I am currently an Associate Researcher and Education Director at Field Day, an educational research lab housed at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery (UW-Madison), dedicated to bringing together teachers, educational theorists, software engineers and media designers to collaboratively create and research new digital technologies and related learning ecologies. I earned my PhD from the department of Curriculum & Instruction in Digital Media at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. As a research and design consultant I also partner with museums and other non-profit organizations looking to integrate place-based learning experiences into their programming. Additionally, I have extensive experience as a teacher in a variety of K-16 educational settings, where my communication arts-based curriculum helps students investigate and contribute to their local communities through design, documentary filmmaking, photography, creative writing and service learning. Most recently, I collaborated with a group of educators, students, parents, and community members to start a new school, Clark Street Community School, rooted in the core tenants of place-based education, personalized learning and democratic participation.

Jim Mathews
jmmathew@wisc.edu


EDUCATION

Ph.D., Curriculum and Instruction, Digital Media, University of Wisconsin-Madison. August, 2013.
Masters in Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Communications and Technology, University of Wisconsin-Madison. May 2007.


DISSERTATION

Title: Place-based Design: An Instructional Design Theory for Supporting Community-based Inquiry and Design Projects
Chair/Advisor: Kurt Squire
Committee: Erica Halverson, Constance Steinkuehler, Ruth Olson, Doug Marschalek


RESEARCH POSITIONS

Associate Researcher, Field Day Lab, Wisconsin Institute of Discovery. Cultivate cross-institutional and interdisciplinary partnerships, participate in multi-functional design teams, and conduct research. Field Day Lab is a design lab dedicated to bringing together teachers, educational theorists, software engineers and game designers to collaboratively prototype and research new media-focused learning tools and experiences. Nov 2014 – Present.

Research Assistant, University of Wisconsin-Madison / Department of Landscape Architecture. Designed mobile learning tools and experiences in support of a geo-spatial narrative project titled, “Stressor Gradients and Spatial Narratives of the St. Louis Estuary.” Fall 2010 – Summer 2012.

Research Assistant, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Games, Learning and Society Research Group. Conducted research on the use of mobile devices for learning as part of a MacArthur Foundation New Digital Media grant. Interviewed students and teachers, conducted observations, analyzed data, wrote reports, and designed and researched mobile learning interventions. Spring 2009 – Fall 2012.

Educational Researcher (Literacy Specialist), Local Games Lab / Advanced Distributed (ADL) Academic Co-Lab. Researched current trends in mobile media, Augmented Reality (AR) gaming and AR tool development. Planned and lead teacher professional development workshops, implement Augmented Reality (AR) games and associated curriculum in classroom settings, gathered and analyzed data and shared findings with teachers and educational researchers. Spring 2006 – Fall 2009.


TEACHING POSITIONS – UNIVERSITY

Instructor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Curriculum an Instruction 675 – Place-based learning and new media. Co-taught a graduate level course on place-based learning and media design. Spring, 2011

Lecturer, Department of Educational Psychology, University of Wisconsin. MSPE 675 – Technology Integration for Teachers and Learners. Designed and taught a graduate level course on the design, use, evaluation, and critical analysis of new media for teaching and learning. Summer 2008 – Summer 2010.

Instructor, MSE 401, ePICS – Engineering Problems in Community Service, UW-Madison. Helped students develop, implement, and evaluate various methods for integrating video into the planning, reflection, and documentation stages of the service-learning process. Fall 2004 – Spring 2005.

Faculty Assistant, C&I 605: Video Production for Education, Dept. of Curriculum and Instruction, UW-Madison. Taught video production and communication theory with an emphasis on educational applications. Fall 2001.

Faculty Assistant, C&I 603: Computing Technology, Dept. of Curriculum and Instruction, UW-Madison. Taught multimedia software skills and facilitated discussions on the critical analysis of digital media. Spring 2001.

