Technology in Education Online

My first experience with computer technology came when I first worked with children with disabilities.  They were beginning to use talk boards to communicate with others.  At the time I was attending San Diego State University working towards my certification as a School Psychologist in the state of California.  My interest quickly turned from psychological testing to usages of technology in education.

I left the field of education and went to work for a company that created a database software program for researchers. I quickly moved from working in their technical support department (learning the ins-and-outs of their software) to becoming the Director of International Sales.  After suffering through the "old fashioned" methods of research I enthusiastically embraced this new method of storing and retrieving journal articles for research.  While traveling the world I trained researchers in both the medical and academic fields in the use of the software products and at the same time expanding our world-wide market.  Upon a return trip from Japan, I learned that our company had been purchased by a company back east and I moved back to the East Coast to work in the main headquarters of the new company.

As my role began to change with this new company, I had the desire to work with children again in the field of education began to grow.  This in large part due to my son's reaching the age of starting school.  I thought what way could I combine my interest in the area of technology with my work with children? I went back to school and got my teaching certification in the New Jersey and took my first job as a computer teacher in a K through 6th grade school district.

Since that time I went onto another school district and became the technology coordinator. While working I went back to school at the University of Delaware and earned my doctorate in Educational Leadership with a specialization in technology. At the same time I went onto to become LOTI mentor certified (as if I didn't have enough to do).  My emphasis of study was to focus on a social constructivist approach in the use of technology in the classroom. I felt too often technology was used but not truly integrated.

Two years ago I felt the need to "practice what I preached" and went back into the classroom as a 5th grade social studies teacher.  Also, I'm an adjunct faculty member at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and conduct workshops/trainings throughout the country. I have been a presenter at numerous conferences around the country and enjoy meeting educators who share my philosophy on what technology should be in the field of education.

If you have any questions or interested in utilizing my expertise, please feel free to contact me at any time.

Dr. Alan J. Taylor, Ed.D.

Technology in Education Online