Matrix Magic



Paula Edmiston @ Matrix Magic


Some scheduling information

Interests

Information Management and collaboration on the Internet related position. Working with a very wide range of people and projects. Applying skills at managing multiple projects. Explaining difficult computer and Internet concepts to newcomers.

My special interests include information architecture, complex web site navigation, and identifying and applying ready-made CGI scripts and javascript applications. I am particularly skillful in conducting research on the Internet as well as in commercial databases such as Dialog.


Work History

Projects, past and present

Online staff development courses for the Fulton County Schools Staff Development. (Atlanta, GA)


Computer Consultant, 1985 - present
Asheville, NC and Atlanta, GA
Specializing in exploration and tool use on the matrix of the net
  • Beginner and advanced classes on the Internet.
  • Design and maintain sites on the World Wide Web
  • Online research.
  • Design and conduct workshops in the use of software.
  • Current classes include applications software for DOS, Windows and Macintosh computers.
  • Install and configure hardware and software.
  • Consult on software selection and application.
  • Software experience includes database management, graphics, interactive video, spreadsheets, word processing and telecommunications.
  • Experienced with Apple, Macintosh, CP/M, DOS and UNIX operating systems.
  • Experienced with a variety of printers and interface cards.
  • dBASE and FOX programming for original systems and alterations to existing systems.
  • Software trouble-shooting, on site and over the telephone.
  • Small business bookkeeping, file organization and cataloging also available.
  • Since 1992 a local newspaper, Mountain Xpress, has used a program I created, Kalu, to manage their billing, subscriptions and planning for advertising layout. Kalu produces a variety of reports for the accounting, layout and sales departments and for the publisher.

Research Associate: Georgia Tech Research Institute, 1999 - 2000
Consult on various projects. Created most of the content for Foundations for the Future, an industry and government funded project to provide technological assistance to K12 educators. Also, in development, Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health Resource Center.

Webmaster: Mountain Xpress, 1998 - 1999
Design and maintain the web site for this weekly newspaper. Special interests include CGI applications, navigation and information architecture in complex web sites.

Adjunct Associate Professor, 1995 - 1998
Computer Science Department, University of North Carolina at Asheville.
Design and teach classes on computer software and on using the Internet.These classes are taught in a variety of computer labs on a variety of platforms.

Instructor, 1995 - 1997
Math department, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, NC
Design and teach classes in computer software and on using the Internet. Work closely with faculty, teaching them how Internet resources can enhance the pedagogical processes of course development. Internet demonstrations for the First Year Seminar Program.

Programmer and Systems Manager, 1988 - 1999
Mountain Xpress, Asheville, NC
Created and maintain Kalu, a business system to track accounting and newspaper layout, in Fox Pro

Director, 1990 - 94
The Alternative Reading Room, Asheville, NC
Responsible for all aspects of this private library: administration, reference, fund raising and operations. Created bibliographic and mailing systems in Fox. Extensive use of the Internet for research and exploration. The first free public resource for Internet use and training in Asheville.

Systems Manager 1990 - 92
Green Line, Asheville, NC
Managed computer systems for an environmental newspaper (renamed Mountain Xpress). Responsibilities included maintaining AppleTalk network, troubleshooting software, file conversion between Macs, DOS and CP/M machines. Maintained data and accounting systems.

Librarian, 1989 - 90
Blanton's Junior College, Asheville, NC
Responsible for all aspects of library management and services. Created extensive procedures manual and computer systems for cataloging and acquisitions management (in Fox).

Reference Librarian, 1987 - 88
Ramsey Library, UNC-Asheville
Provided reference services, served as principal database searcher and informed the Ramsey library faculty about computer applications in the Public Services Division. Extensive use of Dialog databases and the Internet. Evaluated and updated the print collection of online search guides, compiled and analyzed statistics on online service; selected software and trained library staff in its use; trained staff and patrons to use of the computer-based LS/2000 catalog.

Paraprofessional Librarian, 1985 - 1987
Various positions of increasing responsibility in Atlanta libraries, including the Georgia State University Library, Atlanta Public Library and the Emory University Library. Created a dBASE program for the Atlanta Public Library's Foundation Center to track foundations in Georgia.


Education

M.Ln. Library and Information Management, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 1985
A.B. Anthropology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 1981
Honors Thesis, Departmental Honors
Margaret Hall School 1972
Versailles, KY



Publications/Presentations

    • Treadwell, T., Ashcraft, D., McVeigh, K. & Edmiston, P. (2003). Using on-line collaboration and peer project guides to encourage constructivist learning. Workshop presented at the annual conference on Advancing Teaching in College Classrooms and Campus Cultures held in Harrisburg, PA.

