Welcome

About this course

     As each day passes and society around us changes, so this course changes, especially as the use of the computers changes. A certain degree of flexibility is built into the course to allow responses to new programs, policies and technologies. There are two primary goals. One is explore the appropriate use of computers with students in education, and a second is to enhance our skills with a variety of software, typically common.

     You, I believe, should be in charge of your education, especially as adult learners. As adult learners you must juggle many roles beyond being a student, such as that of a parent and bread winner. You have actively made the decision to take this course and have paid good money for this education. Therefore, I practice considerable leniency regarding deadline balancing your needs and the expectation with which I will access your performance. While deadlines may be flexible, my expectations of your achievements are not. It is therefore your responsibility to complete this course and reach for those expectations.

About your instructor

     My bachelors degree is in mathematics and after graduation and a year of graduate work, I worked for ten years as a mathematician programming computers and establishing computer systems in Alaska. The next fifteen years were spend in a remote part of Alaska near Denali, also called Mt McKinley, North America's highest and arguably the most beautiful mountain, raising our family of three children and making wooden toys. As our children moved on, I accepted the position of director of student activities at Jamestown College, my Alma Mater in North Dakota. Three years later we moved to Oregon where I earned my MS Ed-IT at Western Oregon University. Since graduation I have taught at Chemeketa Community College and here at Western.

     Currently we live in the foothills of the coastal range a short drive from WOU. Here we built our dream home which we share with our dog and several farm animals including Joe, a miniature horse who thinks he is a big loveable dog. Back in Alaska our oldest son works on the North Slope, On the other end of the continent we have two infant grandsons and in the center of the continent we have two young granddaughters. With Medicare as a part of our life style, we cherish our family and friends, which includes our students.