About David Greenfield

My personal, academic and professional background has been diverse, yet interrelated. I have worked on a farm, served in the military, build houses, trained as an artist, received a degree in history and have been working in interactive media since 1990. All of these experiences have led me to try to make choices that reflect my core values of a deep love of learning and a commitment to making a positive difference to society.

As a painter. I used my work to understand and comment on the relationships between text, images and the human spirit. I was particularly interested in the role of public art in society and education. One project that I am very proud of was time as an artist-in residence at an art center in northern Israel. There I worked with children from the schools of the three main western faiths- Jewish, Christian and Moslem to create collaborative public art that would educate the children to each other and leave a legacy for future school children. In Jewish history, I studied the relationship between historical events and the development of theological and spiritual texts especially relating to ethical actions.

For the past 10 years I have been professionally involved in museums and education, first as the New Media Coordinator of the Skirball Cultural Center and then as Educational Technologist for Hebrew Union College. During this time I have become progressively interested in the role that digital technology plays in enhancing learning environment. I have also been exploring the use of narrative and storytelling as educational models. My academic work is strongly influenced by the work of Howard Gardner in multiple intelligences, Seymour Papert in communities of learning, Janet Murray on interactive media as well as Marc Prensky and Alan Kay. Other creative influences in my thought process include Oliver Sachs, Mel Levine, Ben Shahn, Wassily Kandinsky, Jackson Pollack,

Professional Activities
Since 1999 I have been involved with the annual Museums and the Web conference, a conference that brings together a diverse group of museum professionals from international institutions to teach, learn, share ideas and plan for future technology activities. I have had the opportunity to present papers, lead workshops, chair conference events and judge museum web sites for the best of the web competition.

Interests
Bike riding, tai chi, world music, fine art and museums (any kind), reading (mysteries, philosophy, graphic novels, history), camping and being outdoors in the mountains and desert.

C.V.
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