AZ Projects before 2015

This is a historical list of projects I worked on professionally (or just for fun) before 2015. This is mostly interesting to me. Major public projects that I worked on since 2015 are captured in LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azeckoski/

Projects before 2015 (most recent at top):

• Apereo Learning Analytics Processor (Open source learning analytics processor framework (initially for student risk early alert prediction)) 
  - Lead, Architecture, Java/​Spring/​Hibernate/​REST/​Kettle/​Weka Development, Performance, Integration, Open Source
• Java LTI starter app (Open source IMS LTI 1 and 2 based starter (sample) application written using Java and Spring Boot ) 
  - Lead, Architecture, Java/​Spring/​Boot/​Security/​JPA/​LTI Development, Integration, Open Source
• Apereo Learning Analytics Initiative (Community initiative to build an open source learning analytics stack) 
  - Founding member, Leadership, Architecture, Community management, Open Source
• LearninGateway learning system (SaaS social learning platform designed to integrate with institutional LMS and cloud services) 
  - Lead, Architecture, Angular/​PHP/​Slim/​REST Development, Performance, Integration
• Unicon Sakai Open Source Support and Sustaining engineering (Open Source community development and support subscription program for clients) 
  - Area lead, Java/​Spring/​Hibernate/​JSF/​JSP/​Javascript/​Sakai Development, Client relations, Summits, Docs, Open Source
• Sakai Project Management Committee (PMC) (Technical leadership for Sakai Open Source Learning System - since 2011) 
  - Product direction & planning, Leadership, Governance, Community management, Sakai development, Open Source
• Sakai Core Team (Core committer and maintainer for Sakai Open Source Learning System - since 2008) 
  - Architecture, Java/​Spring/​Hibernate/​JSF/​JSP/​Javascript/​Sakai Development, JIRA management, Core review, Code quality, Open Source
• Sakai Kernel (Core Sakai Services Framework) 
  - Architecture, Java/​Spring/​Hibernate Development, Code review, Code quality, Docs, Open Source
• Sakai Programmers's Cafe (Training and Docs for Sakai developers - since 2006) 
  - Lead, Training workshops, Wiki/​Docs, Java/​RSF/​JSF/​JSP/​Spring/​Hibernate/​Sakai Development, Demo/​Sample code, Presentations, Open Source

• APUS Sakai Scaling (Sakai horizontal scaling, cluster caching, and session fail-over) 
  - Lead, Architecture, Java/​Spring/​Hibernate/​REST/​Terracotta/​Sakai Development, Performance, Debugging, Docs, Open Source
• Cambridge University Press LMS Analysis (CLMS performance and architectural analysis and recommendations) 
  - Architecture, Java/​PHP/​MySQL/​Moodle/​Sakai/​Drupal/​AWS Development, Performance, Debugging, Docs, Support
• Sakai/Kaltura Video Tool (Integrates Sakai with the Kaltura video platform, 3rd version offers new features and deeper data integration) 
  - Lead, Architecture, Java/​JSP/​Javascript/​Spring/​Hibernate/​REST/​Sakai Development, Performance, Docs, Deploy, Open Source
• 2014 Apereo Program Committee (Conference program planning) 
  - Technical Track Lead, Proposal Review, Session Scheduling
• Macmillan HigherEd Learning Systems Integration (Course and results integrations between Macmillan learning systems and Institutional client learning systems) 
  - Architecture, PHP/​Slim/​REST/​SOAP/​LTI/​SSO Development, Angel/​Brainhoney/​Blackboard/​Desire2Learn/​PearsonLearningStudio/​Sakai/​Moodle/​Canvas Integrations, Docs, Performance, Support, Debugging, Deploy, Administration
• Glasslab Games (2013 Release) (Game-based SaaS learning system designed to integrate with institutional LMS) 
  - Lead, Architecture, Java/​Groovy/​Grails/​Javascript/​Angular/​MySQL/​Mongo/​AWS/​S3/​LTI Development, Performance, Tuning, Support, Docs, Deploy
• i>clicker Moodle Integrate (Moodle CMS block to integrate with the i>clicker classroom response system) 
  - Lead, Architecture, PHP/​REST/​SOAP/​Javascript/​Moodlerooms/​Moodle Development, Docs, Deploy, Open Source
• i>clicker Sakai Integrate (Sakai tool to integrate with the i>clicker classroom response system) 
  - Lead, Architecture, Java/​Spring/​Hibernate/​REST/​SOAP/​Javascript/​Sakai Development, Docs, Deploy, Open Source
• English360 Language Learning System (SaaS Learning System for ESL with pre-built content from multiple publishers) 
  - Lead, Architecture, PHP/​Cake/​Javascript/​REST/​Apache/​AWS/​S3/​CF Development, Performance, Client relations, Docs, Deploy, Administration
• Unicon Sakai Test Drive (Unicon Sakai Demo system for client adoption) 
  - Java/​PHP/​REST/​Sakai Development, Customization, Docs, Open Source
• Entity Broker (Flexible entity system for Sakai with RESTful data interactions) 
  - Lead, Architecture, Java/​Spring/​REST/​API/​Kernel/​Sakai Development, Docs, Open Source

