ALEXANDRA CARTER
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Curriculum Vitae

Published author with experience in research in multiple languages (German, French, Spanish, and Latin), analysis, thematic and conceptual development, critical review, and design, with a focus on analysis and creation of immersive environments, play spaces, and curricula.  

Skills:
Research
Topics of expertise include:
  • European and U.S. Modern History (19-20th centuries)
  • World’s Fairs and Exhibitions
  • Spatial Theory
  • Game Design
  • Strategy and Military Games
  • History of Toys, Games, and Play
  • Anthropology of Play
  • Education and Curriculum
  • Childhood Development
Analysis and synthesis of written, visual, architectural, and digital archives, primary and secondary sources, interviews, and field research to write papers and articles.

Thematic and Conceptual Development
  • Development and analysis of theme, look and feel, and narrative of park, resort, and E-ticket programs
  • Analyzed content and skills standards to develop and implement integrated, cross curricular programs based on underlying themes
  • Developed and implemented concepts for board, card, and roleplaying games to teach fundamental concepts and reinforce skills for students ages 8-18
  • Research and conceptual design for museum exhibit on utopian urban planning in East Germany
  • Developed conceptual framework and materials for history teaching units on “architecture as argument,” web-based curriculum on World’s Fairs, and other topics  
  • Designed and programmed online learning modules for post-graduate students implementing best pedagogical and web-design practices

Critical Analysis and Review
  • Published work on: toy and game history; anthropology and history of play; design and implementation of role-playing games in the classroom
  • Presentations on: game analysis; analysis of narratives and ideologies present in public spaces and museums; anthropology of play; and varied topics in education
  • Wrote multiple successful research grants
  • Led team in development of 100-page report of analysis of school for accreditation, including identifying key institutional goals based on analysis of report
  • Presented research, analysis, and recommendations as Math Curriculum Committee chair, leading to adoption of new school-wide math program

Art and Design
  • Games (board, card, military strategy, role-playing): developed concepts, rules systems, and elements (three-dimensional contour maps, fully illustrated boards, cards, and pieces)
  • Character sculpture based on published and invented characters
  • Character design for comic books  
  • Paper mache sculpture and piñata construction
  • Designed and illustrated marketing maps and guides for school
  • Yearbook layout and design

Work Experience:

​​Concept Developer
Self-employed. 2018-present
current clients include: Walt Disney Imagineering. 
 

Digital Curriculum Developer and Programmer

Fuller Seminary, Pasadena, CA 2018-present

Teacher                                  
Barnhart School, Arcadia, CA. 2015-present.                        
Waverly School, Pasadena, CA. 2006-2015.

Teaching Associate                            
UCLA and GCC. Los Angeles and Glendale, CA. 2006-2010.

Researcher and  Intern                
Wende Museum, Los Angeles, CA. 2010.

Oral History Interviewer
UCLA, Los Angeles, CA. 2009.

Research Assistant and Curriculum Developer
National Center for History in the Schools, UCLA 2007-2012

Publications/Presentations 
​

“Sites of Exteriority: the Influence of Medieval English Gardens on Russian Political and Religious Representation,” 2007, UCLA. (presentation)
“Twilight Struggle and the Quest for Domination and Historical Representation,” 2008, European Science Foundation, Sweden. (presentation)
“Power and Progress: Imperial and Bourgeois Expression and the Vienna World Exposition of 1873,” 2008, UCLA. (presentation)
“Experience and Imagination: Utopia and Dystopia in the Urban Landscape.” 2009, UCLA. (presentation)
“The Littlest War of the Worlds: H.G. Wells and the Genesis of the Wargame.” 2009, Historicon, Lancaster, PA.
“Can Conflict be Fun? Issues in Creating an Accurate and Playable Representation of History.” 2010, Digital Creativity. Taylor and Francis, UK.
“Playing with Gender: The Role of Play and Space in Children’s Gender Socialization in Cross-Cultural Contexts.” 2010, UCLA.  (presentation)
“Using Games to Integrate Elementary Curriculum: A Dungeons and Dragons Case Study,” 2012, Serious Games and Edutainment Applications. Springer-Verlag, UK.  
“Monopoly,” 2011. The Thirties in America. Salem Press. Pasadena, CA.
“Recreation,” 2011. The Thirties in America. Salem Press. Pasadena, CA.
“Mah Jongg,” 2012. The Twenties in America. Salem Press. Pasadena, CA.
“The Trivial Pursuit of History: A comparison of California, US National, British, and Japanese History Standards in Education,” 2013, Alliant International University. (presentation)
“Toys,” 2014. The Social History of American Families. SAGE. Thousand Oaks, CA.
“Barbie,” 2014. The Social History of American Families. SAGE. Thousand Oaks, CA.
“Playing to Learn: Designing Role-Playing Games to teach Academic and Social Skills,” 2018, Irish Conference on Game-Based Learning, Cork, Ireland (presentation)
“Book review: Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy (2016) Cathy O'Neil and Automating Inequality: How High-Tech Tools Profile, Police, and Punish the Poor (2018) Virginia Eubanks” 2018, Journal of Comparative Research on Anthropology and Sociology, University of Bucharest.




Education

Alliant International University, MA in Education, Curriculum and Instruction, and teaching credentials (Social Sciences, English, and Multi-subject credentials)
UCLA. MA and C.Phil in European History
UCLA. Early Childhood Education and Development credits
UC Santa Cruz. BA in History, Magna Cum Laude and Highest Honors in the Major












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