Profile - Donald Sawyer Master of Science (MS) in Software Engineering, University of Minnesota; Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science, Saint Cloud State University What is your approach to teaching? I'm a part-time adjunct instructor with 15+ years of industry experience in the software field. I currently work as a Lead Business Intelligence Engineer at Target, and I own my own software company. As a former Anoka-Ramsey student, I am pleased to be able to carry on the tradition of excellence in computer science at Anoka-Ramsey. It is my goal to bring relevant knowledge along with professional development to the courses in computer science. What inspires you as a teacher? I am inspired by the opportunity to help students grow and become successful engineers to advance the IT industry. One key book that shaped my software engineering mindset was Clean Code. Most of my inspirations came from Anoka-Ramsey faculty when I was doing PSEO: Tim Wrenn, Lance Lund and Mark Omodt really shaped my academic journey and were all reasons I wanted to teach at Anoka-Ramsey.

How would you describe what happens during one of your most successful classes? During a successful class, students are highly engaged in working through complex algorithms as a class and maybe even catching a mistake I might make while writing out an algorithm. What makes your curriculum interesting or valuable to students? The computer science curriculum is interesting to students because they learn how to solve incredibly complex problems and create real-world software solutions using various programming languages. There are a myriad of solutions to any software problem, and students can use their creativity to try to find different solutions to the same set of problems. How do you think students describe your teaching methods and classes? Hopefully, they don't find them boring or confusing. I do try to bring some lightheartedness to help make lectures less stuffy. What are some ways that you help students succeed when they need extra help? I like to stay after class or labs when time permits.

I try to ask questions that will get them to think about the problem further without giving out the answer. I am eager to respond to questions over email or at office hours. I've written some example software programs for students to use for their own learning purposes. How do you help your students get the most out of your class? I try to be as responsive and approachable as possible, so students can use their curiosity to learn about computer science deeper than what is taught in lecture. ikea poang chair guaranteeI bring some real-world problems to the class to show examples of how material relates to my day-to-day job.beach chair rentals grand cayman I have a beautiful wife and two adorable daughters who are very patient with me.ikea poang chair colors

I used to be an amateur triathlete and completed the Florida Ironman in 2008. I'm a die hard Saint Cloud State Husky hockey fan. Meet Our Students and AlumniYour computer probably has a microphone in and, while they’re ok and are getting better, their small size often means that the sound isn’t especially good. It's probably enough for video chats or occasionally sending off messages, but if you’re looking to do anything more or regular, getting something devoted can make all the difference.best ergonomic chair for petite If you’re looking to record conversations between a number of people, lay down a track from either an instrument or a computer, or make your own podcast or radio show, then a standalone microphone is best. used wheelchair van torontoBut if you want a new microphone for video chat or playing games, then a headset works better. table and chair rental novi mi

We’ve collected our favourites of each. 1. Audio-Technica AT2020: £125, amazon.co.uk The USB version of Audio-Technica’s well-loved microphone, this is a versatile piece of kit. Its wide frequency response means that it can pick up high and low sounds with huge clarity and its rugged construction makes it a solid portable option. 2. Apogee MiC 96K: £189, gak.co.uk Sending out super-high-quality sound, this is a perfect way to record anything you need to, quickly, and is clever and well built to ensure that it’ll always sound great. It’ll plug straight into youriPhone or iPad, as well as your Mac. This microphone’s spherical box captures an equally round sound – ideal for recording just for a podcast, or a whole band. It sounds great, looks distinctive and easily connects with Macs or PCs through their USB ports. With the right connectors, it can also plug into an iPad or iPhone. Shure’s microphones are the stuff of music legend – they’re standard issue at gigs and in recording studios – and this puts its best condenser mic engineering into something that will plug straight into your computer’s USB ports.

The Yeti’s eye-catching body hides some brilliant technology. The quality of its sound makes it good for voice-overs, podcasting and music recording – special modes let it work differently if it’s recording a big group or just one voice. It’s bigger than some competitors but if you’re staying in and need high-quality audio, this will do the job wonderfully. This packs in much of Sennheiser’s best audio technology – like virtual surround sound – and sticks a great microphone on the front. Perfect for gaming, where you’ll be able to hear and shout at people with crystal clarity. 7. Samson Meteor: £55.56, amazon.co.uk This will slot into your bag, so you can record when out and about. When you fold out its collapsible legs and put it on the desk, the sound is great. The broad frequency response means that it’ll pick up voices, bass instruments and shrieking equally well. This is a simple headset, meant mostly for talking to people over the internet.

As such, it’s not one recording but it’s perfect for having a chat in noisy places or if you Skype regularly. If you’re on a budget, there’s a cheaper version with just the one ear cup. 9. Samson UB1: £70, gak.co.uk This small, round microphone is specially built to pick up whatever’s going on around it. As such, if you’re looking to record a panel, a conference meeting or just a discussion between a few people, this will pick it all up. If you’re looking for a traditional style, now slightly retro, computer mic, this is the one. Mounted on a long stick for easily adjusting to wherever is most comfortable to talk into, this connects into your computer’s microphone input and has noise cancelling so that it won’t pick up too much unwanted sound. The Snowball takes many of the features of more expensive models, at a fraction of the cost, and sticks them in an interesting little box. With great frequency response for catching high and low sounds, and a wide range so that it can record a busy room as well as one voice, it’s a perfect solution for every situation.