• Glasslab Games (Alpha) (Game-based SaaS learning system - initial pilot version) 
  - Lead, Architecture, Javascript/​Node/​EJS/​Express/​Mongo/​AWS/​S3/​LTI Development, Docs, Deploy
• USU Sakai Tools enhancements (Sakai gradebook 2/assignments 2 features and fixes for USU) 
  - Lead, Architecture, UI, Java/​GWT/​RSF/​Javascript/​Spring/​Hibernate/​Sakai Development, Docs, Open Source
• Brainhoney LMS Architecture Analysis (Brainhoney LMS standards compliance and architecture analysis) 
  - Lead, Architecture, LMS/​SCORM/​IMS/​LTI/​CC/​CP/​QTI Analysis, Code review, Docs
• Docuseek 2 Architecture Advising (Advice on integrating Docuseek 2 with Media and Learning Systems) 
  - Lead, Architecture, SSO/​OAuth/​LTI/​REST Development, Security
• APUS Sakai Support (Sakai developer/admin training and 2.9 upgrade support) 
  - Lead, Java/​Spring/​REST/​Sakai Development, Code review, Docs, Support, Open Source
• Sakai/Kaltura Media Gallery 2 (Sakai tool to integrate with Kaltura video platform, 2nd version adds features and improves performance) 
  - Lead, Architecture, Java/​JSP/​Javascript/​Spring/​Hibernate/​REST/​Sakai Development, Docs, Deploy, Open Source
• Unicon Sakai Cooperative Support/Development (Community source development and support subscription program for clients - until 2013) 
  - Tech lead, Java/​Spring/​Hibernate/​JSF/​JSP/​Javascript/​Sakai Development, Client relations, Summits, Docs, Open Source
• 2013 Apereo Program Committee (Conference program planning) 
  - Technical Track Lead, Proposal Review, Session Scheduling
• Kryterion Blackboard/Moodle proctoring integration (Integrations between Kryterion proctoring system and Blackboard LMS/Moodle CMS) 
  - Lead, Architecture, PHP/​Java/​JSP/​Moodle/​Blackboard Development, Code review, Docs
• Kuali OLE Architecture Analysis (Architectural and tech stack review, recommendations, and fixes) 
  - Lead, Java/​JSP/​SOLR/​JCR/​Spring Development, Performance, Code review, Code analysis, Advice
• Amplify Learning System (Custom Learning and Scheduling System for Mobile/Tablet) 
  - Java/​Grails/​Spring Development, Advice
• Nucleus Academic Sakai (Customized Sakai with Scormcloud integration) 
  - Java/​Spring/​SCORM/​Sakai Development, Advice
• Kaltura Sakai Demo server (Customized Sakai server with Kaltura integration for client Demos) 
  - Lead, UI, Javascript/​Shell/​Sakai Development, Docs, Admin, Deploy
• USU Samigo Calculated Question feature (Added Calculated question type to the Sakai Samigo Assessment Tool) 
  - Lead, Architecture, UI, Java/​JSF/​JSP/​Javascript/​Spring/​Hibernate/​QTI/​XML/​Sakai Development, Docs, Deploy, Open Source
• USU Samigo Extended Matching feature (Extended matching question type in Sakai Samigo Assessment Tool to allow one-to-many and distractors) 
  - Lead, Architecture, UI, Java/​JSF/​JSP/​Javascript/​Spring/​Hibernate/​QTI/​XML/​Sakai Development, Docs, Deploy, Open Source
• UC Berkeley Evaluation System (Sakai Evaluation Tool features and community fixes for UC Berkeley)
  - Lead, Architecture, UI, Java/​Spring/​Hibernate/​RSF/​Javascript/​Sakai Development, Docs, Support, Open Source
• Duke Gradebook SIS link (Sakai Gradebook customizations to send grades to Duke SIS) 
  - Lead, Architecture, UI, Java/​Spring/​JSF/​REST/​XML/​Javascript/​Sakai Development, Docs, Open Source
• Wake Forest Sakai Upgrade (Sakai 2.8 upgrade and customizations - TurnItIn, AS2, GB2, etc.) 
  - Java/​Spring/​Maven/​SVN/​Sakai Debugging, Support, Docs, Deploy
• University of the Arts Sakai SIS integration (Custom Sakai UARTS Colleague SIS course enrollments data loader) 
  - Lead, Architecture, Java/​Spring/​Hibernate/​JSF/​JSP/​Javascript/​Sakai Development, Debugging, Docs, Deploy
• University of the Arts Sakai Upgrade (Sakai 2.7 upgrade and custom tool installs) 
  - Lead, Java/​Spring/​Maven/​SVN/​Sakai Debugging, Support, Deploy
• Cambridge University Press LMS Debugging (Sakai/Moodle hybrid system debugging and analysis) 
  - Java/​PHP/​Apache/​Moodle/​Sakai Debugging, Analysis, Support
