Name: Sam Easterby-Smith
Date of Birth: 28 December 1978
Email: me@samscam.co.uk
Phone: 07957 432004
Location: Manchester
2004-current
I currently work for CETIS at the University of Bolton. CETIS exist to support the development of e-learning across the University sector with a particular focus on interoperability standards and SOA. We are principally funded by JISC to represent the UK-HE sector on standards bodies as well as provide services to other JISC-funded projects and the community at large.
Officially my job title is Standards Implementation Support Officer - to provide technical guidance to Universities engaging in JISC-funded software development work. These projects are mostly specialised e-learning tools or toolkits to improve integration between existing systems. In reality this means that I:
I have been interested in computers since an early age, programming in BASIC on Apple IIs and Amstrad CPCs from the age of about 4. I got access to Mac and a copy of Hypercard in 1987 and read the Hitch Hikers Guide around the same time. I've never looked back...
Lead programmer, 2001-2004
Can Studios Ltd is a small firm specialising in producing online learning materials. Can also produced software for creating and delivering such materials under the brand of Canvas Learning. role in the development of the e-learning standards and specifications which underpin the software. My role as lead programmer involved me in both these aspects of the business ending up with me being primarily responsible for the Canvas authoring tool.
The work on the CanvasLearning tools gave me the opportunity to be involved with development of e-learning interoperability standards, particularly IMS QTI, a specification for the transfer and delivery of interactive assessments.
Subsidence Unit Coordinator, 1999 - 2000
Providing administrative and IT support to the subsidence unit staff. Development of distributed data management systems and other tools. Other tasks included staff performance monitoring, reporting at director and client level, accounts, and SQL.
aka "The Priory" (1998 - 1999)
One of Lancaster's finest ale houses. Part time bar staff. It was marvellous.
(1998)
I worked at my former secondary school for the 6 months following my stint in Romania. While there I was involved in general administration work as well as fundraising and tracking down alumni.
(1997-1998)
English Language teaching in a Romanian high-school in Bucharest, working with 11-14 year olds as part of the GAP scheme.
(1997)
I operated the Morecambe Bay Polo Tower for the summer season. A 160 foot tower with a mechanised cabin in which punters could ascend to enjoy the view. I had three buttons to press - rotate, up, and stop. It went down automatically.
A levels: Maths, French, Physics, General Studies
GCSEs: Maths, French, Science (dual), Electronics, English (dual), Geography, Latin
Extra-curricular highlights: Star Trek Society, Yearbook, Gilbert & Sullivan, Sailing, running, cycling...
I didn't go to university when I was supposed to. Instead spent my time working and gaining experience. I have not given up the idea completely and have been discussing working on an M-Phil at Bolton.
A am part of an electronic music collective known as The Bellerophon. We have recorded copious quantities of music, played gigs, produced our own zine and made special pieces for radio, theatre and film. There is a lot of archival and digitisation work to be done. The Bellerophon is available for weddings funerals and bar mitzvahs. See www.bellerophon.org
This is my own solo remixing effort. I enjoy mashing up incongruous things. See www.missmyheartbeats.com
As a boy I sang in the Lancaster Priory Choir. I have not sung since doing G&S at school.
I've always enjoyed taking pictures - I got a second-hand SLR while at school and carried it everywhere. At some point I learned to do darkroom work and remain a fan of classic black and white films and papers... however I've now joined the digital age - it's quicker, cheaper and your hands don't get rotted by developer fluid.
As a child I was involved in a number of professional theatre productions.
Theatre in Education projects and Conferences including a residency in Hodge Hill School, Birmingham and a major international conference in Amman, Jordan.