Here are a few updates from the Management Forum lunch on Thursday.
1. Tuesday, November 25 from 10 to 11 join the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) for cake and coffee in the brown bag area by the Garden Court.
2. The Solutions Task Team will be holding a contest to encourage people to submit ideas for improvement / solutions to problems on campus. If something has been bugging you (and maybe you have a solution), consider submitting it.
3. Rick Buis reported that although the economic situation globally is not good, the College is "ok" financially at this point.
4. The College will soon be hiring an architect to design new student residences (located over by the Barn). If you haven't looked at the proposed campus plan, I think the display boards are still up in the library. It's very interesting!
5. The big rocks at the north end of the Cousins Building are part of a xeriscaping project, another example of the greening of our campus. More work will happen on this next spring.
6. Student services recently conducted a survey of 400 students who left the College last year before completing their programs in an attempt to find out why they left. Initial results of 160 students show that most of them left to pursue other post secondary education.
7. The College has hired a new manager in charge of First nations, Metis, and inuit (FNMI) initiative: Robin Little Bear, and a new HR administrator: Nicki Scott
8. Dean Stetson has agreed to stay on as Director of Student Services for longer than her originally planned so he can help facilitate the budget process and help to hire a permanent replacement.
9. Enmax has announced a full-ride $15,000 scholarship for an FNMI student in the wind turbine program.
We have another Management Forum on December 15, so I'll provide another update then!
Karen
Friday, November 21, 2008
Pictures from Estar University in China
Alan Andron just returned from a trip to China. He took over another 5 courses that EET staff has helped to developed. When he was there, he took a variety of pictures of the classrooms and the university, so have a look. These pictures helped make the project real for many of us who have worked very hard on it.
http://picasaweb.google.com/kgharker/ChinaPictures?authkey=qUPk4fkK298&pli=1&gsessionid=gY58J_Dez3VfUJQTZRXKUw#
Karen
http://picasaweb.google.com/kgharker/ChinaPictures?authkey=qUPk4fkK298&pli=1&gsessionid=gY58J_Dez3VfUJQTZRXKUw#
Karen
Friday, November 14, 2008
Use of Technology in Obama's Election
Interesting article on Obama's use of technology in his election win . . .
Observers have credited Obama's success in no small part to his campaign's innovative use of technology--including blogging, text messaging, and online social networks--to connect with younger voters and get them excited about politics and the election.
To read the article .. .
http://www.eschoolnews.com/emails/esntoday/esntoday111408.htm
Karen
Observers have credited Obama's success in no small part to his campaign's innovative use of technology--including blogging, text messaging, and online social networks--to connect with younger voters and get them excited about politics and the election.
To read the article .. .
http://www.eschoolnews.com/emails/esntoday/esntoday111408.htm
Karen
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Furniture Update
Oh, I'm really catching up on updates this morning. It's nice to have some time to just think!
Last spring we submitted an RFD for furniture for TE3203 (where Amber and Marina currently are), TE3215, and the four offices. The amount we requested was approved last week, so we've moving ahead with planning. The amount we had approved won't cover the cost of everything we need, so Karen O'Dwyer is helping us with some capital funds available for CTLI.
Bryan from Physical Facilities is currently working on a plan, and we can expect to see it next week. When we're approved it, we'll be ordering the furniture. We should have it by late January if all goes according to plan.
I've also submitted all the names of the formatters and media specialists for chairs. Linda Davidson will be in touch soon for some presentations related to this.
One possible hurdle is that Mike, Jonathan, and Ron don't have a place to move to quite yet. We're going to order the furniture anyway in hopes that a solution will be found.
And once we've done this, we'll be moving TE3213 around so it's a more useful collaborative / presentation space for all the work we do! Yahoo!!!
Karen
Last spring we submitted an RFD for furniture for TE3203 (where Amber and Marina currently are), TE3215, and the four offices. The amount we requested was approved last week, so we've moving ahead with planning. The amount we had approved won't cover the cost of everything we need, so Karen O'Dwyer is helping us with some capital funds available for CTLI.
Bryan from Physical Facilities is currently working on a plan, and we can expect to see it next week. When we're approved it, we'll be ordering the furniture. We should have it by late January if all goes according to plan.
I've also submitted all the names of the formatters and media specialists for chairs. Linda Davidson will be in touch soon for some presentations related to this.
