David J Molta

As Associate Professor of Practice in the School of Information Studies at Syracuse University, Dave Molta teaches classes on computer networks, information technology and information systems. Molta also serves as Director of the Bachelor of Science program in Information Management and Technology and also as the iSchool's Assistant Dean for Technology.

Molta began his professional career in the early 1980's at the University of North Texas, working with early PC's and computer networks. He worked for several years as a network engineer maintaining a range of communication technologies including Ethernet, PC-to-host technologies, dialup modem pools, and broadband CATV-based networks. In the mid-1980's, he was involved in the early development of Internet backbone facilities in the State of Texas, including work with the Texas Higher Education Network (THENet) and SESQUINET regional networks. He later became actively involved in the large-scale implementation of first-generation local area networks, including software and hardware. That led him to conduct seminars and tutorials at numerous conferences and trade shows including NetWorld, Networks Expo and ComNet. He also served on program advisory boards for NetWorld and UNIX Expo.

In 1986, Molta was appointed Manager of Academic Computing Services at the University of North Texas, where he guided the University's central network and system services and provided support services to users. In 1991, he left Texas to accept a newly created position as Director of Network Systems at Syracuse University. During the seven years that he held that position, he assumed increasing responsibility for the University's central network and systems environment, downsizing many systems and expanding SU's network from about 500 nodes to over 18,000 nodes.

As a writer and industry analyst, Molta focused on the increasing mission-criticality of enterprise computer networks. After becoming a regular contributor to Network Computing Magazine, he co-founded the Network Computing Real World testing laboratory at Syracuse University in 1993. He worked closely with the magazine's editorial management to expand the magazine's presence on campus, coordinating various activities and recruiting students and other IT professionals to work on editorial projects and facilitating campus presentations by a number of technology industry entrepreneurs. In 1998, Molta began writing a monthly column for the magazine and in 1999, he accepted the position of Editor, and later Editor-in-Chief, establishing editorial direction and managing many editorial processes.

Molta continues to work with students to systematically evaluate emerging network technologies, including mobile and wireless systems and network-based multimedia systems. In his teaching, he attempts to synthesize his real-world experience, garnered both from his technical and management career and his lab-related technology testing, with back-to-basics pedagogy that stresses mastery of core technical concepts, extensive reading of a range of technical and management-oriented publications, and hands-on experience with technology.

Research Interests

Molta's primary teaching interests are focused on computer networking, both at the upper-division undergraduate level and the masters level. He is very interested in pedagogical techniques that provide a broad range of students, with different learning styles, to successfully master technical subject matter. His teaching combines directed reading, traditional lectures, technology demonstrations, and laboratory exercises. Molta's core educational philosophy is that university students pursuing a career in information technology need to develop a combination of key abilities. First, they need to learn to read and comprehend a range of technical materials, learning key vocabulary and concepts and formulating meaningful questions when they confront obstacles. Second, students must become intimately involved in experiential learning, working directly with a range of computer and network technologies in a hands-on manner, both inside and outside of school. Finally, students must develop the interpersonal and group skills necessary to work in the collaborative, project-oriented environment that typify most information technology organizations

Teaching Interests

Molta's primary research interests lie in mobile and wireless information systems and in technology education. In the mobile and wireless area, he is actively involved in a range of applied and market-oriented research. The applied research focuses on interoperability and performance testing of a vast spectrum of wireless LAN, fixed wireless, and wide area wireless infrastructure technologies and associated applications. With respect to market research, he has extensive interests in the impact of mobile communications technologies on individuals, organizations, and society.

Professional Interests

Dave Molta's professional career is somewhat non-traditional. As an Assistant Professor in a non tenure-track position, he serves at the discretion of his supervisor. Molta's research activities are highly applied and his articles are published in trade publications and through other electronic means, including e-newsletters and web sites. Molta takes his academic professional responsibilities seriously and he is actively involved in a range of service-oriented activities, especially those related to technology-oriented curriculum issues at the undergraduate and graduate levels. He is particularly interested in facilitating experiential learning through the development of computer laboratories and associated instructional materials. Early in his career, he was actively involved in major network-related trade shows and was a frequent speaker and member of advisory boards for NetWorld and UNIX Expo. Later, he became more involved in writing and teaching, which reduced the amount of time he had available for external professional activities. He has written for Network Computing Magazine since 1991 and also served in management positions with that publication. He continues to play an active role in steering the publication's overall editorial direction and developing the unique university lab partnership that makes Network Computing's hands-on focus so compelling. Molta enjoys speaking at informal events and at industry trade shows and maintains regular interactions with major technology manufacturers.

Personal Interests

Most of my spare time revolves around family-related activities including active involvement in youth sports, where I coach baseball and basketball teams. I also enjoy the outdoors, especially boating and fishing.