TEACHING POSITIONS – YOUTH / K-12

Leadership Team / Teacher, Clark Street Community School (CSCS). Serve on the leadership and programming team for school planning and development. Design and teach seminars and workshops. Summer 2012 – Spring 2015.

Technology Integration Specialist, Middleton Cross Plains Area School District. Assisted teachers in integrating computer and multi-media technologies into their curriculum. Fall 1999 – Spring 2012.

Teacher, Middleton Alternative Senior High (MASH). Designed and taught courses in media studies, local studies, interactive storytelling, and documentary production. Fall 1993 – Spring 2012.

Teacher, PEOPLE Program, UW-Madison. Taught video production and media literacy to ethnic and racial minority students as part of a summer enrichment program. Summer 2004 & Summer 2005.

Producer, MASH Productions. Established and directed a school-based video production and service-learning program for high school students. Fall 2001 – 2007.


SAMPLE COURSES TAUGHT

  • Digital Media and Place-based Learning
  • Games for Change
  • Documentary Studies and Production
  • Call it Democracy (Advocacy and Activism)
  • Game Studies and Production
  • I am From (Personal explorations of place)
  • Digital Storytelling
  • Community-based Explorations


CONSULTANCY

Researcher and Consultant, Placework Studios. Work with museums, schools, and community groups to co-design and research mobile- and place-based learning experiences that engage youth in studying people, places, and issues in their local community. Past and current partners include New Learning Institute (Pearson Foundation), Converjent, Minnesota Historical Museum, Library of Congress (Teaching with Primary Resources Project), Madison Children’s Museum, California Academy of Sciences, Hirshhorn Art Museum, Milwaukee Urban Ecology Center, and Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Summer 2010 – Present.


PUBLICATIONS – ARTICLES AND BOOK CHAPTERS

Mathews, J., & Holden C. (2018). The design and play of geogames as place-based education. Geogames and geoplay: Game-based approaches to geo-information. New York, NY: Springer.

Silbernagel, J., Host, G., Hagley, C., Hart, D., Axler, R., Fortner, R., Axler, M., Smith, V., Drewes, A., Bartsch, W., Danz, N., Mathews, J., & Wagler, M. (2015). Linking place-based science to people through spatial narratives of coastal stewardship. Journal of Coastal Conservation, 19(2), 181-198.

Mathews, J. & Holden, R. (2012). Place–based design for civic participation. In S. Dikkers, J. Martin, & B. Coulter (Eds.). Mobile media learning: Amazing uses of mobile devices for teaching and learning (131-148). Pittsburgh, PA: ETC Press.

Wagler, M. & Mathews, J. (2012). Up River: Place, ethnography, and design in the St. Louis River Estuary. In S. Dikkers, J. Martin, & B. Coulter (Eds.). Mobile media learning: Amazing uses of mobile devices for teaching and learning (41-60). Pittsburgh, PA: ETC Press.

Mathews, J. (2010). Using a studio-based pedagogy to engage students in the design of mobile-based media. English Teaching: Practice and Critique, 9(1), 87-102.

Mathews, J. & Squire, K. (2009). Augmented Reality gaming and game design as a new literacy practice. In K. Tyner (Ed.), Media literacy: New agendas in communication (209-232). New York: Routledge.

Mathews, J & Wagler, M. (2009). Getting places: Using mobile media to augment place-based learning. Connect: Innovations in K-8 Science, Math, and Technology. 23(1) 22-25.

Mathews, J. (2008). I was there: Place-based Augmented Reality games in the classroom. The Journal of Media Literacy. 54 (2,3) 60-65.

Squire, K.D., Jan, M., Mathews, J., Wagler, M., Martin, J., Devane, B. & Holden, C. (2007). Wherever you go, there you are: The design of local games for learning. In B. Sheldon & D. Wiley (Eds.), The design and use of simulation computer games in education (265-296). Rotterdam, Netherlands: Sense Publishing.


