I am a history instructor with strong aptitudes and experience in Web design and multimedia computers -- interested in computer technology in either an academic or e-commerce environment. I have devoted my life to communicating with people and finding ways to presenting complex information to others in a user-friendly way. I have over ten years' experience as a teacher and six years' experience using multimedia computers and Web pages for instructional purposes, with a broad range of computer skills that are useful to either e-business or education. I quickly pick up other skills as needed. I have created Web pages and Websites, and touched up, converted, and animated graphics for the Web and for in-person multimedia presentations. I have worked with digital video as well. In addition, I have experience in private industry and with a rapidly growing startup organization. I am a creative, broad-based, idea-oriented person who is skilled in teamwork and helping others in an open, collaborative atmosphere.

-- Work extensively with graphics manipulation, Web page design, multimedia presentations, and instructional software:

Web Design -- Experienced with a variety of WYSIWYG Web editors and HTML text editors, such as Dreamweaver 2 and 3, FrontPage 2000, Web.Designer, Hotdog Pro 5, Webthing, and others. Often code HTML directly.

Graphics -- Use Adobe Photoshop 5.0 and a variety of other graphics programs, including LView Pro, Paint Shop Pro, GIF Construction Kit, Microsoft GIF Animator, Microsoft Picture It! and Adobe PhotoDeluxe, PhotoImpact 4, and Avid Cinema.

Multimedia -- Use Microsoft PowerPoint extensively, and have additional experience with WordPerfect Presentations, Norton Presentation Maker, and Daedalus.

Software Testing and Evaluation -- Tested and utilize various electronic textbook accessories and gradebook software.

Other Areas -- Familiar with other software, including MS Access (with which I designed a database), most word processors and Microsoft Publisher.

-- Fully utilize the Windows 95 and Windows 98 OS and user interfaces, using advanced features such as context menus, control panel settings, other configuration options, and active file management.

-- Extensive personal experience with PC hardware, including internal and external hardware and peripheral installation and configuration. Hardware and peripheral experience includes scanner, CD-rewriter, Jaz drive, and full motion video capture card and hookup.

-- Simulations and Game Design -- Extensive experience with simulation and role-playing games and game design. Designed my own games since I was a teenager, including wargames and role-playing games. Experienced at modelling historical reality in game form.

Game Systems -- Thoroughly overhauled the basic concept of TSR’s Dungeons and Dragons, creating my own fantasy role-playing game based on the best elements of TSR, Steve Jackson, SSI, and other game genres. Became particularly skilled at developing high levels of combat realism in a fast, playable system with a minimal learning curve.

Reality Simulation Systems -- Utilized extensive historical knowledge and an aptitude for probabilities and quantitative analysis to create accurate simulations of societies and societal change, and to create templates to help module designers.

Game Modules -- Designed and led those fantasy role-playing games for diverse combinations of players in multiple simulated "worlds" for over 20 years.

-- Highly developed historical and social knowledge.

-- Extensive troubleshooting, communication, and teamwork skills (see education and teaching experience).

-- Excellent technical, analytical, and historical narrative writing skills.

-- Strong visual and quantitative aptitudes.

-- Management and private enterprise experience.

http://home.earthlink.net/~torenhudson/index.html (Sample pages from online history course that I created and use.)

http://www.stcc.cc.tx.us/divisions/cah/cahdiv.html (Web pages for Communications, Fine Arts, and Humanities Division at South Texas Community College. Created between 1997 and 2000.)

http://www.cypress.cc.ca.us/SocSci/socsci.html (Web pages for Social Science Division and History Department at Cypress College. I created them in 1997, shortly before leaving that college. Note -- these pages may not be available much longer; Cypress is planning to overhaul its entire Website sometime during the Fall 2000 semester.)

Instructor, PowerPoint Assisted and Online History Courses, August 1996 to Present (Cypress College and South Texas Community College)

Prepare and utilize multimedia presentations. Write CD-ROMs for use in classroom presentations. Create World Wide Web pages, Internet projects. Attend conferences focused on the development and use of such materials. Operate discussion forums and chat rooms. Analyzed and improved the testing process using ParSCORE software. Tested and used a variety of gradebook software. At South Texas Community College, I acquired my division’s first scanner and CD-rewriter and worked closely with the Lab-Aide Technician to design and purchase a mobile computerized multimedia unit for the Teacher Education Preparation Program. Additional activities typical of a community college instructor working with a diverse student-body.

