Instructional Technologist at The University of Puget Sound
Greater Seattle Area
- Current
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- Instructional Technologist at The University of Puget Sound
- Past
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- Philosophy Instructor at Clackamas Community College, Oregon
- Senior Managing Consultant at Automated Concepts Inc., New York
- President at The LAN Guide Company, New York (Sole Proprietorship)
- Network Administrator at Weil Gotshal and Manges, LLP, New York
- Network Administrator at Morgan Lewis and Bockius, LLP, New York
- Education
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- University of Pune
- Columbia University in the City of New York
- The University of Texas at Austin
- Connections
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57
connections
- Industry
- E-Learning
- Websites
Randy Thornton’s Summary
I am currently an Instructional Technologist at a private, elite liberal arts college, with extensive background experience both in college teaching and in corporate technology.
My interests are in the appropriate use of technology for teaching and learning, especially in applying web and online technologies, in which I work, research and train extensively. I have an academic interest in traditional and new media theory, postmodern philosophy, and in film.
Randy Thornton’s Specialties:
Using Open Source Learning Management Systems, new media, and Web 2.0 technologies for classroom teaching and learning.
Randy Thornton’s Experience
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Instructional Technologist
The University of Puget Sound
(Educational Institution; 201-500 employees; E-Learning industry)
September 2005 — Present (3 years 11 months)
As Instructional Technologist I support faculty in the pedagogically appropriate use of technology for classroom teaching.
In addition to managing and supporting our LMS systems (Blackboard and Moodle), and other social software servers, I assist faculty in using web pages, presentation tools, and discipline specific software. I advocate for and work with faculty in using open source Web 2.0 tools, including wikis, blogging, audio, video, and social networking tools for teaching.
I also act as liaison generally for faculty in the Humanities and Social Sciences, including researching new applications, acting as ombudsman with the Information Systems department, collaborating with the Library, and advocating for faculty technology needs in general. -
Philosophy Instructor
Clackamas Community College, Oregon
(Educational Institution; 501-1000 employees; Higher Education industry)
September 1999 — August 2005 (6 years)
As a full time adjunct instructor, I was responsible for the teaching of the core Philosophy sequence (Introduction, Ethics, Critical Reasoning) and an Asian Philosophy survey course, on a regular basis. I also taught occasional courses in Asian Religion, Comparative Religion, and Philosophy of Religion.
For two years I also taught integrated Humanities sequences entitled The Humanistic Tradition in the Accelerated Degree Program, a program focusing on world and Western humanities, from Renaissance to 20th century, covering philosophy, literature, history, art history, music and film.
I also received a grant for and developed original curriculum, and the taught for two years, a two sequence course on the role of computers and technology in society, from a philosophical and social perspective. These courses, "Electronic Culture" and "Freedom, Privacy and Technology" were part of the Social Science Inquiry series coordinated with Portland State University. -
Senior Managing Consultant
Automated Concepts Inc., New York
(Privately Held; 201-500 employees; Information Technology and Services industry)
January 1998 — May 1999 (1 year 5 months)
As senior managing consultant I was responsible for the project management for a client base of legal and financial companies. I lead varying teams of technologists and programmers on projects lasting from one to six months to design, program, implement and document custom built solutions.
Projects I managed included PC DOCS document management systems, Lotus Notes, Microsoft Exchange custom programming, and Internet based data transfer systems. I also assisted sales and marketing staff in client relations and gave numerous technology presentations on emerging technologies. -
President
The LAN Guide Company, New York (Sole Proprietorship)
(Sole Proprietorship; 1-10 employees; Information Technology and Services industry)
June 1994 — December 1998 (4 years 7 months)
I worked for myself as an independent consultant in New York from 1994 to 1998, doing projects for major law firms in New York City. My business name was "The LAN Guide Company", and I was part of a group of independent consultants and who did business together on projects.
Technologies I assisted clients with were administration and support for Novell NetWare, Windows NT; system administration and staff training for various email systems (WordPerfect Office, Groupwise, Lotus Notes & Domino, Exchange); document management design and administration (Softsolutions, iManage and PCDOCS); Windows 95 and NT migrations and desktop managment; and disaster recovery planning.
During this time I earned my MCSE. -
Network Administrator
Weil Gotshal and Manges, LLP, New York
(Privately Held; 1001-5000 employees; Law Practice industry)
January 1993 — April 1995 (2 years 4 months)
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Network Administrator
Morgan Lewis and Bockius, LLP, New York
(Privately Held; 1001-5000 employees; Legal Services industry)
December 1990 — December 1992 (2 years 1 month)
Randy Thornton’s Education
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University of Pune
Doctoral Research Grant, Sanskrit 1986 — 1988
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Columbia University in the City of New York
MA, MPhil , Indic Studies, Sanskrit, Linguistics , 1980 — 1986
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The University of Texas at Austin
BA , Philosophy, Classics , 1976 — 1980
- Activities and Societies:
- Elected Phi Beta Kappa, junior year. Special Honors in Latin, senior year.
Additional Information
Randy Thornton’s Websites:
Randy Thornton’s Interests:
Technology and Teaching
Randy Thornton’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- career opportunities
- job inquiries
- reference requests
- getting back in touch