CONFERENCE PAPERS, PRESENTATIONS, POSTERS AND SYMPOSIA

Mathews, J. (2018). Jo Wilder and the Capitol Case: Co-designing a video game for and with teachers. Play, Make, Learn Conference. Madison, WI, August 16, 2018.

Mathews, J. (2017). Low floor, High ceiling, Wide walls: Designing a media and learning ecology for moving users from novice to expert. Play, Make, Learn Conference. Madison, WI, August 16, 2017.

Mathews, J. (2017). Low floor, High ceiling, Wide walls: Designing a media and learning ecology for moving users from novice to expert. Play, Make, Learn Conference. Madison, WI, August 16, 2017.

Mathews, J. (2017). Critical inquiry and place-based teaching and learnig. Play, Make, Learn Conference. Madison, WI, August 16, 2017.

Mathews, J. (2016). Using critical pedagogy to guide the development of community-based investigations. ARIS Summit. Madison, WI, August 16, 2016.

Mathews, J. (2016). Using Siftr for place-based learning in the K-12 classroom. Innovative Schools Network Annual Conference. Wisconsin, Dells, WI, April 29-30, 2016

Mathews, J. (2015). Extending the classroom through community-based investigations. Wisconsin Society for Science Teachers Annual Conference. La Crosse, WI, April 21-23, 2016.

Mathews, J. (2015). Digital tools for place-based learning. Innovative Schools Network Annual Conference. Wisconsin, Dells, WI, April 29-30, 2015.

Mathews, J. (2015). Digital tools for place-based learning. Innovative Schools Network Annual Conference. Wisconsin, Dells, WI, April 29-30, 2015.

Gottleib, O., Mathews, J., Schrier, K., & Sly, J. (2014). Mobile History Games: Challenges, Frameworks, and Design Principles. Panel Presentation at Games, Learning, and Society Annual Conference. Madison, WI, June 11-13, 2014.

Holden, R., Mathews, J., Berger, W. (2014). Place + play = Game design for media(ting) improvisation. Digital Media Learning Annual Conference. Boston, MA. March 6-8, 2014.

Litts B., Smith G., Gagnon D., Martin J. & Mathews, J. (2013). Situated learning and mobile technologies: Connecting theory to design. Paper presented at the Games, Learning, and Society Annual Conference. Madison, WI, June 11-14, 2013.

Dikkers, S., Mathews, J., Litts, B., Holden, C., Martin, J. (2013). Mobile Media Learning Classroom Practices and Integration. Paper presentation at American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting. San Francisco, April 27-May 1, 2013.

Mathews, J. (2012). Teaching for sustainability: Democratic values and practices. Sustain Dane Badger Bioneers Conference. Madison, WI., December 12-13, 2012.

Holden C., Dikkers S., Mathews J., Litts B. (2012). Mobile media learning. Papar presented at Meaningful Play Conference. Lansing, MI., October, 18, 2012.

Acker, R., Mathews, J., Ward, M. (2012). Place-based design: Ethnographic fieldwork and exhibit design. Presentation at the Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference. Madison, WI., March 18-19, 2012.

Gagnon, D., Martin, J. Mathews, J. (2011). Designing mobile learning experiences using ARIS. 2011 Teaching and Learning Symposium. University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Mathews, J. (2010). Place-based learning, Augmented Reality and young people as designers. Invited presentation at the Leadership Summit on Citizen Science. Smithsonian Institute. Washington, D.C. September 14, 2010.

Mathews, J. (2010). (Re-)Mediating Place: Neighborhood Investigations and Game Design Using Mobile Media. Poster presented at the International Conference of Learning Sciences. Chicago, Illinois. June 28-July 2, 2010.

Mathews, J. (2010). (Re)Mediating place via mobile media and neighborhood games. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the International Communication Association. Singapore, June 22-26, 2010.

