Content for a Professional Development Clearinghouse

As noted in my last post, we hosted six summits in six California regions (San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, Pasadena, San Francisco, and Sacramento) to solicit ideas for a professional development clearinghouse to serve the California Community Colleges. Here I'll present the ideas for what kinds of content belongs in a PD Clearinghouse.

Accreditation: see Mandated Content/Training.

Adjunct Faculty Resources. Connections; Content.

Administrators PD

Adult HS Equivalency

Arts

Assessment Training Attendance Tracking; Badges; Costs / Benefits Analysis; How to Get Consistent Measures; Monitoring for Completion; Outcomes of PD; Use / Misuse of PD

Best Practices. Acceleration; Accreditation and Self Studies; Assessment; Basic Skills; Big Data; Distance Education; Effective Pedagogical Practices; Effective Practices; Faculty Evaluations; Face-to-Face, Financial Aid; Good Food for PD Events; Governance; Hybrid, and Online Best Practices; Orientation; Planning; Research; Program Review; Retention; Rubric/Template for Sharing Best Practices; Student Educational Plans; Student Engagement; Student Equity; Templates; Student Learning Outcomes; What Works on Other Campuses

Book Reviews. Online Book Clubs.

Budget. Budget Allocation Models; Fiscal Policies and Procedures; Funding for Resources; How to Use PD Funds

Calendar. There is a common, granular calendar, with events coded by type (e.g., Webinar, Conference, Workshop, Course, Summit, Retreat, Meeting).  The calendar includes personal, regional, district, college, state, and national events, with links to organizational calendars from the personal calendar. The calendar allows users to share events, send invitations to other users, and arrange for “meet-ups” by linking to collaborative features in the Clearinghouse. It also includes a “registration” option that allows users to register for events listed in the calendar.

The calendar can be searched by topic, region or location, fees required, date(s), speaker(s), time required, and similar information.  Calendar events can be shared, edited, copied, and sent to target groups. Past calendar events are updated with outcomes (e.g., handouts, materials, videos, PPTs).

California Community Colleges Information. CCCCO Resources; Classrooms; Compliance Training; Governance Structure; Orientation to CCC system; Policies; Populations in the CCCs.

CCC Confer.

Challenges, Obstacles. Questions; Scenarios.

Classified Staff PD (Section Devoted to this)

College-Specific Resources

Conference Materials and Information Archives, handouts, videos, presentations.

Contacts Database Association; Campus; Expertise; Industry-Related

Copyright and Fair Use.

Counseling

Course Management Systems Training on multiple systems

CTE (Career and Technical Education) Topics and Information.

Cultural Transitions and Culturally Aware Instruction. Cultural Competence; Disabilities; First-Generation Students; Instructional Strategies; Poverty; Research; Services; Veterans.

Customer Service for Student Success

Data. Collecting data; Common Data Collection from each college for ease of usability; Finding data; Understanding data.

Emergency Preparedness Crisis Management

Equity. Plans; Topics.

ESL Instruction

Experts Database. Commencement Speakers; Connect Professionals Around Common Goals; Contact Information; Experts from Other States; Fees/Costs; Key Campus Contacts; Keynote Speaker Database (Angie’s List) ; PD Contacts; Presenters; Rated by Users; Mentors; Recordings of Presentations to View; Regional Experts; Speakers Bureau; Reviews; Specialties; State-Certified or Vetted (optional); Subject Search (area, discipline, job, program). Users can post their own areas of expertise.

Facilities Design

FAQs.

Funding for PD Fund Raising; Grant Writing; Partnership/Consortia Options

General Office Skills

Glossary of Terms. Acronyms, “Alphabet Soup,”  “CCpedia.”

Grants and Grant Writing. Applications; Awards; Searching for grants and funding sources; What’s Available.

Help Desk.

Hot Topics. Includes “Trend or Theme of the Year.”

How to Learn How to Request Training

HR Topics. How to Hire, Evaluate

Humor. “Fun” file.

Innovative Educators

IRB Training

Kognito Simulation Training

LBGQT Issues

Leadership Development. Admin 101; Career Development Planning; Career Ladder; Chair Training; Conflict Management; Dean Topics; Great Deans and Great Chairs Training; How to Build Leadership Capacity; Leadership Development Suite; Leadership Institute; New Supervisor Training; Professional Growth and Leadership for Non-Managers; Suite of Management Trai

nings

Legislative Information. Classified; Links to CA legislative bodies; Updates.

Library of Learning Objects.

