This month, TTT's regular column "Meet the Experts"
features Andy Speth, UW-Green Bay's representative to the Learning Technology
Development Council.
TTT:
Please describe your work at UW-Green Bay.
AS: I am the director
of the Learning Technology Center, which is a part of User Support in
the Information Services division. Basically, I do whatever is necessary
to enhance teaching and learning with technology. Since Green Bay is a
relatively small campus I have an opportunity to support a wide variety
of activities. I conduct workshops and provide support for PowerPoint
presentations, digital video and audio production, image editing, WebCT,
and a whole lot more. I support a wide variety of web activities, including:
web development, web/database apps, and course presentation. I assist
with instructional design and pedagogical issues.
TTT: How long
have you been in your current position?
AS: I've been with UW-Green Bay for three years and the director of
the Learning Technology Center for two. Before that I was a high school
teacher with a penchant for computer technology in a school district that
supported innovation.
TTT: What do
you enjoy most about your job?
AS: I like the opportunity I have to experiment with new technology
and try new things. Intellectual curiosity is one of the fountains of
youth and this environment certainly fosters that. There's a certain 'rush'
associated with working on a difficult project and finally getting it
to work. I suppose there are chemical and biological reasons that explain
it away, but that rush is still pretty cool.
And, of course, it's
great to work with the people we have here in Green Bay. We have so many
experts in so many fields, both within IS and our faculty. It's an environment
where everyone can be counted on to do their unique miracles and things
come together.
TTT: What's
the most memorable thing that has happened to you at this job?
AS: I could never select one event as the most memorable. I value
the collaborative atmosphere both within IS and the entire campus. The
dedication to teaching and learning is palpable.
TTT: What do
you enjoy doing in your free time? Any hidden talents you'd care to tell
our readers about?
AS: I have several releases that help save my sanity. In particular,
I'm a runner and a home
brewer and I've been doing both for years. I did the math earlier this
spring and found that over the years I've run more than 30,000 miles.
Heck, that's more mileage than I put on my '67 Chevy van. And my brewing--let's
just say I brew for quality and I've got a couple hundred batches under
my belt.
When I want to veg,
I head outside. I can wander for hours in a quiet woods with no cell phone,
GPS locator, palm pilot, etc, and come back completely refreshed. My philosophy
is: If it doesn't matter when I get back, I'm not lost. This summer I
plan to explore the quiet wilds of North Dakota. Yup, North Dakota.
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