Professional Biography
Dr. Duvall’s background includes experiences as a computer programmer, high school teacher, instructional designer, and writer — all of which inform his perspective on teaching, learning, and technology. His research interests include designing technology-enhanced learning experiences, game-based learning, computational thinking, teacher professional development, and corporate training. His work centers on improving learning experiences for those who are typically overlooked or underserved in traditional educational systems.
Research Interests and Current Projects
As an instructional designer for an organization serving individuals with autism, Dr. Duvall examined how design frameworks from the learning sciences could be used to create more authentic learning experiences in corporate training programs.
Prior to that, he worked on the Skyscraper Games project at Drexel University’s ExCITe Center, directing a pilot program for middle school educators in the Philadelphia area. Middle school students in grades 5 through 8 designed and programmed video games, which they played on the outside wall of the 29-story Cira Centre in downtown Philadelphia, taking part in the world’s largest video game display.
Dr. Duvall’s dissertation research focused on using Goodreads, a social media application built around readers and books, to engage high school students in English language arts.