This month, TTT's regular column "Meet the Experts"
features Pat Eaton, UW-Parkside's representative to the Learning Technology
Development Council.
TTT:
Please describe your work at UW-Parkside.
PE: When asked to describe my position, my one sentence
response is "I am a liaison between computers and users." My
position as an Instructional Specialist falls under Information Services
(IS), Instructional Technology Support Department (ITS). As part of the
ITS team I provide instruction/support for the campus endorsed applications,
such as: the Microsoft products, Web Authoring tools as well as email,
our Student Information System, Course Management Systems, and more. Our
campus uses Blackboard and WebCT Course Management Systems; I act as the
site-administrator for both of these systems. Facilitating technology
for faculty staff and students is interesting, varied, and many times
overwhelming, but always enjoyable.
TTT: How long
have you been in your current position?
PE: I've been in this position for six years. Looking back six
years, users were eager for help with email and the Internet. We've come
a long way!
TTT: What do
you enjoy most about your job?
PE: Most of all I enjoy working with users to solve their technology
issues. It's great to work in an environment with interesting people and
so many opportunities.
TTT: What's
the most memorable thing that has happened to you at this job?
PE: Six years ago I started working with one particular faculty.
She was a reluctant computer user. Our relationship started with her calling
me every time she received an email attachment. She would always say "I
don't want to know how to do this for myself, just print the attachment
for me". To make a long story short, she is now using Blackboard
to enhance her courses and also creates and maintains both Program and
Departmental Websites. I would say she is one of our leading advocates
for integrating technology into the classroom. We often joke about how
far she has come.
TTT: What do
you enjoy doing in your free time? Any hidden talents you'd care to tell
our readers about?
PE: The joy of my life is my family. My husband and I have three
daughters--two are married with families of their own and the third will
be married this coming October. Our two married daughters have given us
six grandchildren in eight years. Our house is always full and usually
in some state of bedlam, we wouldn't have it any other way. My husband
and I have a small general contracting business, which runs out of our
house and requires what free time I might have. My free time fantasies
are to travel, read a book for pleasure, and to rekindle my love of camping,
hiking and cross-country skiing.
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