John Binzak

Biography

John Binzak is an educational game designer and researcher completing his PhD in the Human Development area.  His work explores questions at the intersection of neuroscience, cognitive development, and education. From brains to games, John applies his interdisciplinary approach to study how students learn mathematical concepts, and the impact of educational multimedia, such as video games, in this learning. In recognition of his work, John received the 2018 Exceptional Trainee Award by the International Mind, Brain, & Education Society.

Education

• S. Educational Psychology, University of Wisconsin – Madison, 2016
• Ed. Mind, Brain, & Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education, 2012
• S. Psychology & Neurobiology, University of Wisconsin – Madison, 2010

Research Interests

John’s research follows two strands of inquiry. 1) How does the visual complexity and context of educational media impact learning math and science? 2) How can we use interactive digital media (e.g. video games) and data from these experiences as research tools to understand learners’ abilities in real life contexts?

Selected Presentations

• Binzak, J.V., Matthews, P.G., Hubbard, E.M. (2019, June). Confidence counts: Relationships between math dispositions and fractions knowledge. Poster presented at the 2nd Annual Meeting of the Mathematical Cognition and Learning Conference, Ottawa, Canada.
• Binzak, J.V. (2018, October). From Brains to Games: Investigations of Symbolic and Nonsymbolic Ratio Processing with fMRI and Gameplay Data. Talk presented at the International Mind, Brain, and Education Society Conference, Los Angeles, CA.
• Binzak, J.V., Toomarian, E.Y., Matthews, P.G., & Hubbard, E.M. (2018, July). Fractions War: An iOS game to measure and train magnitude processing with fractions. Poster presented at the 40th Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society, Madison, WI.
• Binzak, J.V., Toomarian, E.Y., & Hubbard, E.M. (2017, March). Overlapping Neural Representation of Magnitude Support Understanding Nonsymbolic and Symbolic Fractions. Poster presented at the 24th Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Neuroscience Society, San Francisco, CA.
• Binzak, J.V., Anderson, C.G., J., Kumar, V., Jordan-Douglass, A., & Berland. (2016, August). Comparing gameplay across formal and informal contexts.  Extended Abstract presented at the Digital Games Research Association and the Foundations of Digital Games Conferences, Dundee, Scotland.