I am director of learning technology.

I’d like to split this answer into two parts; as director, I work with other people such as project managers, illustrators, and other programmers. I enjoy the surprises that pop up through collaboration, especially in the area of programming. It’s fun and edifying (and sometimes inspiring) to get another person’s take on something (and the more familiar we are with a particular process, often the *harder* it is for us to see or be open to other perspectives). As a programmer, I do a lot of logical problem solving. I particularly like the fact that for any one development issue, there could be a myriad of solutions. This is an area where creativity can play a large role. I love solving mysteries and puzzles, but when the solution is in the service of something (like an eLearning application) that can ultimately help somebody learn, all the better!

At a bare minimum, it’s up to me to bring a piece of eLearning (or other technology-based tool) to life. BUT, in terms of being most impactful, the better the design of an application, the less it’s noticed (similar to great sound design in a movie – when it’s at its best, you feel it, but you don’t notice it). I want the learner to be engaged and for their interest to be maintained … but the “Oz behind the curtain” should remain hidden.

Hmmm … that’s a tough one. I’ve always loved to draw and doodle – so on the one hand I think graphic design / medical illustration would be fun, BUT my brain always wants to veer from reality so I’d probably end up drawing things that were more in the Sci-Fi zone …

When not at work I enjoy spending time with my wife Lisa and two sons Max (21) and Teddy (18). Our whole family is into various types of exercise. Sometimes Lisa and I run on the treadmill at the YMCA side by side watching football while our sons lift weights. We also like playing games like poker and chess. And outdoorsy stuff like hiking and kayaking.

We like other people’s dogs (we live in an apartment building in Brooklyn, New York on the top floor so we get to see plenty o’ dogs on the elevator, in the lobby, and outside). And we LOVE our cat Jayce (aka Jaxo Cilantro) even though he tortures us to feed him more at night …

 

Find out more about Adam Griffin and meet the entire Whole Systems team here!