Mathews, J. & Wagler, M. (2010). Neighborhood game design project. Students designing local games. Presentation at the Games, Learning, and Society Annual Conference. Madison, WI, June 9-12, 2010.

Shelton, B., Perry, J., Wagler, M., Sheldon, J., Mathews, J. Klopfer, E. Squire, K. (2010). Mobile games and education: Current projects and state of the practice. Symposium at the Games, Learning, and Society Annual Conference. Madison, WI, June 9-12, 2010.

Mathews, J. (2010). (Re)Mediating place: Mobile media and place-based learning. Invited presentation at the Mobile Learning Institute Leadership Summit: Place-based Learning and Media-Making in the Field. San Francisco, May 5, 2010.

Mathews, J. & Wagler, M. (2010). Using place-based games and tours to study local culture. Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies and International Education Annual Conference. Middleton, WI, March 15–16, 2010

Mathews, J. (2010). Participatory mapping and geo-locative technologies for learning. Dynamic Social Studies Conference. Madison, WI, February 20, 2010.

Blakesley, C., Caswell, T., Gagnon, D., Jensen, M., Klopfer, E., Macklin, C., Mathews, J., Scoresby, J., Sheldon, J., Shelton, B., Squire, K. (2009). Mobile games and education: Current projects and state of the practice. Symposium at Games, Learning, and Society Annual Conference. Madison, WI, June 10-12, 2009.

Mathews, J., Wagler, M., Martin, J. (2009). Neighborhood games: Using mobile technologies to support place-based learning. Invited presentation at the 9th Annual Conference of the Wisconsin Charter School Association. Oconomowoc, WI, April 20-21, 2009.

Mathews, J. (2009). A Window to the past: Using Augmented Reality games to support historical inquiry. Paper presentation at American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting. San Diego, April 13-17, 2009.

Squire, K., Mathews, J., Martin, J. (2009). Where do we go from here? How to make an Augmented Reality game. Invited interactive symposium at American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting. San Diego, April 13-17, 2009.

Mathews, J. (2008). Is there a place for AR games in environmental education? Invited presentation at National Green Charter Schools Conference. Madison, WI, November 17-18, 2008.

Mathews, J. & Holden, C. (2008). When kids play at school: A look at informal DDR clubs in school settings. Presentation at Games, Learning, and Society Annual Conference. Madison, WI, July 10-11, 2008.

Duncan, S., Mathews, J. Magnifico, A., Martin, J., Jan, M., Games, A. (2008). Design practices in and around games. Symposium at Games, Learning, and Society Annual Conference. Madison, WI, July 10-11, 2008.

Mathews, J. (2008). Sick at South Shore Beach: A place-based Augmented Reality game as a framework for building academic language in science. In proceedings of ED-MEDIA: World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia & Telecommunications. Vienna, Austria. June 30–July 4, 2008.

Jan, M., Mathews, J., Holden, C., Martin, J. (2008). Designing an Augmented Reality Game-based curriculum. In proceedings of International Conference of Learning Sciences. Utrecht, Netherlands. June 24-28, 2008.

Mathews, J., Holden, C., Jan, M,. Martin, J. (2008). Sick at South Shore Beach: A Place-based Augmented Reality game as a framework for building evidence-based arguments. In proceedings of International Conference of Learning Sciences. Utrecht, Netherlands. June 24-28, 2008.

Martin, J., Mathews, J., Jan M., Holden, C. (2008). Restructuring activity and place: Augmented Reality games on handhelds. Paper presented at International Conference of Learning Sciences. Utrecht, Netherlands. June 24-28, 2008.

Martin, J., Jan, M., Mathews, J., Holden, C. (2008). Gaming my community: Kids designing local video games in and about their urban neighborhood. Paper presented at American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting. New York, March 24-29, 2008.

Squire, K.D., Jan, M., Mathews, J., Wagler, M., Martin, J., Devane, B. & Holden, C. (2007). Wherever you go, there you are: Place-based Augmented Reality games for learning. Paper presented at American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting. Chicago, April 9-13, 2007.

