Introduction

Institutional Profile

Outstanding Features

Project Plans

Solutions to Problems and Issues

Contact Information

Advice to Our Collegues

 

Advice to Our Colleagues,
from Dr. Irving P. McPhail, Chancellor, The Community College of Baltimore County

THINGS TO DO

  • Connect Learning Paradigm and Learning College theory and principles to existing values and historic successes of faculty and staff.
  • Use the College’s learning-centered strategic plan (Learning First) as the vehicle for catalyzing discussion and focusing individual and group goals.
  • Target money to fund specific LearningFirst projects (ex., Learning Outcomes Assessment, Learning Communities) ; allow for individual initiative and creativity in defining additional projects for funding.
  • Redefine shared governance philosophy and structure to reflect Learning First values and principles and include all stakeholders (students, faculty, classified staff, administrators, trustees) in institutional decision-making.
  • Budget must reflect LearningFirst priorities.
  • Push LearningFirst innovations down the system to division, unit and individual levels; build a LearningFirst component into every meeting.
  • Establish College-wide and Campus-based CISL’s (Council on Innovation and Student Learning) as the umbrella organization to drive experimentation and implementation of LearningFirst principles and projects.
  • Involve all stakeholders in LearningFirst activities: Learning Fairs, Focus on Learning, TLC 2, Virtual Academy, etc.; insure that all stakeholders have access to professional staff development opportunities centered on LearningFirst principles.
  • Commence Chancellor’s LearningFirst classroom visits earlier in the institutional transformation process; Campus Presidents and other Senior Administrators must be vocal and visible supporters of LearningFirst.
  • Empower and trust colleagues to carry forward on goals and objectives related to student learning; do not micromanage faculty and staff engaged in the change process.
  • Respect individual Campus cultures and encourage multiple ways to test out innovations; celebrate the reality of "three cauldrons in which to make the stew."
  • Recognize and utilize "in-house" talent; encourage faculty and staff interaction and exchange of ideas and successful strategies.
  • Use the commitment to Operational Planning and Results Management to keep up the pressure for change.

THINGS NOT TO DO

  • Engage in endless debate on the Instruction Paradigm vs. the Learning Paradigm
  • Attempt to promote transformational change through fear.