Who am I?
Although I graduated from Cal
Poly in 1994, I still remember what it is like to be a student. I found
a passion for developing effective teaching and learning tools, while
working at the Faculty Multimedia Development Center as a student assistant
in 1993. While developing the Vascular Plant Taxonomy Interactive CD,
I would remember all those hard courses I took, and how effective a tool
like this would have been. Being a student who learns well with visual
and interactive tools, I could see first hand how these tools can assist
in a students learning efforts. I knew that my desire to go into commercial
graphic design had changed and the desire to make learning easier and
more exciting prevailed.
I worked with two programmers to develop the first ever Cal Poly web site. When a web site was created in notepad or SimpleText and only displayed text with the newest addition of images (small .gif files).
While creating courseware for faculty, I have learned a lot about plants, animal science, architecture, anthropology, human heart anatomy, business terms, and much more. I have also gained the knowledge needed to create these tools by research and self-teaching.
While working in the lab managing and training students, I found I had a lot to teach others about web design and multimedia development. I started holding workshop on Photoshop, Director, Astound, and PowerPoint. I found that not only did I enjoy developing multimedia, but I also enjoyed teaching multimedia. In 2000 the college of Art and Design offered me a temporary lecturer position were I taught ART 487 Designing for the World Wide Web for two quarters. Again, wow…something else I found that I think I can make a difference in. I find sharing and educating people very awarding and through out my career I have done just that.
Although I use instructional design skills daily, I gained a certificate in Online Teaching and Learning so that I had formal education on the topic. A couple more years later I recieved a Masters of Science In Education (Option: Online Teaching and Learning) in June 2007.
My passion for usability has steered me towards educating myself in user interface design (books, workshops, conferences, etc.) and ADA compliance (books, workshops, conferences, etc.).
I have been an Instructional Designer at Cal Poly for over fifteen years. Within these years I have worn many hats: I teach multiple workshops on effective teaching and learning with technology, have been a Blackboard Administrator for over 9 years, teach online (Redesigning Your Course for Online), and I am currently playing a key role in the Technology Initiative (hybrid course development) at Cal Poly.