The Start of LDT 467

My name is Rob Peeler and I am taking this course as part of the eLearning Certificate program with full intentions to continue on with the masters program for Learning, Design and Technology. I graduated from Penn State more than ten years ago with a degree in Computer Engineering, however, I didn’t really do anything directly with the degree.

During my final semesters I worked for Kaplan Test Prep & Admissions teaching and tutoring for the SAT exam. I found that I enjoyed that much more than working behind a computer and not interacting with people on a day-to-day basis. Over the next few years I became certified to teach & tutor the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT Verbal, and most of the ACT. My interest in presenting/teaching grew to the point where I became the faculty trainer for central PA and eventually a Faculty Manager for all pre-health faculty in Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. During this time I also worked for a web development firm in State College, PA managing development of a new web tool. All of these interests sort of combined together over the years which helped me figure out my true interest — figuring out ways to better communicate digitally.

An aerial view of Hersheypark.

Photograph by Rob Peeler

Once I figured out my interests I started looking for a career in communications that had a focus of online work, which led me to the Rock Ethics Institute at Penn State. During my tenure with the Rock I built the overall communication strategy to reach not only all of the colleges and campuses within Penn State, but to universities globally. I trained and advised others on best practices and built collaborations throughout the university, with the premiere collaboration featured in Penn State Today, “Ask an Ethicist” articles. Additionally, I photographed, filmed, interviewed, and created the inaugural Rock Salon Podcasts. After four years with the Rock I decided it was time to move on and I now work with the College of Health and Human Development in the College Relations office. I am doing a lot of the same work here that I did with the Rock, just for an entire college.

In my spare time, I’m mainly doing work on the Learning, Design, and Technology program along with the staff development program “Penn State Emerging Leaders.”  When I have time off from work and school work, my wife and I like trying new food & drink by visiting craft breweries, pubs, distilleries, cideries & wineries, and coffee shops. We also like to travel to amusement parks (we’re going to Disneyland in June!), listen to live music and travel to local parks with our dog, Eli.

I look forward to virtually meeting all of you throughout this course and if there is anyway that I can help you with your progress, please let me know.