Although they may not seem related, two of Gerry Santoro's greatest passions are motorcycles and technology. His goal in teaching is to merge the two and provide his students with the skills they need to make consumer electronics and those who design electronics more people-oriented.
He does this as the academic director and lead faculty member of the World Campus associate degree program in information science and technology (IST). Santoro says that Penn State's online program stands out because it teaches information technology (IT) professionals to effectively communicate in the business world. Any IST program, he says, can teach students to set up a computer network, but after completing the World Campus program, they will also know how to set up personal and professional networks with their peers and colleagues. Santoro says students will also gain a better understanding of consumers and how they view technology, enabling them to make the equipment they know and understand more user-friendly.
"The program's distinguishing aspect is its very strong focus on people. What we're not trying to do is create programmers." Santoro, a Penn State alumnus, says the convenience and flexibility of an online degree program work well for many busy professionals who are looking for a quality education. "Distance education allows for a more mobile lifestyle," he explains. "Whether someone travels frequently or is providing for kids, the ideal candidate for the degree is someone who wants to develop a better understanding of technology and cannot attend a regular university setting."
Harley-Davidson is one of the models Santoro uses when teaching because he feels the company has already mastered the art of identifying its customers and making products for them, as it did with his 1940s-style bike. In addition to conveying his personal passion for motorcycles, Santoro says using familiar examples helps him to establish a connection with his students, even though they may be thousands of miles away.
The associate degree program in information sciences and technology also emphasizes what Santoro calls problem-based learning, a learning style designed to give students the fundamental training they need to solve technological problems, even with technologies not yet developed. "The hot technologies of 2015 haven't been invented yet, so we can't teach how to fix them when things go wrong. The nature of the market will continue to change as quickly as technology does." Santoro helps his students develop problem-solving skills no matter what the technology. He also helps them develop communication and leadership skills needed to become successful in a corporate environment.
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