1. Innovations For Innovation’s Sake?
Keep the Focus on the Students

2. Blog
Please visit my blog at: digitaledu.blogspot.com

3. Overview
Background
Guidelines for Innovation
Demonstration
Q/A

4. Background – Our District
Two College District (Saddleback and Irvine Valley)
35,000 Headcount, 21,000 FTES
Relatively small District IT staff
Passion for delivering direct services to students
Award-winning online services

5. Background – Major Systems
MySite Web Portal
Implemented in August 2000
140,000 unique users
SmartSchedule (online class schedule)
Implemented in July 2002
6.5 million estimated visits
KnowledgeBase & MySite Agent
Implemented in October 2003
200,000 queries

6. Innovation: Definition
The introduction of something new
A new idea, method or device
Our Definition:
A new system, or a new approach, that improves the quality or quantity of service to our students

7. Innovation Guidelines
Own your architecture
Focus on function, not technology
Develop a passion for delivering direct service
Implement a real Portal
Do something – pick the low hanging fruit
Build in feedback
Evaluate services based on actual usage

8. Keep an eye on emerging technologies
Source: Gartner Group

9. Course Management System
Leverage Third Party Solutions
Course Management System
(Blackboard)
MySite
eServices Suite
Student Information System
Library Services
(SIRSI)
This diagram is a representation of our architecture for integrating what we see a our core institutional functions……with a student focus
I feel very fortunate to in my career I have been able to combine two things I Love … the first is education… I think we are in a virtuous profession… the second is technology ……full of excitement change …vitality with the power to quickly improve things…. I have the added enjoyment of being able to work work with some truly talented people… you….

10. Demonstration Visit MySite at: http://mysite.socccd.cc.ca.us
Contact Information:
Jim Gaston
Interim Director of Information Technology
South Orange County CCD