Integrating Technology (ED421) is an opportunity to experience technology as it might be used in the classrooms, to develop one's skills using technology in the classroom and to critically asset the appropriate use of technology in the classrooms. Computer technology is changing on a daily basis and so this course will parallel those changes with new and different topics and ideas, as well as considering the evolution of technology through the decades, and the impact on society today.

About the Instructor

     My bachelors degree is in mathematics. 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 most beautiful mountain, raising our family of three and making wooden toys. As our children moved on, I adventrued into 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 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, cats 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. Just a short distance north of us in Puyallup, Washington, we have two infant grandsons and in the center of the continent we have two young granddaughters. Now with Medicare as a part of our life style, we cherish our family and friends which includes our students.

Some Details About Online Classes with this Instructor

     While many insructors rely on teaching or learning management system like Moodle, I tend to design my own websites. While my websites are not elegant or highly interactive, designing my own websites offers me some creative and flexibility I cherish. I do use Moodle and other websites for functions such as group discussions and uploading assignments.
     So here are the priorities for success in my classes:
• Follow the course website carefully;
     read the syllabus,
          reference the schedule,
               follow the links.
• Use Moodle (register if it's your first visit),
     for discussions,
          for uploadings assignments, and
               perhaps for other miscellaneous tasks.
• Register with gmail.com, as we will
     use the gmail address when registering in other websites,
          possibly uploading assignments into GoogleDocs, and
               perhaps set up a blog in eBlogger.