• Pratt Institute Moodle Tuning (Moodle CMS and server performance tuning) 
  - Lead, PHP/​Apache/​Moodle Tuning, Performance, Support
• Connecticut College Moodle Tuning (Moodle CMS Performance and Server Tuning) 
  - Lead, PHP/​Apache/​Moodle Tuning, Performance, Support
• Pearson International MyLab (Sakai Learning System customized for Language Teaching) 
  - Architecture, Java/​Spring/​Hibernate/​JSP/​Javascript/​Sakai Development, Requirements, Support
• Ellisdon Liferay (Liferay installation and customization for Ellisdon) 
  - Java/​Portlet/​Liferay Development, Support, Config, Deploy
• UNC Sakai DB migration (Sakai database migration from MySQL to Oracle) 
  - Java/​Sakai/​MySQL/​Oracle Development, DBA, Support, Performance, Deploy
• Wiley Sakai server performance tuning (Sakai server cluster debugging, performance analysis, and improvements) 
  - Debugging, Java/​Sakai Development, Support, Performance, Deploy
• Duke Sakai E-reserves (Sakai Tool to provide access to Duke Library E-reserves) 
  - Lead, Architecture, Java/​Spring/​JSP/​Javascript/​Sakai Development, Docs, Open Source
• Duke Sakai 2.7 adoption (Customizations and setup of Sakai 2.7 for Duke University) 
  - Lead, Java/​Spring/​Hibernate/​JSP/​Javascript/​Sakai Development, Deploy, Docs, Open Source
• Sakai Evaluation System (Tool for program and course assessment and evaluations for Sakai) 
  - Lead, Architecture, Java/​Spring/​AspectJ/​Hibernate/​RSF/​HTML/​Javascript Development, Performance, Docs, Open Source
• Sakai/Kaltura Media Gallery (Integration between Kaltura video platform and Sakai to allow embedded hosted media in the LMS) 
  - Lead, Architecture, Java/​JSP/​Javascript/​Spring/​Hibernate/​REST/​Sakai Development, Docs, Deploy, Open Source
• OAE Kaltura Integration (Integrates OAE with the Kaltura video platform to allow embedded media) 
  - Lead, Architecture, Java/​OSGi/​REST/​OAE Development, Docs, Open Source
• Opencast Matterhorn (Scheduling, capture, encoding, and delivery of educational media) 
  - Architecture, Java/​OSGi/​REST/​JAXRS/​JAXWS Development, Code quality, Docs, Maven Nexus, Open Source
• Steeple Media Portal (Media portal for universities, JISC funded project) 
  - Lead, Architecture, Java/​Grails/​Groovy/​Spring/​JPA/​SOLR Development, Code quality, Docs, Open Source
• Unicon iTunesU Sakai integration for NYU (Integration between Sakai CLE and iTunesU podcasting service ) 
  - Java/​Spring/​Hibernate/​JSF/​JSP/​Javascript/​Sakai Development, iTunesU XML APIs, Docs, Deploy, Open Source
• DSpace 2.0 (Refactoring of the DSpace repository system) 
  - Lead, Architecture, Java/​Spring/​Guice/​JCR/​DSpace Development, Code quality, Docs, Open Source
• Moodle Data Extract for McGraw-Hill (Moodle CMS Block which provides REST APIs to extract data about student learning activities ) 
  - Lead, Architecture, PHP/​REST/​Moodle Development, Docs, Deploy
• Sakai Maintenance Team (Elected lead for technical team from Q1-Q2 2010, charged with maintaining Sakai open source project) 
  - Lead, Java/​Spring/​Hibernate/​JSF/​JSP/​Javascript/​Sakai Development, JIRA management, Code quality, Docs, Open Source
• Reflection Utilities Package (Reflection utilities for Java 1.5+) 
  - Lead, Architecture, Java/​Library Development, Docs, Open Source
• Google Summer of Code Mentor - DSpace REST (REST API and IMPL for the DSpace repository system) 
  - Mentor, Architecture, Java/​REST/​DSpace Development, Code quality, Docs, Open Source
• Darwin Correspondence Project (Charles Darwin's correspondence online and searchable) 
  - PHP/​Perl/​Shell Development, Code quality, Docs, Deploy
• Nakamura (later OAE) Kernel (Core Sakai OAE Services Framework) 
  - Java/​OSGi/​JCR/​JAXRS/​Sling/​Javascript/​Script Development, Code review, Code quality, Docs, Open Source
• CamTools - Sakai @ Cambridge (Integration and extensive customization of open source Sakai learning system) 
  - Java/​Sakai/​Spring/​RSF/​JSF/​JSP Development, Customization, Providers, Cambridge specific tools, Deploy, Code quality, Open Source