Links to Outside PD Resources. Conferences; Connections; Fees; Information; Mission;

Links to System-Wide Resources @ONE; 3C Media Solutions; CCC Apply; CCC Confer; DECT.

List of Degree Programs

Lynda: see Videos

Management Notifications of Employee Participation in Trainings; Performance Evaluations; Supervisory Training

Mandated Content/Training. AB 86; Accreditation reporting; ADA; Brown Act; Compliance Training; Diversity; Dual Enrollment; Early Alert; Ed. Code; EEO; Equity; Facilities and Maintenance; FERPA; “Go to” links for mandated training; Guidelines; Guidelines for PD Coordinators; Job Aides for Statewide Tech Initiatives; Legislation; Mandates; Program Review; Regulations; Reporting; SSSP; Standards; Title IX

Maps. Regional, with nearby colleges.

Marketing/Publicity. How to Market; Marketing Resources. Individuals and Local PD Programs are Celebrated and outstanding activities given publicity and tributes. Success stories are publicized. Mechanisms are developed for encouraging participation in PD activities. Promotional materials are developed, easily reproduced, and distributed. Incentive programs for participation and usage are developed.

Master Planning. Plans for Equity, SSP, Distance Education, Technology.

Meetings – Resources. Minutes of Meetings; Robert’s Rules

Mentors (see also Experts Database) Regional categories.

MERLOT

Mission Statement Connected to Students. State PD Group 6.1 and 6.2 recommendations; focus on student success.

Model Curriculum

Modules that lead to Certification on Subjects.

Needs Assessment. Discussions; Samples.

New Employee Orientation, Training. First Year Survival; Job-specific orientations (e.g., Banner, Datatel); Instruction Manual for Community Colleges; Orientations for New Faculty, New Faculty Resources; New Staff; “Tips for the new ___”.

New Student Orientation

News Updates. Announcement Board; By Subject, Job Title; Blog; Legislative Update; Newsletter; RSS Feed

Noel Levitz Content and Connections

Online Teaching

Organizational Development.

Outside Resources. National and statewide initiatives.

Pathways to Teaching.

Pedagogy. Assessment; Assignments; Classroom Techniques; Curricular Map (e.g., after Reading Apprenticeship, this comes next);  Delivery Methods; Discipline/Subject/Topic Search; Innovative Pedagogy; Lesson Planning; Model Curriculum; Pathways for PD (e.g., STEM track); Rubrics; SLO Assessment; Syllabus Building; Teaching Strategies; Writing Across the Curriculum

Peer-Assisted Learning

PowerPoints. A library of PowerPoint presentations is maintained.

Professional Development Activities. Activities and communications from organizations – 3CSN, 4C/SD, ASCCC, @ONE, CCC Confer, 3C Media Solutions, OEI, and others are included.  Links to other colleges’ PD sites.

Professional Development Program Development. Assessments; Benchmarks; Best Practices; Contact Lists; Developing a PD Team/Committee; Event Planning; Fact Sheets; Funding; Guidance for PD Coordinators; Guidelines for PD; How to Build Physical Space for PD; How to Start a PD Program; How Colleges Organize PD; How to Create a Robust PD Department/Program; How to Increase Participation; In-sourcing;  Job Descriptions; Library of White Papers; Literature; Mandates; “New to PD” Resources; Parameters; Policies and Procedures; Professional Growth Plans and Cohesive Professional Learning Plans; Reflections about PD Practice; Research (Distilled); Resources for Teaching and Learning Common PD Topics; Sample Models; Success Stories; Surveys; What Works.

Professional Development Research How to Collect Data for Further Usage; Statistics for PD Participation (campus, district, statewide); Student Success Data; Template of Staff Studies (and results of past studies); Training on Research (e.g., DataMart)

Professional Help. Crisis Response; Depression; Disabilities; Mental Health Awareness; PTSD; Special Student Populations; Suicide Prevention; Trauma; Veterans

Project Management

Research Articles; Documents; Summaries; Support References

Retention Strategies

Role of Counselor and Student Support.

Safety. Active Shooter; Emergency Preparedness; Natural Disasters; Safe Zone Training; Sexual Assault; Title IX; Violent Intruder; Workplace Safety

Samples/Models/Examples. Course Designs; Curriculum; Documents; Peer Observation; Professional Growth Plans; RFPs and RFQs; Surveys; Syllabi; Templates; Training; Workshops

Soft Skills.  Communication; Cultural Competence; Customer Service; Dealing with Difficult People; Dealing with Disruptive Students; Diversity; Interpersonal Skills; Personal Development;  Sensitivity Training; Stress Management; Team Building; Time Management; Wellness.