Presenter, Staff Development Workshop on Using PowerPoint, February 22, 2000 (South Texas Community College)

Provided hands-on guidance for faculty who are new to PowerPoint or who want further training in its widely varying capabilities. Showed faculty how to create charts and tables, animate text and objects, animate transitions, and run presentations. Led discussion on effective and innovative ways to use PowerPoint in the classroom.

Media Services Taskforce, October 1999 to May 2000 (South Texas Community College)

Worked with Information Technology Services as part of a brain trust for the Director of Media Services to improve the functionality, distribution, accessibility, security, and maintenance of multimedia equipment at all the college’s four campuses. Worked closely with the Director to gather information on new products and services and to test those products and services. Anticipated future needs and develop budgetary solutions.

Chair, Web Page Development and Promotion Committee, April 1999 to May 2000 (South Texas Community College)

Created a team with representatives from each department in the Division of Communications, Fine Arts, and Humanities. Supervised and trained departmental Web page developers. Under my leadership, the team improved and updated Website appearance, functionality, and content in order to increase communication between faculty and staff, and to facilitate information gathering. When I left, the team was in the process of transforming the Web pages into the central electronic communications hub for our division and, potentially, students. I successfully marketed our pages as the home page of choice for faculty and staff in our division.

Web Page Developer for the Division of Communication, Fine Arts, and Humanities, August 1997 to May 2000 (South Texas Community College)

Developed and posted the Web pages for the Division, including all departmental pages. Gathered information on faculty and post their autobiographies. Photographed the division faculty and staff. Scanned, processed, and posted photographs and graphics to accent the pages. Advised fellow faculty and staff in the creation and use of Web pages, in appropriate technology and software, and the broader implications of Internet activity. Worked closely with the college Webmaster to respond to new challenges in the field. Created the division Web Page Development and Promotion Committee to facilitate continuing improvement in the division Web pages and to transform them into the primary communication hub for the division. Website: http://www.stcc.cc.tx.us/divisions/cah/cahdiv.html

Web Page Developer for the Institutional Effectiveness Team, February 1998 to June 1999 (South Texas Community College)

Actively participated in Institutional Effectiveness Team meetings and worked closely with the Office of Institutional Research to help create Web pages that would facilitate communication with people participating in the college-wide institutional effectiveness process. Scanned and touched up photos, coded and posted pages. Website: http://www.stcc.cc.tx.us/~research/ie/ie.html

Presenter, Staff Development Workshop on Using the Internet, September 1998 (South Texas Community College)

Provided hands-on guidance for faculty who were new to the Internet or who wanted extra training in its use. Explained the basic organization of the Internet, its history, and how to gain access. Guided faculty through basic World Wide Web activities, including Web surfing, bookmarking, virus scanning, and both simple and complex searching. Facilitated discussion on Internet lesson plan ideas.

Web Page Developer for the Social Science Division and History Department, January 1997 to July 1997 (Cypress College)

Developed and posted the Webpages for the Social Science Division and the History Department at Cypress College. Developed a client-side image map to show students how to find the Division. Updated the pages as necessary until I left Cypress College for a position in South Texas. Website: http://www.cypress.cc.ca.us/SocSci/socsci.html

Cypress College Web Task Force, January 1997 to Present (Cypress College)

Actively participated in the first stages of planning, coordinating, and creating the official World Wide Web site for the college. Worked in subcommittees aimed at training faculty and staff in Web page creation, developing standards for the college’s site, and troubleshooting miscellaneous other problems associated with such a complex project.

Presenter, Staff Development Workshop on Windows 95, January 1997 (Cypress College)

Provided hands-on guidance for faculty who were new to the Windows 95 operating system. Showed participants how to manage files more effectively and safely, create program groups and icons for DOS applications, and customize the Desktop, Start Menu and other features so that they could access their favorite programs more easily. Suggested specific organizational techniques and offered methods to get older programs to work with Windows 95.

Consultant, Winds of Trade CD-ROM Project, Summer 1996 (Mt. San Jacinto Community College)

Provided creative input regarding maps and graphic illustrations on an educational CD-ROM about early modern trade routes in the Indian Ocean. Advised students working on graphics. Involved teamwork with a historian, a computer engineer, and students.

M.A., U.S. History, University of California at Irvine, 1992
M.A., European History, University of California at Davis, 1988
B.A. (Honors), History, University of California at Davis, 1981

Available Upon Request

Copyright © 1999, 2000 Toren J.F. Hudson