blog – dan watkins

February 27, 2021February 27, 2021

Almost Three Years Later….

Hello again interwebs, my blogging is certainly the stuff of legends, perhaps a movie option will be forthcoming. Just thought I’d drop in and write another post for the intrepid explorers who happen upon this blog. Not sure how you arrived but take solace in the fact that you can read everything on this page in less time than watching a TikToc.

I sit in my home office as I’ve done since March of 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic swept through the nation. Realistic optimism of life getting back to somewhat normal is in the air as more people receive vaccinations.

During this time our family have become Survivor fans. We have binged watch every season and we’re working our way through many of our favorites again. If you’ve never watched Survivor do your self a favor and spend some time with the show. It might take a few seasons to really dig into what has made it a phenomenal success but it’s worth it. I have to credit our oldest son Josh who is now 19 for getting us into it.

We have also been fortunate to get a Peloton. My wife Stacey and I have incorporated a ride into our daily routine for all the benefits daily exercise brings. You can say along with Survivor we’ve become Peloton obsessed.

Spending this last year with our kids, watching Survivor and getting into exercise on a daily basis would be the silver linings to this pandemic.

Well now that I’ve caught you up to date I’ll be back some year soon.

August 27, 2018

2 years later…

It’s been approximately two years and one month since my last blog post. Blogging once every two years is a schedule I can stick too! So whats new? Well since your here and reading this I think you’re amazing! Since it seems to me that the market for blogs may have diminished. With the exception of this or that company posting about software updates or pushing marketing. It seems most people are posting on stories on SnapChat, Instagram, and YouTube these days. As for me I’ve started to use Google’s Applied Digital Skills curriculum in my courses. The content and lessons are amazing and several students are using what they’ve learned to land jobs. Happy 2018 Interwebs! I guess I’ll see you in 2020.

July 28, 2016July 28, 2016

youtube channel

I've been using my youtube channel off and on for many years (since 2009) to post and share videos of my kids with family and friends. My kids have also used it to experiment on their own. After completing the google educator training courses I've decided to create and share instructional videos for the courses I teach at Santa Barbara City College on this channel. I expect the quality of production to improve over time. If I'm successful in this endeavor I might create a new channel separating training videos from personal ones. Time will tell...




		
		Posted on July 25, 2016July 25, 2016
communication tool overwhelm
	


	
	
		As you can see I’m not a prolific blogger. I’m hoping to change that in the coming weeks, months, years. I continue to teach Google apps at SBCC. It’s rewarding to have the opportunity to teach and interact with our students.
Technology is changing and growing and such a rapid pace which is both exciting and at times overwhelming.
One of the most challenging aspects for me personally is to find the time to keep up with all the social applications available to us. I’d like an app that updates everything at once and aggregates the information from all the other apps out there: Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. etc.
I also think about how many communication tools we use today: Email, google voice, cell phone, home phone, texting, instant messaging, and video conferencing (Skype, Zoom, Facetime, GotoMeeting, Webex. etc.), blogs, vlogs, forums.
It wasn’t that long ago we only had a phone in our homes attached to a cord. And it took a week or more to send a letter…
	


	



		
		Posted on July 25, 2016
bio – narrative
	


	
	
		I am currently serving as the Director of Information Technology: Infrastructure & Systems at Santa Barbara City College, where I’ve been both an employee and faculty member for over 15 years. I live in Santa Barbara with my wife, Stacey, and two sons, Josh and Ben. I am passionate about teaching and learning computer applications that make our lives richer.  I volunteer at organizations committed to improving the well-being of others in our community such as the Channel Islands YMCA Association, the YMCA Youth & Family Services Branch, United Way, SBCC Foundation, and the Alzheimer’s Association.  When I am not working, writing, teaching, or volunteering you will find me spending time with friends and family, swimming, reading historical & science fiction, camping, and playing games or watching videos, movies, etc.  on my ipad.