Question of the Week: MOOCs

There is a lot of talk (and a range of opinions) in higher ed about the impact of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) on traditional education.  In what ways, if at all, might MOOCs impact how we teach at Bellevue College? [Use the speech bubble to the right or the reply link below to respond]

Please feel free to think of this question in terms of the college as a whole, as well as in relationship to your own discipline, expertise, or experience.

There are a lot of “opinions” out there on this topic.  Here are a couple recent articles to get folks thinking. Feel free to share other good resources on this topic in the comments box, too.

 

Question of the Week: Community Connections

The second major foundation of the strategic planning “arch” is “Community & Regional Needs”. Given the importance of our “community” in planning for the future, please consider sharing your thoughts on this week’s Question of the Week:

In the near future, what are some ways Bellevue College should engage and integrate with local cities, schools, non-profits, businesses and the region as a whole? [Use the speech bubble to the right or the reply link below to respond]

Please feel free to think of this question in terms of the college as a whole, as well as in relationship to your own discipline, expertise, or experience.

For inspiration, see the resources provided by Northern Essex Community College in Massachusetts – one example of an organized community engagement effort that spans the campus.

Community Partnerships: A “How-To” Report

In the spring, the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges released a report detailing resources for developing partnerships between community colleges and their communities titled Prosperous Places: Putting Your College and Community of the Map. The report is designed to be:

“a toolkit to help colleges build “prosperous places” by creating high-impact partnerships, gathering data, and creating programs that meet critical workforce needs. Creating a highly skilled workforce advances both the signature industries that make Washington competitive in the global marketplace, and the local employers who create the very fabric of our communities.”

There are some good questions to think about here (see pages 7-8) and several resources that are designed to help colleges think about their community connections. 

Check it out, and feel free to comment.

Foundations: Mission, Vision and Core Themes

One of the foundations of the strategic planning “arch” are the college’s Mission, Vision, Core Values and Core Themes. As you consider our strategic planning efforts take a look and remind yourself of the foundation on which the college currently operates:

As always, we welcome your comments.

Question of the Week: Communication

Many participants in the strategic planning listening sessions this Fall have talked about a lack of communication at the college, but also expressed concern about the volume of email we all receive.

What is the best way for the college to effectively communicate important information without it getting lost in a barrage of emails? [Use the speech bubble to the right or the reply link below to respond]

Please feel free to think of this question in terms of the college as a whole, as well as in relationship to your own discipline, expertise, or experience.

“Strategic Planning in Motion” at North Florida CC

After establishing the goals and objectives of a strategic plan, North Florida Community College put an implementation process in place with work groups. They call it “Strategic Planning in Motion” and it ensures that the plan has an active life after adoption. Read more about it on their website and send us your comments on how it might apply to BC.