Welcome. This site captures my papers and research I completed as part of obtained my masters degree. I have professionally worked for over 25 years in the Software Engineering and Information Technology fields. I have held software engineering positions ranging from Software Engineer in Embedded Systems Programming, Senior Software Engineer in Windows Desktop Programming, Application Architect, Solutions Architect, Security Domain Architect, Enterprise Lead Architect, Technical Development Manager, Software Engineering Manager, and Director of Software. My Personal Home Page and Professional Portfolio can be found here. Outside of my studies and professional work I enjoy my English Springers, sports, computers, playing guitar, and listening to music.
My Motivation to Teach
My motivation to teach computer science at the college level can be best summarized from the following opinion pieces found in SD Times.
"When Bjarne Stroustrup, the designer of C++, decries the training of software developers in our colleges and universities, we need to do something about it. Bjarne believes that “few students see code as anything but a disposable entity needed to complete the next project and get good grades. Much of the emphasis in teaching encourages that view.” Ouch! He advises students: Programming is part of software development. It doesn’t matter how fancy your code is unless it solves the right problem and you can explain it to others. So brush up on your communication skills. Learn to listen, to ask good questions, to write clearly and to present clearly. Serious programming is a team sport; brush up on your social skills. The sloppy fat geek computer genius semi-buried in a pile of pizza boxes and cola cans is a mythical creature, best buried deep, never to be seen again."
SD Times Short Takes 1/1/2009
“What are computer-science students taught: To write software. Where are many newly hired programmers assigned? Code maintenance. Maintaining existing software is the quickest way to get up to speed, not only on the codebase itself but also on corporate coding practices. By studying the code base, and then by making small, incremental changes (to make patches or implement minor feature changes), developers gain essential knowledge and valuable experience. Yet with only rare exceptions, students aren’t taught how to maintain code by studying a code base, rooting out bugs, or adding incremental functionality. Maintenance is not perceived as being interesting and also does not lend itself well to the way that computer science is taught: in discrete semester-long courses focused on specific narrow topics. This is a shame. For years, employers have complained that computer science graduates lack the skills needed by businesses. Learning Java for four years by writing fresh programs is not exactly a good model for success in the corporate world, where few folks, if any, ever get to start a project from scratch. Sure, sometimes that is the case. But for the bulk of nine to five programmers, you are not working on new code; you’re working on old code. We propose a new course for all computer science majors. This course would be of code maintenance.”
SD Times Latest News 4/1/2010
My Action Research Project and Curriculum Designs
My Masters program Action Research Project was focused on solving some of the curriculum gaps in our University Computer Science and Information programs. My complete Action Research Project can be accessed here. My curriculum designs and a complete online Web Applications Design class (lectures and hands-on programming labs) that I designed can be found here.
My Academic Profile
My academic profile can be downloaded here.
My Education and Training
Masters in Education/Adult Education and Training, 2008-2011, University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science/Electrical Engineering, 1979-1982, DeVry University
30 Years of Experience in Software Engineering and Information Technology
Owner of 5 Software Patents
TOGAF v8 Certified
TOGAF v9 Accredited Training
My Experience
- 2014 Java Programming training program at American Express (6 month program)
- 2012 Java Programming and Software Design mentorship program at Redlfex (6 month program)
- 2011 Curriculum Design and Training Class at Redflex - Web Application 101 Design Class (20 hours)
- 2010 Curriculum Design and Training Class at AAA-NCNU - AAA Cares Resume Writing Class (4 hours)
- 2009 Curriculum Design and Training Class at AAA-NCNU - AAA Cares Interview Preparation Class (4 hours)
- 2009 Curriculum Design and Training Class at AAA-NCNU - AAA Cares Resume Writing Class (4 hours)
- 2009 Curriculum Design and Training Class at AAA-NCNU - Java EE/SE Best Practices Class (4 hours)
- 1982 Teaching Assistant at DeVry Institute of Technology (2 years)