Meet Pat Eaton,
Instructional Technology Specialist,
UW-Parkside


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.


Thanks, Pat!

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