for online components of class instruction.
- Monitored students at their school placements throughout New South Wales.
- Helped coordinate tours for students.
Technology Consultant
(Fall 2007 – Spring 2008), (Fall 2009 – Present)
- Design and develop technologically enhanced support materials.
- Facilitate technological workshops catered to the needs of high school students, college students, faculty, and staff members.
- Create online inclusive student centered social networks for academic enrichment.
Community Peer
May 2008 – Present
Michigan State University,
University Apartments and Residence Life, East Lansing, MI
- Develop and implement programming events for the diverse population of residents in university housing.
- Assist in creating a peaceful cooperative environment among residence.
- Facilitate conflict-resolution strategies between residents.
- Design inclusive activities for international students and graduate students.
Coordinator, Web Design and Instruction
September, 2002 – August, 2006
Howard University,
Office of Research and the Graduate School, Washington, D.C.
- Formulate options, develop and recommend solutions for on web/technology and web-based instructional issues surrounding NSF, NIH, and FIPSE related research initiatives, including projects focused around learning communities, social networking, the scholarship of teaching and learning, recruitment and retention in STEM disciplines and virtual learning environments.
- Assistant Instructor – Teaching in the Online Environment: Designed syllabus for and co-taught doctoral students on how to adapt their classes to online environment using rich medium based on instructional design principles and technological pedagogical content knowledge.
- Research organizational and user experience information and make recommendation on user interface design and multimedia development for the purposes of recruitment, retention, and instruction within the Office of Research and various Graduate School Departments
Technical Intern
June 2002 – August 2002
Archives of African American Music and Culture, Bloomington, IN
- Maintained website for various collections.
- Updated and maintained databases for various collections.
- Helped with fact checking.
Activity Specialist
June 2001 – August, 2001
WiredWoods and Crossroads for Kids, Duxbury, MA
- In house camp counselor for the duration of the summer program.
- Facilitate conflict resolution and community building among participants.
- Promote environment of open communication.
- Deliver curriculum/instruction for youth affected by the digital divide in web design/development.
- Design instructional materials to aid in use of PhotoShop, Dreamweaver & Flash.
- Web Development for Site: http://www.wiredwoods.org.
Lab Instructor
August 1999 – August 2002
Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Office of the Graduate School
Office of Financial Aid
August 2000 – August 2002
- Designed and maintained a web based news magazine for graduate students.
- Conducted interviews on graduate student research and accomplishments.
- Maintained the Office of Financial Aid’s intranet.
Game Programmer
Office of Admissions
Summer 2001
- Designed/programmed a flash-based (actionscripted) video game for the purposes of recruitment and admissions.
Instructional Coordinator,
August, 1997 – August, 1999
Supplemental Instruction (SI) Department,
Indiana University Northwest
- Recruit and train students to perform study skills sessions and become “near peers” with students enrolled in traditionally difficult courses as defined by the percentage of students earning grades of C-, D, F, or withdrawal.
- Collect, calculate, and evaluate data on the performance of SI students in SI classes.
- Monitor retention rates in chosen populations and make recommendation based on given data.
- Designed and develop instructional materials for courses and web site.
Educational Specialist, Field Counselor
1995- 1997
Career Beginnings Initiative,
Indiana University Northwest, Gary, IN
Helped arrange academic components in weekly workshop for high school juniors and seniors.
- Assist students in securing summer and year-round employment opportunities matching their career interest.
- Recruit community based professional mentors for monthly meetings with students.
- Provided workshops for Internet use, graphical design, web design basics and newsletter preparation.
Conferences and Presentations
Selected Conference Presentations
Horton, A. (2012, June). Hip Hop Who R U? An Examination of Hip-Hop as a Professional Development Tool. Paper presented at the Academic Committee of the 9th International Conference Crossroads in Cultural Studies, Paris, France
Horton, A., Heggert, K. (2012, June). Explorations in Hip-Hop, Digital Literacies and Global Citizenship Among Youth in Western Sydney. Paper presented at the Academic Committee of the 9th International Conference Crossroads in Cultural Studies, Paris, France
Demirbilek, M. Yucel, Z., & Horton, A. (2011, March). English Language Teachers’ Perspectives on Using Computer Games for Second Language Teaching and Learning as a New Medium. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association (AERA), New Orleans, LA
Horton, A. (2010, November.) Examining Global Issues with Urban Students. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Global Education Conference, online.
Horton, A., Covington, C., Kim, G., & Fitzer, K. (2009, June). The Graduate – A Serious Game on Graduate School Retention. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Games, Learning, and Society Conference, Madison, WI
Horton, A. (2009, April). African American Imprint on Global Citizenship Education. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association (AERA), San Diego, CA
Selected Invited Speaking Engagements
Horton, A. (2011 September). Multicultural Identity Development in Virtual Environments. Presentation for 2nd year cohort of Warawara – Department of Indigenous Studies, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
Horton, A. (2011 June). Hip-Hop is My Passport: Examining Global Citizenship Education and Digital Literacies through Popular Culture – Department of Health, Melbourne Victoria, Australia
Horton, A. (2011 June). Using Social Media Tools to Create an Academic Identity – Faculty of the VCA and Music Department, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
Horton, A. (2011 October). Podcasting: Pedagogical and Practical Considerations – Department of Education Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey
Horton, A. (2009 August). Thinking about Technology: Practices all Educator Should Know Sisters of the Academy, Auburn, AL
Service
eIntern,
September 2011 – Present
U.S. Department of State, Virtual Student Foreign Service,
UNESCO Tonga
Judge, MIT Global Challenge
April 2011, (Annual)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Volunteer Technology Instructor
February 2011 – April 2011
Street University, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
Doctoral Education Committee Member
August 2009 – May 2010
Michigan State University
Executive Board Graduate Student Council
April 2009 – October 2010
American Education Research Association
Volunteer Web Designer
August 2004– May 2006
Sankore, Institute, Baltimore, MD
Volunteer Technology Instructor
August 2003 – May 2005
Passport to Work Program, Washington DC
Volunteer Technology Instructor
August 2001 – May 2002
The Rise Middle Way Transition House, Bloomington, IN
Volunteer Technology Instructor
August 2001 – May 2002
Boys and Girls Club, Indianapolis Indiana
Vice President of Information Services
March 2000 – March 2002
National Black Graduate Student Association