Margarita Dekoli

dekoli@media.mit.edu

Background

• 1997:BA, Computer Engineering, University of Patras, Greece

• 1997-2001: Computer Engineer, Computer Technology Institute, Patras, Greece

• 2001-2003: MSc, Media Arts and Sciences, Media Laboratory, MIT

• 2003-2006: Software Engineer & Researcher, Media Laboratory, MIT

ProjectsBA thesis: “Advanced Applications of GIS and Multimedia: The Archaeology Paradigm”

Implementation Leader: Project C3. GPS enabled system, wireless real time data transmission to E-Slate for map construction by 6-year olds

S/W developer: Music software components for the E-Slate platform (JDK, Java Media Framework, Quick Time for Java)

Project coordinator, educational s/w author: Project Mentor, collaborative framework for foreign language learning in high schools

Product designer, Implementation Leader, S/W author: Project Xenios. Foreign Language Learning in Greek high schools

MSc Thesis: CodaChrome project, a system for young children to program color patterns and make electronic jewelry with tricolor LEDs

S/W Developer: Scratch project, a system for youth to program their own multimedia projects, animations and games

Systems engineer: Project SATEP, extension of my BA thesis for the documentation of an archaeological excavation

Technical Experience

• Java 2 Platform– J2SE: 4 years– JMF (Java Media Framework): 2 years– Java Comm API: 2 years– QuickTime For Java: 1 year

• Smalltalk/Squeak: 2 years• Visual C++ < 1 year• Embedded Visual C++: < 1 year• Logo: 2 years• JavaScript, VBScript: 1 year• GIS tools: Arc/Info, ArcView & OO Avenue: 2 years• Database Design, Object-Oriented design: 3 years• Graphic design tools: Corel Draw, Photoshop, Fireworks

Additional Experience

• Supervised:– Development teams of 1-2 junior computer & s/w engineers– BA thesis student on semi-structured databases of

archaeological data using XML tools– A team of high school teachers that worked as co-developers for

the foreign language learning s/w (Project Xenios)

• Co-wrote and Edited:– The manual for the Xenios s/w, now part of the curriculum at the

Greek Open University

• Organized:– A number of user studies and workshops with kids 6-16 both in

Greece, and in the US

• Presented:– Papers and posters, at international conferences, project

meetings, and project reviews

Margarita DekoliRecent work

Project Scratch

Lifelong Kindergarten

MIT Media Lab

A graphical programming environment for kids and novices

to create their own games, animation and interactive art

Youth at after-

school centers

(Computer

Clubhouses)

aged 10-18 and

all novices in

programming

Logo, Lego/Logo, Squeak/Smalltalk

Interactive Image Filters

I developed the interactive versions of two I developed the interactive versions of two image filters: the water ripple and the image filters: the water ripple and the

pointillize. pointillize.

Both were written in C++ and packaged in a dll Both were written in C++ and packaged in a dll for purposes of efficiency.for purposes of efficiency.

Image Editor

•Fat bits mode (zoom)Fat bits mode (zoom)

•Tools functionalityTools functionality

•Undo Undo

File dialogs

•Designed file dialogs Designed file dialogs & dialog boxes& dialog boxes

•Added access to Added access to project notes and project notes and author nameauthor name

•Dynamic creation of Dynamic creation of the layout based on the layout based on constructor inputsconstructor inputs

On-line help

Made example scripts for Made example scripts for every block (command)every block (command)

showcasing Scratch’s showcasing Scratch’s functionalityfunctionality

and minimizing the and minimizing the dependency on other blocksdependency on other blocks

Additional UI features

Interactive tools

Dynamic highlight

Component library functionality, and layout

Previous Projects

CodaChrome, MIT Media LabE-Slate, CTI, GreeceXenios, CTI, Greece

C3, CTI, Greece

CodaChrome software & hardware

I designed the UI and developed the I designed the UI and developed the CodaChrome software in Java 2 and used the CodaChrome software in Java 2 and used the Java Comm API for the serial communication Java Comm API for the serial communication

with the hardware.with the hardware.

I custom designed the three color palettes I custom designed the three color palettes used.used.

The LEDs are programmed by dragging and The LEDs are programmed by dragging and dropping color patterns into the timeline dropping color patterns into the timeline

(bottom part of software)(bottom part of software)

The timeline is populated based on how many The timeline is populated based on how many LEDs are connected to the microcontrollerLEDs are connected to the microcontroller

Electro-Jewels made with CodaChrome

E-Slate: a platform for interoperable software components

Choose from the Choose from the list of available list of available E-Slate E-Slate components …components …

……and connect them to make a microworld.and connect them to make a microworld.

Here is a simulation microworld, where an agent roams around the globe driven by the velocity & direction vector

The components

exchange data through

their connected plugs

color-coded based on

the type of data.

For example, the Vector

exports vector data to

the agent’s Direction

and velocity plug which

is also of vector type.

Music software components

Musical Transformer: translates a Musical Transformer: translates a drawing into a midi sequencedrawing into a midi sequence

Audio & Midi Recorder/PlayerAudio & Midi Recorder/Player

Audio & Midi Sound ComponentsAudio & Midi Sound Components

I developed these software components in I developed these software components in Java using the Java Media Framework API Java using the Java Media Framework API

and QT for Javaand QT for Java

Xenios: Software for Foreign Language Learning in Greek High Schools

Students take a virtual travel to countries across Europe, plan their stay, Students take a virtual travel to countries across Europe, plan their stay, book their trip and go sightseeing on a double-decker bus (left) and visit book their trip and go sightseeing on a double-decker bus (left) and visit the zoo (right).the zoo (right).

I authored all of Xenios’s 14 microworlds in E-Slate I authored all of Xenios’s 14 microworlds in E-Slate using also Java and JavaScript. using also Java and JavaScript.

I developed the web site with the on-line educational I developed the web site with the on-line educational materials including scripts in JavaScript for on-line materials including scripts in JavaScript for on-line exercises and games.exercises and games.

I was the editor and co-writer of the support materials I was the editor and co-writer of the support materials produced for the xenios softwareproduced for the xenios software

C3: Children in Choros and Chronos

CC33 was a research project focusing on the spatio-temporal cognition of was a research project focusing on the spatio-temporal cognition of young children. It involved the design and implementation of educational young children. It involved the design and implementation of educational activities around map reading and constructing, navigating and activities around map reading and constructing, navigating and wayfinding. wayfinding.

I coordinated the implementation of the activitiesI coordinated the implementation of the activities

I performed the market search for the hardware I performed the market search for the hardware configuration (differential GPS, real time GPS data configuration (differential GPS, real time GPS data transmission over a wireless GSM network, transmission over a wireless GSM network, integrating it into E-Slate)integrating it into E-Slate)

Oversaw the development of VRML models for our Oversaw the development of VRML models for our two test sites and incorporated it into E-Slate.two test sites and incorporated it into E-Slate.