What are my interests?

A bit about me....

My background is a multifaceted mix of the arts and sciences and I have always been drawn to multidisciplinary experiences. I love exploring landscapes of culture and systems of thought, and discovering connections between the seemingly disparate aspects of humanities and physical sciences.

Even as a child, I was drawn to the creative uses of technology, playing with tape recorders and movie cameras. I often would take things apart to see how they worked; sometimes I would even put them back together. Creating sound effects held a particular fascination, much to my parents’ chagrin. I loved to make short movies and radio shows with my younger brother and sister. It was not uncommon for the Rome household to be overrun with the latest production - film sets were built in the garage and the living room became a recording booth. I often think of my parents’ patience and encouragement and hope that is still alive in my teaching today.

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As I grew older I became more involved in music and creative arts, drawn to both performance and production. I loved the technical challenges of audio effects and theater, of creating soundscapes and acoustic environments. I formed a band, and took part in the Los Angeles music scene in the 80’s and 90’s. This led to my greater involvement with the technology of music production, and I eventually built my own electronic recording studio.


In 1985, I received a BA in Philosophy from St. John’s, a small liberal arts college in Camarillo, CA. I then undertook post graduate studies in Music, Linguistics and Child Development at California State University, Northridge. At this time I began teaching music and technology at K-8 schools in Los Angeles.

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In addition to teaching, I also began producing educational resources for multimedia, including composing music and sound effects for the award winning GeoSafari programs. In 1995, I started my own company Tinker-Tunes to provide sound design and music for the education market. Since then I have been deeply involved in both creative arts and educational technology, including studio network installations and software production. I have also guided several schools through the process of migrating to digital record keeping, including systems integration and data management. As an independent contractor, I have designed and deployed systems for McGraw-Hill, Atomic Learning, San Diego State University and several K-8 private schools. Currently I work at Francis Parker School in Linda Vista.

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In 2006, I received the Excellence in Education Award for my work designing an integrated technology program as Director of Technology at Heschel West Day School in Agoura, Ca, presented at the Reagan Library.

In 2009, I was accepted as a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador. This position involves doing outreach for space science missions and working with students and the general public to promote science education.

My professional interests include the role of technology in building communities, designing effective learning environments and methods of information collaboration. I am also intrigued with information architecture, linguistics and semiotics, knowledge management and sociotechnical systems.
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My wife Joanne also shares an eclectic attraction to the two cultures of the arts and sciences. We see no contradiction between the creative tradition of the humanities and liberal arts and the rational expression of the sciences and technology; our lives are mashups of both approaches to understanding and celebrating the world. In many ways, a Master’s in Educational Technology is the natural culmination and integration of both these themes in my life.


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Joanne and I live in Clairemont with our two cats and enjoy being so close to all the natural and cultural assets that San Diego offers. My first computer, an Atari, still holds a place of honor connected to my home studio.