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Since 1987, Ocotillo has served as a
faculty-driven catalyst for addressing technology and learning in
Maricopa. The current structure of Ocotillo is a coordinating team, led by
Chairman, Doug Sawyer (SCC), with representative faculty chairpersons from
roundtables at each of the ten colleges, and supported by Alan Levine, mcli
Instructional Technologist. For 2000-2001, Ocotillo continues to pursue their
goals for increasing the use of technology to enhance learning.
Goals
Ocotillo focused on three goals for this
academic year. We:
- continued to showcase instructional technology, to reach a wider audience within Maricopa, and promote technology in ways that lead to improved teaching and learning.
- worked to prepare the district to maximize technology resources.
- enhanced and provided support for district strategic planning.
Progress
GOAL I: SHOWCASE AND PROMOTE TECHNOLOGY The Ocotillo chairs participated in the planning stages of the March 2 Dialogue Day, "Teaching and Learning in the Digital Age: Something for Everyone." This event featured 20 faculty presenters, who demonstrated and facilitated hands-on training of various technology applications in the classroom. The presentations took place during two 75-minute sessions and allowed participants to choose the topic and level (beginner, intermediate, advanced) appropriate for their technological skills. There was truly something for everyone at this event.
MEMBERS OF THE OCOTILLO COMMITTEE
From L-R: Roger Yohe (EMCC), Jon Storslee (PVCC), Alan Levine (MCLI), Tracy Price (MCLI),
Doug Sawyer (SCC, Chair), and Ken Roberts (SMCC).
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The Ocotillo chairs decided to use some of our valuable meeting time observing technology demonstrations. Each of our monthly meetings now includes a demonstration of an instructional technology application. This has been very interesting and informative. So far we have seen presentations about MCTV, IntraKal, "My MCC" portal, E-Commerce, and other current activities relating to technology. Ocotillo will again organize and facilitate our annual "Ocotillo Retreat," to be held May 22-23, 2001. The retreat will take place at Paradise Valley Community College on May 22, and at South Mountain Community College on May 23. The retreat will be an opportunity for participants to focus on particular aspects of instructional technology, and to share successes, challenges, and suggestions for improvement.
GOAL II: PREPARE THE SYSTEM TO MAXIMIZE RESOURCES Ocotillo plans to provide forums for faculty and administrators to share with each other the successful cost-effective models for technology expenditures.
Some of the individual college Ocotillo groups have begun collecting data about capital expenditures. These data serve as a follow-up to the capital allocation processes at our colleges. The data clarify whether or not the allocated money was spent on the originally requested item, how many faculty use the item, how many students are affected, and whether the item is adequate for its intended use. These data will also be very valuable as decisions about future spending are made and as capital dollars become more scarce in our immediate future.
GOAL III: SUPPORT AND ENHANCE DISTRICT STRATEGIC PLANNING The Ocotillo Chair sits on the district's Strategic Planning Committee and the Technology Leadership Council. Ocotillo participants have much to contribute to our district's visions and plans for the future and we always welcome input regarding issues that should be brought to the Strategic Planning Committee.
The Ocotillo Chairs have spent about 18 months developing a survey which was mailed in March 2001. This survey was sent to about 5000 students who have recently left the community college system. The survey focused on their experiences with technology while at their community college, their technology use in their current situation, and what aspects of technology exposure and/or technology use in instruction were the most valuable. The data from this survey will be very important and will help us justify (or re-examine) the flow of money as larger and larger portions of our budget are allocated to technology.
Summary Ocotillo is a flurry of activity. As technology changes the way we think about teaching, learning, record keeping, resources, capital, budget, purchasing, and gathering information, Ocotillo will continually address new issues and challenges. We gladly accept your input at any time.
 Doug Sawyer, Ph.D. SCC
For more information:
www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/ocotillo/
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