One possible hurdle is that Mike, Jonathan, and Ron don't have a place to move to quite yet. We're going to order the furniture anyway in hopes that a solution will be found.
And once we've done this, we'll be moving TE3213 around so it's a more useful collaborative / presentation space for all the work we do! Yahoo!!!
Karen
Claus Cause!
Would you like to come for a walk or run to support a good cause? The Runners Soul Claus Cause (in support of the Food Bank) is on Saturday, November 22 at 9 am in Indian Battle Park. It's a 5 or 10 km run / walk. Entry fee is $15 plus a food bank item - and get this - you will get a new pair of Christmas socks!
It sounds like we have at least one runner (Go Marina!) and several walkers already planning to do this.
http://runnersoul.com/clauscause/
Thanks to Marina and Connie for getting this going. We'll talk about this at our EET meeting on Friday am as well.
Karen
It sounds like we have at least one runner (Go Marina!) and several walkers already planning to do this.
http://runnersoul.com/clauscause/
Thanks to Marina and Connie for getting this going. We'll talk about this at our EET meeting on Friday am as well.
Karen
Innovation Fund Update
On Friday many of you listened to Leanne's presentation on the Mobile Learning Conference she attended in London, England, and then to Dwayne's information on the Innovation Fund.
Yesterday, the LC Steering Committee (Dwayne, Karen O'Dwyer, Frank Whidden, and Peter Leclaire) met with a similar committee from the U of L. This included Trevor Woods (CIO), Dave Hinger (Director of their Curriculum Redevelopment Centre (CRDC)), Kris Magnassun (Associate Academic VP), and Ted (Web Services Manager).
Highlights:
- The proposal is for sure going forward for a mobile learning initiative.
- There was quite a bit of discussion around the device and whether students would be given a new device or would be able to use their own current cellphone. U of L wants to go with the iPhone or iTouch. Advantages include consistency in use for all students and it's a cool tool, etc.; the main disadvantages are that students currently have a device, so this may mean they have two to carry around, and the iPhones / iTouches don't currently have video (iTouch doesn't have a camera either). Perhaps we could do research at LC with one program using the ITouch / iPhone option, and another using existing devices.
- Trevor Woods commented that video apps are available for the iPhone.
- There will be some flexibility for LC and U of L to take different approaches; for example, it sounds like the U of L wants to do a complete first year initiative where all first year students would get an iTouch or iPhone (pay their own data plans). At LC we're discussing the possibility of starting with one or two programs where students would immediately benefit from using a movile device. This would allow us to better support faculty.
- We would need to come up with a support plan for instructors. This could (should in my humble opinion :)) include budget for release time for instructors involved in the project.
- The question of "What would be considered success in this project?" lead to some interesting discussion but no real answers yet. Would we be successful if every first year student could connect with the institution for administrative type information, or would it be successful if students in most courses in a specific program were using the devide to enhance learning on a daily basis?
- This will become a research project as we evaluate the effectiveness of the initiative.
Dwayne is currently working on the next draft with Cathy King, a proposal writer from the U of L; this next draft is supposed to be ready to review by Wednesday, November 12.
I would really appreciate our thoughts on this initiative. It impacts us in many ways, and I'm sure in ways that we can't even imagine at this point.
Karen
Yesterday, the LC Steering Committee (Dwayne, Karen O'Dwyer, Frank Whidden, and Peter Leclaire) met with a similar committee from the U of L. This included Trevor Woods (CIO), Dave Hinger (Director of their Curriculum Redevelopment Centre (CRDC)), Kris Magnassun (Associate Academic VP), and Ted (Web Services Manager).
Highlights:
- The proposal is for sure going forward for a mobile learning initiative.
- There was quite a bit of discussion around the device and whether students would be given a new device or would be able to use their own current cellphone. U of L wants to go with the iPhone or iTouch. Advantages include consistency in use for all students and it's a cool tool, etc.; the main disadvantages are that students currently have a device, so this may mean they have two to carry around, and the iPhones / iTouches don't currently have video (iTouch doesn't have a camera either). Perhaps we could do research at LC with one program using the ITouch / iPhone option, and another using existing devices.
- Trevor Woods commented that video apps are available for the iPhone.
