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Ken Rafanan

Research Social Scientist

Ken Rafanan is a Research Social Scientist at SRI's Center for Technology in Learning.

Ken's research interests include technology enriched learning environments, the use of narrative as a learning/knowledge support mechanism, youth development, and informal learning environments.

Ken has been involved in the development and programming of informal learning spaces including community technology centers (CTCs) for nearly a decade. In the early 1990s as a volunteer for Plugged In, a pioneering CTC in East Palo Alto, California, Ken co-wrote the organization's first adult-focused computer literacy curriculum. He later directed OpenVoice, a non-profit youth development agency where youth staff produced a youth-focused web media property. At OpenVoice, Ken developed, produced and managed educational projects for clients including Sun Microsystems and AT&T Foundation.

Education 

• M.A., Education (Learning, Design & Technology Program), Stanford University, 2003
• B.A., German Studies, Stanford University, 2002 (class of 1993)

Professional Experience 

• Research Social Scientist, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA (2004-present)
• Math and Computer Instructor, Children's Health Council, Palo Alto, CA (2004)
• Educational Research Consultant, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA (2003-2004)
• Executive Director, OpenVoice, East Palo Alto, CA (2001)
• Transportation Planner, City of Menlo Park, Menlo Park, CA (1994-2001)

Current Projects at CTL

• Adaptive Expertise in Second Life (InnoQ)
• Build IT: Girls Building Information Technology Fluency Through Design (Staff)
• Cyber-Enabled Design Research to Enhance Teachers' Critical Thinking Using a Major Video Collection on Children's Mathematical Reasoning (Staff)
• Evaluation of Kids’ Survey Network (Staff)
• Intel^® Getting Started Course Program Evaluation (Staff)
• Intel® Learn Program Evaluation
• Scenario-Based Learning (Staff)
• SimCalc
• Speech Technology Enhanced Assessment of Mathematics Modeling (STEAM)
• SunBay Digital Mathematics (Staff)

Past Projects at CTL

• Bridging Professional Development ended 2009
• ChemSense ended 2005
• CLTNet: Centers for Learning and Teaching Network ended 2008
• Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Educational Technology Interventions (EETI) ended 2007
• Putnam City (OK) Handhelds Evaluation Project ended 2006
• Routes to Learning ended 2004
• Technology & Math Learning Strategic Alliance ended 2006
• TechPALS: Getting Fractions Right with Technology-Mediated Peer-Assisted Learning ended 2008

Publications

• Roschelle, J., Rafanan, K., Bhanot, R., Estrella, G., Penuel, W. R., Nussbaum, M., Claro, S. (2009, October). Scaffolding group explanation and feedback with handheld technology: impact on students’ mathematics learning. Educational Technology Research and Development, doi: 10.1007/s11423-009-9142-9.
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• Swan, K., Vahey, P. Kratcoski, A., van ‘t Hooft, M., Rafanan, K., and Stanford, T. (2009). Challenges to Cross-Disciplinary Curricula: Data Literacy and Divergent Disciplinary Perspectives. Presented at the Annual Conference of the American Educational Research Association, April 2009, San Diego, CA
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• Koch, M. (2006) Build IT curriculum. Featured in Consumers Guide to After School Science Resources at http://www.sedl.org/cgi-bin/mysql/afterschool/science.cgi?location=search&show_resource_id=45
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