Todd A. Whittaker

Brief bio

Todd Whittaker currently serves as the Information Technology Program Chair at Franklin University. He has more than 20 years experience in computer related fields and has previously held positions as an associate professor at DeVry University, software engineer at Battelle Memorial Institute, and UNIX systems administrator at the University of Akron. He has extensive knowledge of object-oriented programming languages, design patterns, development processes, systems administration, and technology education. When not writing about himself in the third person, he enjoys spending time with his wife and children, and teaching in a small home group Bible study.

Courses I teach

• ITEC 136 - Business Programming Concepts
• COMP 311 - Object-oriented Data Structures and Algorithms 2

Courses I develop

• COMP 111 - Introduction to Computer Science and Object-Oriented Programming (more...)

  This course provides an introduction to software construction using an object-oriented approach. The student learns and reflects on problem analysis, object-oriented design, implementation, and testing. To support the concepts and principles of software construction, the student will design, code, test, debug, and document programs using the Java programming language. Basic data types, control structures, methods, and classes are used as the building blocks for reusable software components. Automated unit testing, programming style, and industrial practice are emphasized in addition to the object-oriented techniques of abstraction, encapsulation, and composition. (with Jane Sieberth, David Fleig, and Rob Wood)

• COMP 121 - Object oriented Data Structures and Algorithms 1 (more...)

  This course continues the objected-oriented approach to software construction. The student learns and reflects on advanced object-oriented techniques, algorithm efficiency, class hierarchies, and data structures. To support the concepts and principles of software construction, the student will design, code, test, debug, and document programs using the Java programming language. Design principles, I/O, exception handling, linear data structures (lists, stacks, and queues), and design patterns are emphasized in addition to the object-oriented techniques of inheritance and polymorphism. (with Jane Sieberth, David Fleig, and Rob Wood)

• COMP 204 - Principles of Computer Networks (more...)

  Part of the computing infrastructures sequence, this course serves as an introduction to the function, design, administration, and programming of computer networks. Topics include network infrastructure, architecture, protocols, applications, and the OSI networking model. (with Michael Clark and Rob Wood)

• COMP 311 - Object oriented Data Structures and Algorithms 1 (more...)

  This course is the third of four courses using the objected-oriented approach to software construction. The student learns and reflects on non-linear data structures, recursive algorithms, algorithm efficiency, and design patterns. To support the concepts and principles of software construction, the student will design, code, test, debug, and document programs using the Java programming language. Implementation and analysis of sets, maps, balanced binary search trees, heaps, hashing and hash tables, graphs and graph algorithms, and efficient sorting algorithms are addressed. (with Jane Sieberth, David Fleig, and Rob Wood)

• ITEC 136 - Business Programming Concepts (more...)

  This course introduces programming to individuals with little or no programming background. The goal of this course is to introduce the fundamentals of structured programming, problem solving, algorithm design, and software lifecycle. Topics will include testing, data types, operators, repetition and selection control structures, functions and procedures, arrays, and top-down stepwise refinement. Students will design, code, test, debug, and document programs in a relevant programming language. (with Rob Wood)

• ITEC 275 - Computer Networks: Switching Routing and WANs (more...)

  This course covers both the design and basic configuration of computer networks. Using Cisco Systems CCDA© certification as a guide, students will learn about the OSI model, network topologies, Wide Area Network (WAN) technologies, wireless LAN, IP addressing, routing protocols, and network security mechanisms. This course also utilizes simulation software to create a small virtual network on the student's personal computer running Windows XP or Vista. This provides the student interactive configuration experience with the Cisco Systems Internetworking Operating System (IOS) in an isolated environment. (with Michael Clark and Rob Wood)

• ITEC 350 - Windows Administration (more...)