- There will be some flexibility for LC and U of L to take different approaches; for example, it sounds like the U of L wants to do a complete first year initiative where all first year students would get an iTouch or iPhone (pay their own data plans). At LC we're discussing the possibility of starting with one or two programs where students would immediately benefit from using a movile device. This would allow us to better support faculty.
- We would need to come up with a support plan for instructors. This could (should in my humble opinion :)) include budget for release time for instructors involved in the project.
- The question of "What would be considered success in this project?" lead to some interesting discussion but no real answers yet. Would we be successful if every first year student could connect with the institution for administrative type information, or would it be successful if students in most courses in a specific program were using the devide to enhance learning on a daily basis?
- This will become a research project as we evaluate the effectiveness of the initiative.
Dwayne is currently working on the next draft with Cathy King, a proposal writer from the U of L; this next draft is supposed to be ready to review by Wednesday, November 12.
I would really appreciate our thoughts on this initiative. It impacts us in many ways, and I'm sure in ways that we can't even imagine at this point.
Karen
LMS Update
Happy Remembrance Day!
A couple things have happened in the last few days re the new Learning Management System. Last week Frank Whidden (new CIO) was conversing with Embanet re hosting Angel. He is currently in negoatiations with them, and we're not sure how long this process will take.
Yesterday Dwayne told me that the requisition went in for Angel. This brings us one step closer to finally having a new LMS.
Timelines are still in question. Last week it sounded quite optimistic that we would be able to start piloting in January, but now this seems very optimistic. As soon as I know anything, I'll pass it on.
Karen
A couple things have happened in the last few days re the new Learning Management System. Last week Frank Whidden (new CIO) was conversing with Embanet re hosting Angel. He is currently in negoatiations with them, and we're not sure how long this process will take.
Yesterday Dwayne told me that the requisition went in for Angel. This brings us one step closer to finally having a new LMS.
Timelines are still in question. Last week it sounded quite optimistic that we would be able to start piloting in January, but now this seems very optimistic. As soon as I know anything, I'll pass it on.
Karen
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Four Strategic Goals for 2009
As we've discussed already, the College if focusing on four strategic goals over the next year. I thought it would be useful to review them again as it impacts our planning for next year.
1. Manage enrollments
- Our enrollment has declined 15% while provincially the decline was only 2%
- Goal is to grow from 3700 FLE’s to 4000 and to increase international enrollment to 350
2. Grow / Create Strategic partnerships
- More laddering opportunities to universities
- Be a leading college in Applied Research
- Fundraising campaign - $70 to $100 million
3. Achieve Operational Excellence
- Implement student satisfaction survey with initial target of 80% or higher satisfied or very satisfied
- Review / revise the decision making framework so responsibility and accountability is in the right place
4. Enhance the Student Experience
- Enhance and implement a robust program review process
- Establish new student support centres and systems
And one more time, the College vision . . . "To be recognized as one of Canada's finest comprehensive colleges providing world-class education and training through its commitment to excellence and innovation"
Based on both the goals and the vision, here's a question to ponder: What are the most important areas to focus on in the next year . . . in the next several years?
Karen
1. Manage enrollments
- Our enrollment has declined 15% while provincially the decline was only 2%
- Goal is to grow from 3700 FLE’s to 4000 and to increase international enrollment to 350
2. Grow / Create Strategic partnerships
- More laddering opportunities to universities
- Be a leading college in Applied Research
- Fundraising campaign - $70 to $100 million
3. Achieve Operational Excellence
- Implement student satisfaction survey with initial target of 80% or higher satisfied or very satisfied
- Review / revise the decision making framework so responsibility and accountability is in the right place
4. Enhance the Student Experience
- Enhance and implement a robust program review process
- Establish new student support centres and systems
And one more time, the College vision . . . "To be recognized as one of Canada's finest comprehensive colleges providing world-class education and training through its commitment to excellence and innovation"
Based on both the goals and the vision, here's a question to ponder: What are the most important areas to focus on in the next year . . . in the next several years?
Karen
New York Pictures
Hi Everyone
Here's a link to the pictures I took in New York . . .
http://picasaweb.google.ca/kgharker/NewYork?authkey=teYW5vgAdHk#
Enjoy!
Karen
Here's a link to the pictures I took in New York . . .
http://picasaweb.google.ca/kgharker/NewYork?authkey=teYW5vgAdHk#
Enjoy!
Karen
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