User:Matt

Name

Matt Curinga

Location

Brooklyn, NY

Education

• Teachers College, Columbia University, Doctoral Candidate Instructional Technology and Media
• Colby College, BA English
• University of Cork, Ireland, Year abroad English/Irish literature

Work

I have experience as a software developer, academic researcher, and teacher. As an adjunct instructor, I have taught object oriented programming at Teachers College. Part of my work as a graduate research assistant has been on this wiki, the StudyPlace project. Formerly, I was a co-founder mobile software company Crisp Wireless, a technology consultant to public schools in Bushwick, Brooklyn, and, a long time ago, a public school bilingual and ESL teacher in the Mississippi Delta as part of the Teach For America program. For a full list, see my curriculum vitae.

Research interests

I am interested in the social aspects of new media, how the internet allows massive collaboration, and it social/political implications. I am particularly interested in how this new social software enables people to work together and for themselves with less corporate and institutional intervention. My research has spawned an interest in peer-to-peer learning, wikis, and social networks. My dissertation looks at the role of education in freedom, in terms of realizing freedom as a change of consciousness, and what impact social software may have in forwarding or thwarting freedom. Freire, Ranciere, Illich, and Greene figure prominently in this work. Although not fully reflected in my dissertation, I have a continued interest in bilingual education and language acquisition.

StudyPlace projects

I'm interested in how StudyPlace might grow. What does it take to make an educational commons self-sustaining?

Among other things, I'm currently I'm working on the anarchism and education portal and could certainly use a hand. Let me know if you want to help out.

Everyone should read

See my list of 5 core readings in education. Add your own list to this page!

My websites

• my personal site
• my family site
• family photos

Biography

Cynthia & Diego at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

I live in Brooklyn, NY with my wife Cynthia and two children, Diego (almost 3) and Fiona (less than a year). I like writing software and hope to continue doing so, but with a more thoughtful purpose, influenced by my research. After finishing my degree (soon!) I hope for a faculty or research position.

When not writing code, studying, or enjoying life with my family, I like to play soccer, ultimate frisbee, and pool.