The purpose of my sabbatical (subject to revision and experience!)

This is my original sabbatical statement.

During my sabbatical I want to learn the following things:

· What can I learn from Thailand’s People PC initiative and what assistance can I provide from my experience in the creation of the Information Technology Specialist program?

· How are IT training needs being met in Thailand? How is IT training resulting in practical skills that meet real personal and specific needs?

· I want to see how the UAF/ITS program, and curriculum apply in an international context. Have we created a useful set of curriculum and competencies? Will my skills and experience be useful in Thailand?

· I want to know if there are things we can learn from Thailand’s efforts to bridge the digital divide? Are there specific techniques and methods that can improve the ITS program? Are there things we can learn from Thailand to improve the delivery of IT training in Alaska?

· Many of the goals, the technology methods and the strategies that Sukhothai Thammathirta Open University has developed in Thailand are similar to the challenges of CRA and CDE. I want to learn from the similarities and differences between the two contexts.

· I want to apply the experience that I have in Alaska to a different context. I want to expand my perspective and to see new techniques. I want to learn new ways to meet the needs of adult students in acquiring and applying computer skills.

· I want to see how computer support, security, and virus protection is being provided in Thailand, especially in rural areas and in areas of poverty.

· I want to see new uses of technology including the integration of cell phone technology with computer applications. The cell phone in Thailand is a revolution.

· I want to see how the Linux and Microsoft Windows operating systems are competing in Thailand.

Since I wrote this, a year ago, my intent has changed slightly. I am especially interested in how adults are learning basic computer skills and how are they applying computer skills to their daily lives. I am interested in both applications and in the use of the Internet. By adults I mean people 30 years and older. This is a tentative idea, but it will be my initial focus for my sabbatical.