Mathews, J. & Jan, M. (2007) Place-based Augmented Reality gaming on handhelds. Interactive session at DIGITEL – The First IEEE International Workshop on Digital Game and Intelligent Toy Enhanced Learning, Jhongli, Taiwan, March 26-28, 2007.

Mathews, J. & Holden, C. (2007). Student-centered social studies activities: Augmented Reality games on handhelds. Invited presentation at Wisconsin Council for Social Studies Annual Conference. Madison, WI., March 19-20, 2007.

Klopfer, E., Mathews, J., Wagler, M., Slaats, M. (2006). Augmented Reality games. Invited symposium at Games, Learning, and Society Annual Conference. Madison, WI., June 15-16, 2006.

Mathews, J., Jan, M. (2006). ARGH: Augmented Reality games on handhelds. Invited presentation at WiscNet Future Technologies Conference 2006. Madison, WI. April 18-19, 2006.

Mathews, J., Jan, M. (2006). ARGH: Augmented Reality games on handhelds project. Poster presented at the Sixth Annual Conference of the Wisconsin Charter School Association. Appleton, WI. April 2-4, 2006.


SELECTED DESIGN WORKSHOPS

Mathews, J., Gagnon, D., Dougherty, P., Gagnon, S., Lang, E. (2016). Shipwrecks Teacher Fellowship Game Design Workshop. November 10-11, 2019.

Mathews, J., Gagnon, D., Dougherty, P., Gagnon, S., Lang, E. (2016). USDA Teacher Fellowship Game Design Workshop. 2018.

Mathews, J., Gagnon, D., Dougherty, P., Gagnon, S., Lang, E. (2016). Jo Wilder and the Capitol Case Teacher Fellowship Game Design Workshop. 2018

Gagnon, D., Mathews, J., Dougherty, P. (2015). ARIS global game jam. University of Wisconsin. October 23-24, 2015.

Mathews, J. & Gagnon, D. (2015). Field research: Take learning everywhere. University of Wisconsin. March, 2015.

Mathews, J., Martin, J., & Holden, C. (2011). ARIS mobile platform for folklorists. ARIS design workshop. University of Wisconsin, March, 2011.

Mathews, J., Gagnon. D., & Holden, C. (2011). Mobile design for historical inquiry. Mobile design workshop focusing on the use of Library of Congress materials. Madison, Wisconsin, 2011.

Gagnon, D., Macklin, C., Martin, J., Blaksley, C., Holden, J., Dikkers, S., Mathews, J., Squire, K., (2010). Mobile Learning Summit. Helped design and facilitate a large-scale open source, mobile game jam as part of the Games, Learning, and Society Annual Conference. Madison, WI, June 9-12, 2010.

Holden, C., Gagnon, D., Dikkers, S., Mathews, J. (2010). Up and Running: Making Mobile Games with ARIS. Interactive design workshop at the Games, Learning, and Society Annual Conference. Madison, WI, June 9-12, 2010.

Mathews, J. & Wagler, M. (2010) Field experience: Using games and mobile media to investigate local culture. Interactive workshop at the Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies and International Education Annual Conference. Middleton, WI, March 15–16, 2010

Mathews, J. (2008). Co-designing a game for Riverside Park. Design workshop at the Urban Ecology Center as part of a Star Schools Program grant. Milwaukee, WI, February, 2008.

Squire, K., Mathews, J., Holden, C., Wagler, M., & Jan, M. (2007). Place-based augmented reality games for learning: An experience in design-based research. Interactive workshop and presentation at the Games, Learning, and Society Annual Conference. Madison, WI, July 15-16, 2007.

Wagler, M., Mathews, J., Holden, C., & Jan, M. (2007). Introduction to augmented reality gaming curriculum and design. Weeklong professional development workshop designed to introduce teachers to the philosophy and current state of augmented reality handheld games and to prepare them to use AR games in their classrooms, Madison and Milwaukee, July and August, 2007.

