I have been interested in computers for over 20 years now. I bought my first IBM-style computer in 1987 for $5000, equivalent to about $10,000 in today's currency! It had 640 kilobytes of memory, a 30 megabyte hard drive, ran on Windows 1.0 seen on a small green screen. My present computer has 1500 times as much memory, 100,000 times more disk space and runs 250 times faster. And most of it is 3 years old.
I have worked in a variety of computer related roles including network manager and database programmer (using Foxpro for DOS) for a law firm and Microsoft Access), and later, as an independent consultant, in the support of small businesses where I specialised in devising the most efficient and safe combinations of hardware and software for my clients and in database programming using Microsoft Access. My biggest project was the development of a total law practice management package from time billing through to automatic invoice and statement creation, trust account management, file management, bank account reconciliations - everything all in one package. I have done a lot of VBA programming, particularly in the customisation of Microsoft Word.
The fact that I came into computers as a user rather than as a technical expert, has helped me look at things from the user's point of view. It is a source of real satisfaction to see users confidently enjoying the efficiency and functionality which has been provided for them.
It is interesting and exciting to think how computers might be used to help in education. Students like computers and use them a lot, especially for games and multimedia playback. However it is hard to find excellent educational software: if the amount of money which was spent on game development was spent on educational software I believe we would move into a new era of education, with some of the problems of relevance, motivation and achievement for all resolved. This represents a challenge for the future.
In the real world, I think one of the problems preventing wider use of computing is that teachers are much too busy to (a) become computer literate and (b) develop and explore the possibilities which have been made available by technology, on top of all the other work that has to been done, the preparation and marking, the forms to fill and the meetings to attend, the pastoral care, the discipline follow-ups and the sports practices - and a few lessons to teach as well.
In this section of my web-site there are will soon be a few things I can share with others. The emphasis will be on what may be truly helpful to busy people.