    • Communication Tools for Online Collaboration, a presentation to the American Psychological Association's 1999 Mini convention on Education and Technology, Boston, MA.

    • Finding Funding Sources on the Internet, a workshop delivered at the 1999 Funding Sources for Technology in Education conference in Atlanta, GA.

    • Working Online: Presentations made at the 1999 Resources for the Electronic Classroom Symposium, West Chester University, Pennsylvania.

    • "Tarragon at the Edge of the Sea", in Culture of Cyberspace. NY: New Observations. Winter 1999.
    • Incorporating Ready-Made CGI Scripts into the Curriculum. A presentation at the Teaching With Technology Symposium, West Chester University, Pennsylvania, May 7, 1998.
    • Moderator for ACLU Forum: Freedom of Speech on the Internet. December 9, 1997.
    • Negotiating with the Data, in Being Online: Net Subjectivity. Edited by Alan Sondheim. NY:Lusitania Press. 1997.
    • Quoted in "Scholars Debate the Pros and Cons of Anonymity in Internet Discussions." By Lisa Guernsey. The Chronicle of Higher Education. XLIII:6 October 4, 1996. pp. A23-24.
    • "Patterns in Urban Food Ways: an Example from Early Twentieth-Century Atlanta" in Archaeology of Urban America: the Search for Pattern and Process. Edited by Roy S. Dickens, Jr. NY: Academic Press, 1982, pp.381-398.
    • "Zooarchaeological Remains" in Archaeological Investigations at Horseshoe Bend, National Military Park, Alabama. University of Ala.: Alabama Archaeological Society, 1979, 187-195.

Professional Activity

Internet Constructions

Academic Home Page http://www.cs.unca.edu/~edmiston/

Jim Sanders, Atlanta Attorney
We built this site to serve as a resource for Jim Sanders and their associates. It contains a number of server side applications to facilitate distance working.

Teachers on the Net
A distance learning course developed and conducted for K12 teachers in Fulton County Georgia.

The Environment, Safety and Occupational Health Resource Center http://maven.gtri.gatech.edu/esoh/
For the Electro-Optics, Environment, and Material Lab at the Georgia Tech Research Institute.

Foundations for the Future (in development)
A resource for K12 educators using the Internet and other technologies in a learning environment. For the Electro-Optics, Environment, and Material Lab at the Georgia Tech Research Institute.
http://maven.gtri.gatech.edu/foundations

Internet Course Syllabi
UNCA: http://www.cs.unca.edu/~edmiston/csci121.html
Warren Wilson: http://www.cs.unca.edu/~edmiston/wwcsyl.html
The Class Page: http://www.cs.unca.edu/~edmiston/class.html

Computer Software Syllabi
UNCA: http://www.cs.unca.edu/~edmiston/classes/96spring/syl126.html
Warren Wilson: http://www.cs.unca.edu/~edmiston/wwc-mat103.html

The Warren Wilson College First Year Seminar Demonstrations
http://www.cs.unca.edu/~edmiston/wwc.html

Athenaeum: an Academic Talk Site
http://www.cs.unca.edu/~edmiston/talker/

FTP Site of Teaching Resources
ftp://ftp.cs.unca.edu/pub/davidson/

Black Mountain College Museum and Arts Center
http://www.cs.unca.edu/~edmiston/bmc.html
Cited in Utne Reader, Oct. 96, p. 25.

Mountain Xpress

Member of the faculty team of the Collaborative Learning and Research Project, West Chester University, PA.
Manager of the series of Webboards for student - faculty communication.

Mailing Lists

Counterpoise, a list for the Counterpoise Advisory Board, 1997-
Netjournal, a list for my Internet students, 1995-
Explore-net, an international list of Internet inquiry and exploration, 1995-97
Paula-Kin, a family list, 1995-

Memberships

Boards
  • Advisory Committee of the Alternative Press Center, Baltimore, MD
  • Associate Editor: Counterpoise, an American Library Association review publication covering alternative press publications

Mailing Lists
  • OERG-L, On-Line Educators Resources Group
  • Nettrain, Internet training
  • Spiderwoman, Web Page Development
  • Pandoraz, on women, design and the Internet.

http://matrixmagic.com
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