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Grassroots Projects: Fostering and Supporting an Institute- Wide Culture of Innovation Maggie Beers, Ph.D. Vivian Forssman M.B.A. Terry Fuller, M.A. BCIT’s Learning & Teaching Centre & Computer Resources January 31, 2006

1.Innovation is the responsibility of the institute, not just the individual 2.Blended learner-centred education works 3. Faculty have good professional instincts 4. Faculty can effect change 5.Applied learning occurs best in teams 6.Problems are our friends 7. BCIT’s TEK team are agents of change Guiding Educational Transformation: Our Beliefs

Presentation Overview BCIT’s emerging culture of innovation TEK’s educational vision TEK’s organizational structure Grassroots Project selection Grassroots Project support Institute-wide culture of innovation

Gjoa Andrichuk, Instructor Connecting Students to Industry Streaming Low: mms://streaming.bcit.ca/grassroots/profile_gjoa_low.wmv mms://streaming.bcit.ca/grassroots/profile_gjoa_low.wmv Streaming High: mms://streaming.bcit.ca/grassroots/profile_gjoa_high.wmv Grassroots Profile Video

Belief #1 Innovation is the responsibility of the institute, not just the individual.

Presentation Overview BCIT’s emerging culture of innovation TEK’s educational vision TEK’s organizational structure Grassroots Project selection Grassroots Project support Institute-wide culture of innovation

TEK Vision “BCIT’s Technology-Enabled Knowledge (TEK) Initiative is about innovation and achieving new standards of excellence in education.”

TEK Foundation Goals 1.Collaboration & Connectivity 2.Smart Learning Spaces 3.Best Teaching Practices 4.Applied Research 5.The Business of BCIT

Belief #2 Blended, learner-centred education works.

Educational Vision

Educational Model Smart Learning Space Smart Learning Space Workplace Experience Instructor Support Learner Web Presence

Belief #3 Faculty have good professional instincts.

Technology Enabling Knowledge – Year 1 Content Delivery Communities of Practice Reflective Practice Project Management Authentic Assessment Blogs Portal COP’s ePortfolios

Learning Approaches & TEK Tools in Year 1 Content Delivery: Drupal Blogs, myBCIT/SCT Luminus, Lotus Quickplace Reflection, Comments: Drupal Blogs, Lotus Quickplace, Communities of Practice: Drupal Blogs, Lotus Quickplace ePortfolio: Drupal Blogs Project Management: Lotus Quickplace

Belief #4 Faculty can effect change.

Presentation Overview BCIT’s emerging culture of innovation TEK’s educational vision TEK’s organizational structure Grassroots Project selection Grassroots Project support Institute-wide culture of innovation

TEK Initiative Management Structure President Executive Council Project Direction Academic Projects Web & Collaboration Projects Technology Infrastructure Smart Spaces & User Support Social Software Faculty Advisory Student Advisory Industry Advisory

Academic Projects

Presentation Overview  BCIT’s emerging culture of innovation  TEK’s educational vision  TEK’s organizational structure  Grassroots Project selection  Grassroots Project support  Institute-wide culture of innovation

What is a Grassroots Project? Criteria: Innovative Collaborative Promote knowledge building Learner-centred Achieve learning outcomes Support TEK’s goals

Year 1 Grassroots Life Cycle - Up to 20 days Share & mentor 2 days Showcase 3 days Implement 6 days Develop3 days Design5.5 days Express Interest Bi-annually

Glenn Pellegrin, Instructor Engaging Students in Large Lectures Streaming Low: mms://streaming.bcit.ca/grassroots/profile_glenn_low.wmv Streaming High: mms://streaming.bcit.ca/grassroots/profile_glenn_high.wmv Grassroots Profile Video

Presentation Overview BCIT’s emerging culture of innovation TEK’s educational vision TEK’s organizational structure Grassroots Project selection Grassroots Project support Institute-wide culture of innovation

Belief #5 Applied learning occurs best in teams.

Learning & Teaching Centre/ Computer Resources Support Model Grassroot s Project Technical Advisor IDC SME Writer Video Multimedi a Developer Systems Analyst Graphic Artist AV Faculty Member IDC

Modeling best practice

Community of Practice Room

The Blog Room

Belief #6 Problems are our friends.

Presentation Overview  BCIT’s emerging culture of innovation  TEK’s educational vision  TEK’s organizational structure  Grassroots Project selection  Grassroots Project support  Institute-wide culture of innovation

Lessons Learned: TEK Organization Vision Vision provides clear focus to build educational and technical infrastructure Departments can benefit from personalizing vision Annual revision keeps vision current

Lessons Learned: TEK Organization Faculty Advisory Reps Need: clear mandate, roles & accountabilities sufficient time & school support education on learning approaches & technologies a permanent chair for consistent leadership, communication, & long-term visioning.

Lessons Learned: Grassroots Projects as Educational Pilots Effective vehicles to pilot learning approaches & technologies to foster innovation. Common theme allows : consolidation of educational expertise in specialized design teams a manageable, yet complementary suite of supporting tools.

Lessons Learned: Collaborative Design Team Model This model provides: efficient educational & technical support opportunities for constructive dialogue around educational excellence All design team members need: knowledge of educational approach and educational technology solutions clear definitions of roles and responsibilities active participation from concept to implementation

Lessons Learned: Grassroots Projects as Technology Pilots Simultaneous piloting of learning approaches and tools: difficult to pinpoint source of problems requires common success criteria prior to startup. Pilot vs. Rollout: overextension of resources jump-starts learning.

Belief #7 BCIT’s TEK Team can be agents of change.

Thank you Academic Lead, TEK Initiative Learning and Teaching Centre Web Services Lead, TEK Initiative Computer Resources Project Manager, Grassroots Projects TEK Initiative Learning and Teaching Centre