Speakers Bureau: see Experts Database.

Strategies for Supporting Student Success. Strategies for specific target groups.

Student Development

Student Engagement Survey.

Student Learning Outcomes

Student Tutorials.

Succession Planning

System Goals. Content is linked to major campus/system goals, initiatives, and standards.

Team Building

Technology Training. ADA Training; Applications; Budgets; CCC Confer; Classroom Technology; Course Design; Creating Web Products; Distance Education Training; Effective Use of Technology; Flipped PD Classroom; Handbooks; How-to’s; How to Check Information; How to Find Stuff; How to Make Videos; Hybrid Technology Training; Information about Statewide Tech Resources; IT List of Software; Learning Management Systems; Modules on Specific Technology Tools; New Technology Showcase; Office; Online Teaching Technology; PowerPoint; Recommendations; Streaming Media; Technology for Support Services; Tools for Managing Workflow, Productivity, Idea Generation; Web 2.0; Who’s Using What and How do they Train for it?

Training Ideas.

Train the Trainer.

Transcripts TrainingTransfer Education

Transition (Credit to Non-Credit, e.g.)

Tutorials and Self-paced Online Courses: @ONE; Go 2 Knowledge; Lynda; Program Review, New Student Success, SLOs.

Undocumented Students

Venues for PD. Off-campus sites.

Videos. Digital Images; Downloadable Video Lectures; Orientations (macro to micro); Student Engagement Activities; Self-produced; TED Talks; Training Activities by Subject; Live streamed events, with outside links to materials; In-house presentations, Webinars.

Centrally purchased video collection, especially Lynda.com. Also Magna Publications.  Khan Academy concept, TED Talks features.

Webinars

Wellness Fitness; Health; Mental Health; Personal Enrichment; Safety; Stress Management

Workshop Topics by Category Completed Workshops; Handouts; Notes; Outlines

Dandy ideas, eh?  Please let me know if you have any more we can add.

What Would A Professional Development Clearinghouse Look Like? What Might It Do?

In November, 2014, six summits were held in six California regions (San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, Pasadena, San Francisco, and Sacramento) to solicit ideas for a professional development clearinghouse to serve the California Community Colleges. A total of 545 people registered for these events, and idea maps were created for each summit: see http://www.3cmediasolutions.org/files/?f=460&key=5f29e2ee3fbd198cd3f53a8e6b7105eb44e43259.

We got a lot of ideas from a diverse collection of people: educators, student service specialists, HR professionals, classified staff, and administrators all over the state. Here, I'll summarize the "bells and whistles" these folks suggested: the features they'd like a PD Clearinghouse to include.

24/7 Access.

Accessible. The Clearinghouse conforms to ADA Section 508 requirements and Universal Design standards.

Analytics and Reporting.  The Clearinghouse processes submitted evaluations, tracked Flex activities, individual and group PD activities, success factors (and “needs improvement” indicators), impacts on student success, online and on-site PD events and participation. Reports and analytical summaries are provided showing trends, needs, and usage patterns. Analytics are tied to student success.  Analytics include state-wide, district-wide, and college level reports. Predictive analytics are included.

Assessment. Tools for assessing what users have learned are built-in. Quizzes, tests, and other

measures of learning are selectable and verified. Users can “test out” of certain training.

There are also self-assessment features. Users can define a PD Plan, identify learning styles, and indicate prior learning and competencies.Assessments are tied to student learning outcomes.

Certification: see Credentialing (below).

Chat: see Social (below).

Content Customization. Users can edit, tag, share, highlight, and rename content uploaded to the Clearinghouse.

Content Descriptions. Content can be identified and searched by the source of the content (e.g., author, host institution).

Course Management System. The Clearinghouse can be embedded in a Course Management System, enabling users to login to their host college’s CMS and access the Clearinghouse from there.

Copyright. Licensing information is provided for all content. CC-BY licensing predominates, allowing free access and editing with attribution. Usage and re-purposing rights are clearly delineated.

Credentialing (see also Tracking). Users’ PD efforts and accomplishments generate credentials stored in the Clearinghouse and shareable or downloadable by users. These credentials include badges, certifications, and credits. The credentials are verified.

Users receive and the system keeps track of credits for workshops, courses, and other PD activities. Portfolios are maintained for each user, including attendance, Flex tracking, and credits/badges Employees can be re-certified by using the Clearinghouse’s resources/certificates earned (like DegreeWorks).

