Wow, it’s July….JULY…already! It’s time for reflection and annual reports.

So much has happened at KSC that it’s hard to take a fair inventory of the changes that have happened over the year. Listing them hardly seems interesting. Singling out one, two, or even five events subtly means that something left out is somehow less significant. Not true. For instance I really don’t want to talk about e-Portfolios because that ‘project’ was tough, it was very tough, and by all indications it was not successful (see how I side step the word “fail”? I just can’t bring myself to say it failed).  We do have a better strategy for the coming year and we have shared our challenges with colleagues at conferences so I feel some relief in knowing that other folks can choose a less bumpy path.

The year has been rewarding but if I had to single out two major coups, one would be the hard work that we (two talented colleagues and me) did to create an academic technology Vision for KSC. It’s still very much a draft but it’s significant in that at its core it speaks of our values. No, not how we value technology but how we value learning and engagement. Technology is merely a pathway to learning and engagement pedagogies. Phase two of the process brings together a committed group charged with creating an academic technology plan (with the draft Vision as the backdrop) that will guide decisions and initiatives.  We’re headed to Orlando in 2 weeks to participate in a working conference that will help identify academic technology priorities. I’m not too excited about the heat and humidity of a Florida summer but I’m really looking forward to the conference and what we bring back to campus.

The “center” is the other significant development that will have a huge impact on KSC. The Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) is now official after much hand wringing (mostly on my part!). I was first made aware of the “center” concept last summer where the idea of a place for faculty professional development, student support, service learning and technology was still being batted about. I witnessed the growth process and how the “center” idea went through a metamorphosis to finally land on something that speaks volumes about KSC and our direction.

“The Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching will provide resources and experience to support deeper learning, effective teaching, and community and professional engagement at Keene State College…
…We want to support a community of learners, where faculty, staff, and students can share ideas, transform curriculum, and deliver education through action”.

CELT will be critical in helping talented people work together to find new approaches to solving problems. KSC has an abundance of dedicated, intelligent people who are eager to make our institution shine and with CELT and campus leadership the sky is the limit!