• Sakai UX Project (Improving the Sakai 2 User Experience with a new frontend) 
  - Java/​Spring/​REST Development, REST Data feeds for Sakai 2 via EB, Open Source
• Sakai AppBuilder Plugin (Eclipse plugin for Sakai Rapid Application Development) 
  - Lead, Architecture, Java/​Eclipse/​OSGi Development, Docs, Open Source
• RSF (Reasonable Server Faces) (Java Web Framework) 
  - Java/​Spring Development, Code quality, Distributions/​Maven, Training, Community management, Wiki/​Docs, Open Source
• Generic Dao Package (Package for developers to work with persistent objects without writing DAOs) 
  - Lead, Architecture, Java/​Spring/​Hibernate/​Library Development, Docs, Open Source
• Hierarchy Service (Hierarchy entity structures for Sakai) 
  - Lead, Architecture, Java/​Spring/​Hibernate Development, Docs, Open Source
• Sakai JCR Integration (JCR load testing and integration for Sakai) 
  - Java/​JCR/​Jackrabbit/​Sakai Development, Performance, Code quality, Docs, Open Source
• Conference Scheduler (Online conference scheduling for Sakai, supports Adobe Breeze) 
  - Lead, Architecture, UI, Java/​JSP Development, Docs, Open Source
• Recent Activity App (What's New (activity feed) in a Sakai course/site) 
  - Lead, Architecture, UI, Java/​JSF Development, Docs, Open Source
• Sakai Foundation Site tools (Web tools for conferences, etc. related to the Sakai Foundation) 
  - Lead, Architecture, UI, PHP/​Javascript Development, Docs
• Sakai Migration (Migration and Archiving in Sakai) 
  - Java Development, Docs
• Conference Committee and Program Committee (Planning for the Sakai Atlanta conference 2006) 
  - Technical Track Lead, Proposal Review, Scheduling
• Virginia Tech Online Course Support Helpdesk (now OLCS) (Web based support and ticket tracking system) 
  - Lead, UI, Architecture, PHP/​XSLT/​XML/​Javascript Development, Docs, Support, Deploy
• Sakai Skinning Contest (Contest and working group to make a new skin for Sakai 2.2) 
  - Lead, Architecture, PHP/​Javascript Development, Organizing and Scheduling, Community relations, Open Source
• Sakai Requirements (Requirements tracking and polling web app) 
  - Lead, Architecture, UI, PHP/​Javascript Development, Requirements gathering, Community relations
• Vancouver Conference Committee and Program Committee (Planning for the Sakai Vancouver conference and community source week 2006) 
  - Technical Track Lead, Approval and Scheduling, Member
• Scholar (Sakai @ Virginia Tech) (Integration, extension, and customization of Sakai Open Source Learning System) 
  - Lead, Java/​Spring/​JSP/​JSF/​Velocity/​Javascript Development, Customization, Administration, Deploy, Open Source
• Virginia Tech Evaluation System (VT Tool for department, instructor, and course evaluations) 
  - Lead, Architecture, UI, Java/​Coldfusion/​Javascript Development, Administration, Deploy
• Virginia Tech Blackboard Building Blocks (Blackboard learning system custom Building Blocks for Gradebook upload, SIS grades posting, and campus integrations) 
  - Lead, UI, Java/​JSP/​Javascript/​BuildingBlock/​Blackboard Development, Administration, Docs, Deploy
• Faculty Development Institute Tracking System (VT Tool for faculty training courses and equipment management) 
  - Lead, Architecture, UI, PHP/​XSLT/​XML/​Javascript Development, Administration, Deploy
• ePortfolio (Open Source Portfolio @ Virginia Tech) (Integration and customization of open source student portfolio web app) 
  - Java/​Javascript/​API Development, Customization, Administration, Deploy, Open Source
• Software Skills Gateway (VT Auth integration and tracking with commercial gateway) 
  - Lead, Java/​JSF Development, Architecture, Docs
• Atlassian Confluence/JIRA @ Virginia Tech (Management and administration of Atlassian suite) 
  - Lead, Administration, Deploy
• Blackboard Learn @ Virginia Tech (Administration, integration, and configuration of CourseInfo / Blackboard learning system) 
  - Lead, Java/​JSP/​Perl/​BuildingBlock/​CourseInfo/​Snapshot/​Blackboard Development, Administration, Deploy

