IN Douglas College June 2006 The Douglas College Newsletter im New Westminster Campus, David Lam Campus Winning technology award a good sign for David Still David Still was frustrated with the lack of instructional materials available for sign language interpreting so he decided to take matters into his own hands. A Sign Language Interpretation Instructor for Douglas College, Still spent the last year producing a ground- breaking instructional DVD that has now earned him a BC 2006 Innovations Award in Educational Technology. ‘The award is given out by BCcampus, an online educational service for learners and instructors, along with the BC Educational Technology User Group, an informal group of technology educators. In this case, the achievement recognizes innovative work that will help improve learning for students. With simplified categories, this new instructional DVD series will not only improve the learning environment for students but also assist the instructors, according to Still. “The DVD gives me more opportunity to work with the participants. It’s more guided, so they can focus on the process of interpreting,” says Still. Still enlisted the help of videographer and editor Forest Smith to put the production together — along with over 80 people who mostly acted out learning scenarios. “The students are excited about it; it gives them more structured material and more avenues for self-stud g y outside of the classroom,” says Still. “As an instructor, I have used it in workshops that I’ve done and it y P: streamlines everything.” ‘The response to the project has been excellent and Still already has orders coming in for the DVD series from other educational institutions. The most satisfying part of the project, however, will be seeing the improvement in the sign language interpretation learning environment. “It’s rewarding when the students get it, when it clicks with them, and they understand the process and how to SLI instructor David Still lets his fingers do the talking. do it,” says Still, “and to see them evolving not in terms of how to interpret but becoming an interpreter.” College launches unique Autism Specialty Program Douglas College’s Faculty of neurological disability affecting announcement capped a major Child, Family and Community children today,” says CCS collaborative effort by College Studies is launching a new Autism — Coordinator Lori Woods, who faculty, community partners specialty program which will oversaw development of the including the Family-Centred begin educating practitioners in program. Practice Group and the MCFD. the Winter 2007 semester. . . 5 cont act 7 ‘The current estimate regarding the The program’s pilot intake Developed within the Classroom _ prevalence of Autism Spectrum will accept up to 30 students. and Community Support (CCS) Disorder is approximately one Looking ahead, plans for the next Department, the 18-credit in 167 children. In BC, over phase of the Autism Specialty Behaviour Intervention Citation 4,000 children receive Autism Stream include development is the only program of its kind in intervention funds from the of specialty options within the western Canada. The new citation — Ministry of Children and Family _ existing collaborative degree with addresses a major community Development (MCFD). the University of Calgary and need for front-line practitioners The program was officially the possibility of a post-degree who can work wits children with unveiled by the Honourable Linda diploma. | Autism and their families. Reid, the Minister of State for Douglas College President Susan Witter (left) joins Minister of “Once thought to be rare, Childcare at the New Westminster State for Childcare Linda Reid at the Autism Specialty Program Autism is now the most common Campus on June 5. The announcement. Doctor Denton declared Douglas dean What’ it like becoming a new Dean? Well, according to Kathy Denton, the new Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, it’s a little bit funny. “Dean Denton. Everyone comments on the alliteration. Sometimes they point out longer forms of it, such as Dr. Dean Denton, or, at home, ‘doesn’t do dishes Dr. Dean Dentor’ seems to be the most popular version.” Denton began her career at Douglas College in 1993 in the Psychology department and had been the department’ chair for the last nine years. She began her academic training at SFU and achieved both her BA and MA in Criminology. Following the path of her research on the effects of alcohol and social context on moral judgment, she went on to complete her PhD in Psychology at the University of Western Ontario. Since then Denton has become a well-respected academic for her research in social support strategies. In 2005 she had a review published in Psychological Review, and recently published a response to critics in the same journal. “The first day in my new job was fantastic. Everyone has been incredibly supportive. Jay McGilvery is making the transition very easy; and the Humanities and Social Science support staff have been great in so many ways. / \ I'm also grateful to work with such a strong group of academics who are committed to providing high quality j j pad _— education. What could be better than this?” Dr. Kathy Denton makes the transition from psychology classroom to dean's desk. Quote of the Month No price is set on the lavish summer; June may be had by the poorest comer. James Russell Lowell The Vision of Sir Launfal (pt. I, prelude)