Introductions

[Ted Smith <tedsmith@capital.net>]

An Introduction:
	
My name is Ted Smith and I am taking this distance learning class via
the Internet.  I live just outside of Albany, NY in a suburb called
Delmar.  I have been a professional educator for 24 years (off and on),
having taught junior and senior high school choral music from 1973 to
1986.  I switched to teaching computer science at the community college
level (Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY where our English
classmate also taught) before becoming a full time computer systems
professional and adjunct faculty member at several area colleges.  I am
currently an independent contract programmer solving the problems of the
Year 2000 found in legacy systems used by NY State government.  Along
the way I picked up an MS in Educational Communications (Technology) and
an Ed.D. in Educational Administration and Policy Studies from the
University at Albany.

I am taking this course for multiple reasons:

	The focus of my dissertation research was in the area of school
administrator educational computer expertise and its relationship to a
technology rich school.  Technology Planning is fundamental (amongst
other things), but not addressed in any administration preparatory
studies.  I hope to be able to pass on what I am learning to others in
the field.
	I have advocated for and managed distance learning courses at the
doctoral level here in Albany (via ISDN television transmission), but I
have never been a student at the receiving end.  Can a cohort be
developed and nurtured via this medium?  Can a distance learner achieve
the same level of satisfaction as a student in the originating class? 
How do we handle the problems of all listening/viewing the same course
materials?  I hope to be able to gain practical knowledge as well as be
able to offer my ideas to managing some of these problems.
	Finally, I am a glutton for punishment.  So much to learn and so little
time.  I really enjoy taking courses, keeping up on professional reading
and correspondences, etc.

	I look forward to getting my web page out this weekend and continuing
to interact with you all over the next 15 weeks.