A brief history of (my recent) time

Aaron Zeckoski is a technology leader recognized for his expertise in educational technologies and learning systems. He is an accomplished change agent, specializing in organizational transformation and team building. His experience includes leading distributed teams (US and international) and working in matrix and community organizations. In his time as a systems architect and engineer he demonstrated expertise in all aspects of web-based product and platform development. He is an open source advocate, a member of open source developer communities, and a major contributor to open source projects such as Sakai LMS, DSpace repository, Opencast Matterhorn, and Apereo Learning Analytics Initiative (LAI).

Aaron is currently Elsevier Nursing & Healthcare Education’s Head of Technology and VP, Software Engineering (since early 2015). He was previously the Lead Architect for Education at Elsevier (since late 2014). He built the education technology department from the ground up; recruiting over 60 technologists in two years. The department specializes in rapid discovery, collaborative innovation, and world-class design. Our delivery highlights include a next generation education platform, NHE’s first machine learning and big data framework, and Sherpath (personalized healthcare learning product).

Before 2015, Aaron mostly worked in higher education technology consulting and innovation (list of projects, presentations, conferences, and training for those curious).
He was most recently a Software Architect and Sales Engineer at Unicon. He also worked as an independent engineering and training consultant and spent time working with and as part of education technology startups.

He was previously a Senior Research Engineer in CARET (Centre for Applied Research in Educational Technologies) at Cambridge University for over three years.

Before that he was the Manager of Application Development and Lead Developer in the Learning Technologies unit at Virginia Tech for five years.

Beginning in 1993, he spent a handful (or so) years at various IT and software engineering related jobs (mostly in the defense industry) including a short tour as an Oracle DBA and a couple years as a network engineer.

More details in linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azeckoski/

Apereo Learning Analytics Processor begins

The Apereo Learning Analytics Initiative is beginning work on our first open source analytics pipeline processor this week. Learn more about Learning Analytics Processor project on our wiki.

Our goal is to build an Open source Java based Learning Analytics Processor (LAP) which initially automates the Marist OAAI Student Early Alerts and Risk Assessment model. We also hope to establish a framework for automation and execution of learning analytics models (which is possible for others to extend with additional model pipelines). Finally we plan to establish input and output specifications for data used for learning analytics model processing.

The Learning Analytics Processor (LAP) is meant to flexible enough to be extended to support many possible models and pipelines for analytics processing. The first one will be Early Alert but we want to support future additions and even multiple versions of the Early Alert model.

We are developing in GitHub: https://github.com/Apereo-Learning-Analytics-Initiative/LearningAnalyticsProcess

Apereo Learning Analytics @ Open Apereo 2014

I and other members of the Apereo Learning Analytics Initiative (LAI) will be presenting at the Open Apereo 2014 conference in Miami the first week of June.

RSF Wiki refactor and AJAX samples

I have spent many hours over the past couple weeks working on the RSF Wiki. For those who are not familiar with Reasonable Server Faces (RSF), it is an open source Java web framework which is based on the Spring framework and supports pure XHTML templating. The Wiki is the canonical source of documentation for RSF and needed a lot of updates and additions to be more developer friendly. After comparing the websites and Wikis for a lot of open source projects I settled on a set of left hand navigation topic areas and links and then started editing. At this point, the majority of the layout changes are complete and it should be a lot easier for developers to get started with RSF.

Along with the refactoring, I also added pages to describe how to use AJAX in RSF. RSF includes the UVB (or Universal View Bus) which makes calling a method in your application code from AJAX and getting back the results easy. Developers will now find detailed notes about how UVB works and the use of the RSF Javascript library. There is also a new RSF sample app which demonstrate a simple autocomplete using RSF and UVB (this is also available as a sample Sakai tool). I encourage anyone using RSF (and even those who aren't) to check out the Wiki and post feedback.