Squire, K., Mathews, J., Holden, C., Wagler, M., & Jan, M. (2007). Introduction to augmented reality gaming curriculum and design. Professional development workshop designed to introduce teachers to the philosophy and current state of augmented reality handheld games and to prepare them to use AR games in their classrooms. Oconomowoc, WI, March, 2007.

Mathews, J. (2003). Workshop: Intro to video production for education. Taught elementary education students how to use video production to document and analyze their teaching practices. University of Wisconsin-Madison. Spring and Fall 2003

Mathews, J. (2003). Workshop: Photoshop for video production. Taught Adobe Photoshop techniques, emphasizing the use of photos in video production, to students enrolled in Curriculum and Instruction 603. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Spring 2003

Mathews, J. (2001/2002). Workshop: Editing with Adobe Premiere. Taught basic non-linear video production, including capturing, editing, and exporting video projects to students enrolled in Curriculum and Instruction 603 and 605. University of Wisconsin, Fall 2001 and Spring 2002


MOBILE-BASED CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT

Mathews, J. & Wagler, M. (Fall, 2009 – Present). Neighborhood Game Design Project. A studio-based design curriculum that utilizes mobile media and games to investigate local environmental and social issues.

Mathews, J. (Spring 2009). Using Mobile Media to Create Situated Documentaries. A multimedia design curriculum that engages students in the design of mobile-based situated documentaries.

Mathews, J. (Living document since May 2005). Dow Day Augmented Reality Game Design and Curriculum. (Available from UW Academic Co-Lab, 222 West Washington Avenue, Suite 470, Madison, WI 53703).

Mathews J., Holden C., Jan M., & Wagler, M. (Living document since August 2007). Riverside: A Milwaukee Game. (Augmented reality game design and curriculum available from UW Academic Co-Lab, 222 West Washington Avenue, Suite 470, Madison, WI 53703-2793).

Jan, M., Squire, K., Holden C., Wagler, M., & Mathews, J. (Living document since July 2007). Saving Lake Wingra. (Augmented reality game design and curriculum available from UW Academic Co-Lab, 222 West Washington Avenue, Suite 470, Madison, WI 53703-2793).


EDUCATION RELATED VIDEO PRODUCTIONS

Hidden Agendas. (2007). Presents work of artist Carol Chase Bjerke. Independent Production, Co-producer. June, 2007.

Taking a Bow. (2005). Explores the career and teaching philosophy of modern dancer and former UW professor Ellen Moore. Independent Production, Co-producer. August 2005.

Charter Schools of Wisconsin. (2003). For the Wisconsin Dept. of Public Instruction. Provides an overview of Wisconsin’s charter school law. Co-producer. May 2003.

Pheasant Branch Conservancy. (2003). For the Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Middleton, WI. Advocates the use of place-based education to engage students in protecting the health of their local environment. Co-producer. May 2003.

Foster Grandparent Program. (2002). For the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Dane County. Highlights the educational benefits of partnering senior citizens with elementary-aged students. Co-producer. May 2002.

Jim of the North. (2001). Explores the issue of veracity and agency in the production of anthropological films. Independent Production, Producer. December 2001.


PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES

Dr. Kurt Squire
Professor, University of California-Irvine
Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences
Department of Informatics
ksquire@uci.edu

David Gagnon
Program Director
Field Day Lab, Wisconsin Institute for Discovery
djgagnon@wisc.edu

Dr. Constance Steinkuehler
Professor, University of California-Irvine
Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences
Department of Informatics
const@uci.edu

Dr. Chris Holden
Assistant Professor, University of New Mexico
Honors College
Local Games Lab – Albuquerque
cholden@unm.edu

Mark Wagler
Ethnographer, Educational Researcher, and Designer
Local Games Lab
mwagler@wisc.edu