Host institutions can receive reports of credentials earned by their employees. A statewide coding system is employed to track participation in events, courses, and activities. This can be used for purposes of salary advancement.

Current: see Quality Control (below)

Database of Related Topics. See also Search. Cross-references are built-in for entries.

Discussion Boards: see Social (below).

Ease of Use (see also Flexible). The Clearinghouse is accessible and intuitive. It has a user-friendly interface and simple search and index features (similar to YouTube and Amazon).  Navigation is clear because of logical organization and good Web design.

A “Siri” or “Echo” interface is used for voice recognition and interaction with the system.

Evaluation. A toolbox is provided for evaluation of PD activities and programs. This measures the effectiveness of professional development.

Feedback Mechanism. Users can provide feedback to the CCCCO regarding, for example, student equity information and similar required reports. Users can suggest content and respond to polls or surveys about collection needs or gaps. They may also provide testimonials and comments. The

Clearinghouse provides online feedback and evaluation forms and surveys. Users’ and colleges’ or districts’ professional development activities and accomplishments can be communicated with CCCCO to enable tributes, commendations, or recognition from the system.

File Sharing. Users can upload files and make them publicly viewable or shareable, with options for how to share them (e.g., only with specific groups or individuals).

File Storage. Users can store files, videos, materials digitally in private storage areas. Stored content can be selectively shared with other users, groups, or institutions. Sharing can be limited to time periods or to links that expire according to a specified deadline.

Flex Reporting (see Tracking)

Flexible.  They system can grow indefinitely, so that new content can be continuously added without reaching a storage limit.

Forums: see Social.

Free. No fees for usage are charged.

Groups: See Social

Help: Tiered help system for people with different tech. needs.

Inter-segmental and Integrated. The Clearinghouse serves as a “One-Stop Shop” for connecting to all segments of the CCCs (administrators, classified staff, faculty, service positions) and integrating with each campus’s professional development portal or Web resources (see also Login). The Clearinghouse can be embedded in each campus’s Course Management System. Campus representatives (professional development contacts) are identified for each campus. Specific disciplines and areas of service are identifiable and have integrated resources related to these areas. There are strands for exploring specific roles and career goals. Materials are integrated with a Student Success Map, Course Management Systems, PeopleSoft, Datatel, Payroll, and Enrollment Services.

International Education/Study and Teach Abroad Information.

Just-in-Time Training, Information. The Clearinghouse allows users to make requests and receive timely information or training to accommodate immediate or quickly-developing needs.

Licensing. The Clearinghouse uses blanket licensing to provide content that requires subscription fees for access.

Login. User IDs are verified by use of Federated ID, enabling them to use a single sign-on for the campus, the Clearinghouse, and other CCC services (e.g., CCC Confer, 3C Media Solutions, @ONE, OEI). Logins are used to determine role-based accounts (e.g., faculty, administrator, adjunct) which direct users to relevant content for those roles. There is a Guest Login option.

Media-Rich.

Mobile. Users can access the Clearinghouse from mobile devices. A “lite” version is incorporated into an app.

Navigation. There are “Where Do I Start?” links throughout the Clearinghouse to help users navigate the vast quantity of content.

Open Source. Creative Commons licensing – e.g., CC-BY – are sought for all content, enabling users to re-use and re-purpose (with attribution) content found in the Clearinghouse.

Personalizable. Users can make and receive recommendations for content. They can instruct the system (Clearinghouse software) to display content related to their specific interests. They can also “opt out” of certain portions of the Clearinghouse by filtering out areas that do not interest them. The system can also “push” materials to the user based on specific positions, job plans, tiers, etc. Users can maintain a “wish list” for materials or training content. Users can also upload or add biographical details in a personal profile. They can maintain a portable (shareable, downloadable) portfolio of professional development activities and accomplishments.  The portfolio (or “PD transcript”) is (optionally) publicly searchable, allowing other users to find a user by searching for specific talents or skills, etc. There is also an option for managers or supervisors to view employees’ portfolios and completed activities (the user chooses this option and can undo it). Users can add areas of expertise to their personal profile, to be included in the Experts Database (a content feature). Users can maintain a personal calendar which can be shared with others.  The calendar allows users to share events, send invitations to other users, and arrange for “meet-ups” by linking to collaborative features in the Clearinghouse. It also includes a “registration” option that allows users to register for events listed in the calendar. The Clearinghouse keeps track of user preferences and interests, including searches. Recommendations or suggested content are generated based on past history. Users maintain an

Interests Profile. Users can use the Clearinghouse for self-assessment: personality, learning styles, aptitudes, etc. Career Pathways are suggested based on personal profiles. There is a resume-building tool. Users take charge of their own learning by selecting from the Clearinghouse’s options. This can be mapped into personal training schedules or a personalized PD Plan.

