Jeffrey Bardzell
Faculty Title
Assistant Professor of Informatics
Research Statement
Most of my research takes place at the intersection of critical theory and new media studies. For example, a typical project is to adapt the critical approaches of structuralist semiotics to analyze the conceptualization of creativity projected (and enforced) by creative design software applications. This work can then be taken in two directions. First, it can form the basis of critical work on the aesthetic and cultural significance of software-supported creative and artistic design. Second, its insights can be leveraged in the design of new interfaces with new metaphors or conceptualizations of creativity, which can in turn be verified using empirical research and testing.
Summary of Active Research Projects
A summary of my research projects follows.
Computer Languages and Artistic Creativity: Organic Composition in Hierarchically Systematized Authoring Environment
Abstract: Software applications designed for creativity are not only written in object-oriented languages, but their tools, operations, behaviors, scripting languages, and visual interfaces also assume a certain object-orientedness of the media they are used to create as well as assume that their users will work in a design paradigm that is also informed by principles of object-oriented programming. This study examines some of the aesthetic, ethical, and socio-cultural consequences of the object-oriented ?grammar? of these creative applications.
Creativity and E-Learning
With Shaowen Bardzell
Abstract: A common goal in instructional settings is to encourage learners to be creative in their approach to learning, to apply ideas learned in the classroom to experience outside of the classroom. This study considers how e-learning applications could make greater use of creativity, by adopting some of the interface metaphors, design sequences, and programming structures of dedicated creativity applications.
Incorporating Ontological Design Philosophy into a Design Framework Accessible by Design Professionals
With Eli Blevis
Abstract: Many theorists of design are now leveraging the power and sophistication of schools of critical theory (including phenomenology, hermeneutics, structuralism, and deconstruction) to create powerful new design philosophies. These theories, by their very nature, are difficult, rendering them largely inaccessible outside of the academy. Unfortunately, designers will design whether or not they have access to adequate theories. In this study, we explore the extent to which it is possible to elaborate a general design framework that is meaningfully informed by design philosophy and yet accessible to design professionals outside of the halls of the academy.
Improving Human Communication in Online Forums
With Shaowen Bardzell and Marty Siegel
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate how people interact with one another in online discussion forum postings. The researchers will seek to understand how the forums encourage people to participate in certain ways, while discouraging them from acting in others. The findings will help the researchers design new online forum applications that improve users? ability to communicate.
HCI and Cybersecurity
With Eli Blevis and Youn-Kyung Lim
Abstract: As cybersecurity increasingly gains attention as a major commerical, political, and social issue, HCI has emerged as an important area of research. For example, password use is far less effective than it should be, because of an intrinsic conflict between mathematical needs (effective passwords should highly unique, hard to guess) and human needs (passwords must be memorable). We are exploring different means of authentication that better serve the twin needs of uniqueness and memorability.
Selection of Publications
Books (Selected)
Bardzell, Jeffrey. Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004 with ASP, ColdFusion, and PHP: Training From the Source. Berkeley: Macromedia Press/Peachpit, 2003.
St. John, Edward P., Siri Ann Loescher, and Jeffrey Bardzell. Improving Reading and Literacy in Grades 1-5: A Resource Guide to Research-Based Programs. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, 2003.
Bardzell, Jeffrey. Special Edition Using Fireworks MX. Indianapolis: Que Publishing, 2003.
Bardzell, Jeffrey. Macromedia MX eLearning: Advanced Training From the Source. Berkeley: Macromedia Press/Peachpit, 2003.
Articles (Selected)
Blevis, Eli B., and Jeffrey S. Bardzell. ?Design Experimentation.? Sydney Design Symposium 2004. Online. www.cdm.uws.edu.au/sds2k4, 2004.
Bardzell, Jeffrey, and Shaowen Bardzell. ?Creating Shared Learning Spaces with Macromedia Contribute and Macromedia Flash Communication Server MX.? Online. www.macromedia.com, 2003.
Bardzell, Jeffrey. ?Seven Key Features of Learning Environments.? Online. www.macromedia.com, 2002.
Bardzell, Jeffrey, and Shaowen Bardzell. ?Drag and Drop Inferno: Creating an Interactive Learning Asset in Fireworks MX and Dreamweaver MX.? Online. www.macromedia.com, 2002.
Lentz, John Warren, and Jeffrey Bardzell. ?Flash 5: An Architectural Approach I.? Online. www.ehandson.com, 2001.
Lentz, John Warren, and Jeffrey Bardzell. ?Flash 5: An Architectural Approach II.? Online. www.ehandson.com, 2001.
Theobald, Neil D., and Jeffrey Bardzell. "Introduction and Overview: Balancing Local Control and State Responsibility for K-12 education." Balancing Local Control and State Responsibility for K-12 Education: 2000 Yearbook of the American Education Finance Association. Ed. Neil Theobald and Betty Malen. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education, 2000.
Theobald, Neil D., and Jeffrey Bardzell. ?Achieving a ?Just Balance? Between Local Control of Schools and State Responsibility for K-12 Education: Summary Observations and Research Agendas." Balancing Local Control and State Responsibility for K-12 Education: 2000 Yearbook of the American Education Finance Association. Ed. Neil Theobald and Betty Malen. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education, 2000.
Bardzell, Jeffrey, Edward P. St. John, and Kim Manoil. ?A Framework for Planning Early Literacy Interventions.? Policy News & Notes 8 (1999): 4?5.
Bardzell, Jeffrey. Review of Epic Traditions in the Contemporary World, by M. Beissinger, J. Tylus, and S. Wofford (eds.). Yearbook of Comparative and General Literature 47 (1999): 190-194.
Conference Presentations and Invited Talks (Selected)
Bardzell, Shaowen, Jeffrey Bardzell, Hyo-Jeong So, and Junghun Lee. ?A Model for Integrating Technology and Learning in Public Health Education.? The Association for Education Communications and Technology [AECT] Annual International Conference, Chicago, Illinois, October 2004.
Bardzell, Jeffrey and Shaowen Bardzell. ?Macromedia Contribute in the University.? WebDevShare Conference, Bloomington, IN, October 2003.
Bardzell, Jeffrey and Shaowen Bardzell. ?eLearning Project Management: Three Learning Applications Created with Macromedia Flash MX.? Syllabus Conference, Boston, MA, November 2002.
Bardzell, Jeffrey. ?Allegory (or Narrative Ontology) and the Advent of Literacy in the Twelfth Century.? New Jersey College Teachers of English Conference, Seton Hall, NJ, April 2000.
St. John, Edward P., and Jeffrey Bardzell. ?The Early Literacy Intervention Grant Program implementation study.? Briefing for the Visiting Committee, School of Education, Indiana University, 1998.
More Information
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