I would like to take the time, here in my introduction, to thank my classmates for all the lively discussions, debates and disagreements we've had throughout my studies, all of which made me reconsider my opinions and several of which changed my perspective in valuable ways.

I'd also like to say thank you to my professors, whose feedback and advice over the last two years have been invaluable tools for learning. A good guide can make any trip an adventure.

Finally, it would be arrogant to say that what I've learned in the MDE program came from within me or solely from my own interactions. I need to say thank you to everyone who has worked in education and DE for the body of knowledge they have left behind for students like myself to study. As Isaac Newton once said: "If I have seen further it is only by standing on the shoulders of giants."