  This course provides the student with an introduction to Windows Server 2008 administration and is structured to assist a network manager or planner in planning, configuring, installing, running, and repairing networks that include a Windows Server 2008. As such, it provides an introduction to server installation, Active Directory, printer management, domains, network clients, security, disaster recovery, fault/error management, and scripting of common tasks. This course also uses virtualization software to isolate the Windows Server 2008 operating system from the underlying host operating system. As such, administrative access to a fast machine running Windows XP or better with at least 2 gigabytes of memory and 40 gigabytes of available hard drive space is required. (with Johnny Chuah and Rob Wood)

• ITEC 400 - UNIX Systems Administration (more...)

  ITEC 400 covers the basic methods of UNIX system administration focusing on installation and configuration of the UNIX kernel, file system, memory, peripheral devices, and network facilities. The course also provides an introduction to the Perl programming language and the role of Linux in current UNIX environments. (with Rob Wood)

• ITEC 450 - Database Administration (more...)

  This course covers a breadth of subjects in Database Administration. Building on the database management systems course, this course covers topics about the configuration, administration and performance of the database engine itself. Using Oracle 10g as a platform, students will learn about installation, configuration, performance tuning, security, disaster planning and recovery, and network connectivity of databases. This course also uses virtualization software to isolate the database server operating system from the underlying host operating system. As such, administrative access to a fast machine with at least 1 gigabyte of memory and 20 gigabytes of available hard drive space is required. (with Mengjie Wang and Rob Wood)

• ITEC 425 - Information Storage Management (more...)

  Individuals, governments, and businesses depend daily on digital information to make informed decisions. The proliferation of this data has lead to increased complexity in information storage and management. The design and implementation of robust storage infrastructures has become a critical piece of the foundations of informaiton technology. This course will explore storage systems, technologies, and networks. Particular emphasis is placed on designing, securing, and managing storage infrastructures that promote business continuity and data retention compliance. (with Rob Wood)

• ITEC 495 - Information Technology Capstone (more...)

  The Information Technology Capstone course encourages teamwork in small groups on a substantial project. The intent of this course is to provide a capstone experience that integrates the material contained in courses required of the information technology major. It also provides an opportunity for students to recognize and evaluate the interrelationship of their general education courses with the courses taken for their information technology major. The capstone course will include discussion about professional and ethical issues related to information technology. Students will also culminate their experiences with an overview of the evolution of computer systems and a look at the near-term future. (with Bill Hochstettler and Rob Wood)

Education

• M.S., The Ohio State University, 1998, Computer Science
• M.S., University of Akron, 1997, Computer Science
• B.S., University of Akron, 1995, Computer Science

Publications

• Bonakdarian, E., Whittaker, T., and Yang, Y., Mixing it up: More experiments in hybrid learning. In The Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges, volume 25.4. Consortium for Computer Sciences in Colleges, April 2010.
• Bonakdarian, E., Whittaker, T., and Bell, D., Merging worlds: When virtual meets physical - an experiment with hybrid learning. In The Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges, volume 25.1. Consortium for Computer Sciences in Colleges, October 2009.
• Whittaker, T., and Liszka, K., Parallel Algorithms for the Third Extension of the Sieve of Eratosthenes, In Midwest Conference on Parallel Processing, August 1999. Winner of Best Paper Award

Presentations

• Whittaker, T., "Mixing it up: More experiments in hybrid learning," presented at the Consortium for Computer Sciences in Colleges South Central Conference, Austin, TX, April 2010.
• Whittaker, T., "Merging worlds: When virtual meets physical - an experiment with hybrid learning.," presented at the Consortium for Computer Sciences in Colleges Mid West Conference, Chicago, IL, October 2009.
• Whittaker, T., and Groff, K., "What is an 'A'? Training Adjunct Faculty Using Grading Rubrics," presented at the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Conference, May 2006
• Groff, K., and Whittaker, T., "Improving Teaching and Learning via Program Review," presented at the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Conference, May 2005
• Whittaker, T., "Aspect Oriented Programming," presented at the Central Ohio XP Users Group, December 2004.
• Whittaker, T., "Aspect Oriented Programming," presented at the Columbus chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Symposium, May 2004