Remaining at the forefront of teaching methods, operational standards, and technology is imperative to create a quality educational experience for all who attend MCC. Without continuous investment toward innovative solutions, we would eventually become stagnant and fruitless, as we would cease to provide our community with an education that would prepare our students for their professional lives. I believe it is our obligation to this community to provide our patrons the most innovative means of getting their education.
This only works as long as the focus is on serving our community. Some "creative solutions" can actually hamper learning, if feedback isn't requested from those affected (instructors, students, community members). Sometimes "innovation" is just code for "cool new technology".
I think a better term for this whole principle might be "Communication - To create dialogue with our community in order to anticipate needs and pioneer creative solutions".
In the fields of technology or science, the needs of the community are not much different from the global demand. Many fields of technology are undergoing a technological revolution. For example, a gaming console today is as powerful as a supercomputer was 10 years ago. Our curriculum and organizational structure needs to address consequences of enormous advances in information technologies and emerging applications/synergies in medicine, science, management, etc.
Developing the institutional talent to anticipate rather than react to developing needs will set MCC apart as an institution committed to serving its community. Not innovation for innovation's sake but innovation to more effectively and responsibly serve district stakeholders.
I like the idea of anticipating the needs of our district, to be proactive rather than reactive. Maybe we can add something at the end, like "pioneer creative solutions that add value to our students, employees, and the community at large"? We shouldn't lose sight of the fact that some innovations may not directly impact students, but will impact our efficiency/effectiveness in our jobs, thereby making our lives a little easier.
I do think we have to be careful that we aren't just innovating for innovation's sake, but rather using innovation to help our community. So a note like the one suggested above - "pioneer creative solutions that add value to our students, employees, and the community at large" - may be helpful.
While popular opionion in academia does not support that education is a true service commodity, I think that innovation needs to keep the concept of service in mind. Good service to your customer base means meeting their needs, great service means exceeding their needs, and excellent service means anticipating their needs. To be truly innovative in this environment we need to move aways from reactionary approach to program development and really focus on disecting the community we serve and anticipate what will be needed instead of working feverishly to put programming into place once the need is already in high gear. I think this core principal is vitale to our success and should be a primary focus.
Remaining at the forefront of teaching methods, operational standards, and technology is imperative to create a quality educational experience for all who attend MCC. Without continuous investment toward innovative solutions, we would eventually become stagnant and fruitless, as we would cease to provide our community with an education that would prepare our students for their professional lives. I believe it is our obligation to this community to provide our patrons the most innovative means of getting their education.
ReplyDeleteThis only works as long as the focus is on serving our community. Some "creative solutions" can actually hamper learning, if feedback isn't requested from those affected (instructors, students, community members). Sometimes "innovation" is just code for "cool new technology".
ReplyDeleteI think a better term for this whole principle might be "Communication - To create dialogue with our community in order to anticipate needs and pioneer creative solutions".
Could you say "and colaborate with all stakeholders to pioneer sound, creative solutions?"
ReplyDeleteIn the fields of technology or science, the needs of the community are not much different from the global demand. Many fields of technology are undergoing a technological revolution. For example, a gaming console today is as powerful as a supercomputer was 10 years ago. Our curriculum and organizational structure needs to address consequences of enormous advances in information technologies and emerging applications/synergies in medicine, science, management, etc.
ReplyDeleteDeveloping the institutional talent to anticipate rather than react to developing needs will set MCC apart as an institution committed to serving its community. Not innovation for innovation's sake but innovation to more effectively and responsibly serve district stakeholders.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of anticipating the needs of our district, to be proactive rather than reactive. Maybe we can add something at the end, like "pioneer creative solutions that add value to our students, employees, and the community at large"?
ReplyDeleteWe shouldn't lose sight of the fact that some innovations may not directly impact students, but will impact our efficiency/effectiveness in our jobs, thereby making our lives a little easier.
I do think we have to be careful that we aren't just innovating for innovation's sake, but rather using innovation to help our community. So a note like the one suggested above - "pioneer creative solutions that add value to our students, employees, and the community at large" - may be helpful.
ReplyDeleteTo stay on the cutting edge of technology, be creative and be a step ahead of the communities needs.
ReplyDeleteI like all of these ideas. I'd like to see them boiled into one. Without missing any core concepts.
ReplyDeleteWhile popular opionion in academia does not support that education is a true service commodity, I think that innovation needs to keep the concept of service in mind. Good service to your customer base means meeting their needs, great service means exceeding their needs, and excellent service means anticipating their needs. To be truly innovative in this environment we need to move aways from reactionary approach to program development and really focus on disecting the community we serve and anticipate what will be needed instead of working feverishly to put programming into place once the need is already in high gear. I think this core principal is vitale to our success and should be a primary focus.
ReplyDelete