N S| C e September 2007 The Douglas College Newsletter ml New Westminster Campus @ David Lam Campus @™ Surrey Training Centre IN Douglas College Teaching and learning united by visiting scholar According to Dr. Richard Gale, integrating the worlds of teaching, learning and research brings greater insight into the classroom. “We need to pay more attention to what college and university students learn, and how they learn, and why they learn,” says Gale, an expert in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning and the new Visiting Scholar at Douglas College for 2007-08. His key message to college and university educators and researchers is simple — if not surprising. “I think we pay too much attention to how we teach and too little attention to how students learn.” For professors, research and teaching are often two separate worlds, Gale notes. But there is much to gain from applying their skills as researchers and scholars to their work in the classroom. Gale cites the example of an economics instructor who researched why his students scored higher on weekly tests when they were given time to work in small groups. “He analyzed the data to discover that precisely what he had been trying to eliminate — the socializing that occurred in the first 15 minutes of group time — was really team-building. And that team-building is what made it possible for the students to be much more efficient when they finally started talking about the actual work — in the last five minutes.” Gale recently completed a five-year term as senior scholar at the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in Stanford, California. Judging by the turnout of over 150 Douglas College instructors at a lecture Gale gave last February, faculty here are interested in paying attention to what, how and why students learn. Over the coming year, Gale will support the College faculty in gathering data on student learning and will assist in building networks among like-minded researchers in BC and elsewhere. “Working within a college environment that provides four-year degree programs is just fascinating,” says Gale, referring to Douglas College’s nine bachelor’s degree programs. Vice President of Education Dr. Jan Lindsay underscores the College’s longstanding commitment to giving students a top-quality learning experience. “We are delighted to have such a distinguished scholar here. Dr. Gale’s leadership in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning will help us build evidence-based research on student learning as we continue to provide the best experience for our students.” According to Gale, Douglas College and BC are leading the way in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. Having just returned from Ottawa where he addressed Canada’s major federal funding agencies, he adds, “T suspect a lot of the other provinces are going to follow along.” New Board Chair announced Andrew Taylor, General Manager at Task Tools and Abrasives, was elected Chair of the Douglas College Board at June’s Board meeting. Taylor, who is also an executive board member of the BC Division of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, has held senior positions as President and Chief Operating Officer in a number of Manufacturing Companies with both public and private ownership. He has been active on the College Board since February 2002. Mary Hemmingsen, General Manager, Capital Plans, Asset Management and Projects at BC Hydro and Ann Kitching, former college instructor and administrator, were elected to Vice Chair positions. Left: Andrew Taylor, Douglas College Board Chair Forum brings blueprints to life Soon the blueprints will be rolled up and the exodus will begin to newly built and renovated facilities at the David Lam Campus. An August 28 forum hosted by the VP Educational Services office revealed plans to move an entire faculty and begin accommodating over 1,000 students. A cross-college logistics group has been working towards a seamless transition into the new facilities. The move will take place over three weeks in December and is scheduled to be completed by January 2008 with little or no impact on student schedules. The new site will feature more than $1.5 million in computers, printers and networking equipment. Approximately 140 employees, mostly Health Sciences faculty and staff, will set up offices, classrooms and labs so classes can take place in January. The 9,720-square-metre Health Sciences Building features classrooms that serve up to 40 students, a simulation centre, Health Information Management Lab and a Scholarly Commons that will provide an interdisciplinary centre for scholarly activity. The building will also be home to the Health Sciences Continuing Education office, as well as the new Centre for Health and Community Partnerships. Situated in a new location on the western tip of the campus, the 660-square- metre Bookstore is expected to be operational by November 2007. The Library has been renovated to free up 154 square metres of previously unfinished storage space. This area will house the 5,000 books, DVDs and videos currently in the Health Sciences collection. One new Library staff position is already in place to serve the Campus’ growing needs. David Lam Campus staffing and services will expand in a number of areas. Two Admissions Officers from the Registrar's Office have already been relocated and an additional Information Services Assistant will join them by mid-October. A new, permanent Employee Relations staff member will be onsite beginning January 2008. Student Services is also planning to renovate a classroom into office space to accommodate additional staffing. ‘The current cafeteria will be replaced by a Tim Horton's kiosk and Coyote Jack’s burger grill and the existing seating area will be open to the public and local high school students. An additional dining area, reserved only for Douglas College students and employees, will open in September 2007. The formal grand opening is scheduled to take place in Spring 2008. Watch the INside for more David Lam Campus expansion updates. at the College. The Retirement Dinner Retiring employees to be celebrated ‘This year the careers of 23 retiring employees will be celebrated at Douglas College's roth Annual Retirement Dinner. This annual event brings current and past retirees together to remember their working lives will take place October 26 at 5:30pm in the New Westminster cafeteria. For those wishing tosupport their retiring friends and colleagues, tickets may be purchased through Employee Relations Coordinator Wendy Davies at 604-527-5340. Quote of the Month By all these lovely tokens, September days are here, With summers best of weather, And autumn’ best of cheer, —Helen Hunt Jackson, September, 1830-1885