Personal options can be saved, edited, and printed or downloaded via a report feature. A “time on task” feature enables users to record their activities while using the Clearinghouse. Individual Colleges are also able to personalize content and form groups that use local, college-level information and resources.The Clearinghouse has personalized save options: My Files, My Resources, My Bookmarks, My Calendar. Users have a personalized dashboard for navigation, with access to their statistics and reports, Customized Learning Path, Interests, Groups, Bookmarks, Stored Searches, Exports, Produced Content, and Stored Content.

Polling/ Surveys Users can be polled, can create polls and send them to groups or defined populations.

Preview Option Users can “preview” materials (get a “quick look”) prior to downloading them.

Privacy. Users’ privacy is protected. Users can opt to make private all or some activities while online and using the Clearinghouse.

Quality Control. The system is monitored by dedicated staff members who weed the collection of outdated or inappropriate content. The Clearinghouse resembles “EBSCO” more than “Google” because of controlled vocabulary and selective entries. Tags and meta-tags are included – including required fields – for each content entry. Content providers are accountable for content quality. A vetting process is clearly defined.Users can rate content and add reviews. There is also an indicator of the number of “hits” or “views” for content entries. Currency is maintained, with built-in expiration dates for time-sensitive content. All content has a “date added to the collection” tag. Users can limit searches to “new” materials.

Quick-Access Headlines.

Ratings (see also Quality Control). Users can rate content and add reviews. A star system, with “Yelp”-like features, is incorporated, using standardized ratings (e.g., 5 stars).  

Regional. Regional connections are facilitated by identifying regional experts and regional professional development activities.

Resume. Users can build, upload, and download resumes using the Clearinghouse tools.

Sandbox. Users can use “sandboxes” to develop and test modules before they are added to the Clearinghouse. Modules can be created from other (existing) modules in the Clearinghouse. Group editing is supporting, so that others can add features once the author finishes or gives up.

Search. Users can search by keyword, author (source), subject, department, instructor, job role, pathway, standard, size, length, cost, and material type. Filters are included for time (length of time required or expected to complete; length of time for workshops or other learning events, etc.).  

There is a “drill down” feature for refining or expanding searches on topics. Taxonomies are clearly organized and indexes are robust.

Self-paced Courses. Users can take courses directly from the Clearinghouse, with their progress tracked and built-in assessments and credentialing.

Social. Users can find and network with one another according to topic, job, interests, region, and similar criteria. PD Coordinators, for example, can form a “hub” for sharing ideas, resources, information, and other information. Users can find one another, follow one another, search for contacts, see what others are doing (publicly), and connect with one another in various ways (e.g., “LinkedIn” connections).Forums, discussion boards, and chat rooms are provided for groups with similar jobs or interests. Users can send e-mails or instant messages to invite others to chat. These can be sub-divided into classifications or whole campuses.

There is a phone link to chat rooms and instant meetings. Presence is included, allowing users to know who is online now. Inquiry groups can be formed by any individual. For example, online book clubs can be created around specific titles or interests. Groups have “LinkedIn”-type features: join, invite, with moderators or no moderators according to the group founder’s preference. Users can opt out of group membership at any time. Self-directed  Communities of Practice are supported. These include cohorts based on software/operating systems (e.g., Blackboard, GoogleDocs) and disciplines. The Clearinghouse facilitates face-to-face encounters by allowing users to plan, invite, select venues for such events. Pinterest, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter are supported, along with the ability to “follow” users or topics.

Subscription Services. Users can subscribe to – and unsubscribe from  - listservs, topical updates, podcasts, “push” notifications (alerts), RSS feeds, Webinars, reports, and a variety of subscription options for receiving updates.

Tracking Capabilities (see also Credentialing).  Portfolios, or PD Transcripts, are automatically updated as users complete PD activities. Reporting capabilities are built-in so that users and/or HR staff can use the Clearinghouse to transfer credentials or meet learning requirements.  Mandated (e.g., compliance) training can be tracked by host institutions to satisfy users’ PD obligations. Flex reporting is also accomplished by tracking efforts and participation in PD activities.

Videoconferencing. Users can use the Clearinghouse to meet in “Hangouts” or other online conferences with peers (e.g., Confer Now). This may include Web conferencing and telephone bridging for participation without a computer or video device.