Categories
- "Academic Writing Team" (17)
- Academic Plan (Drafts) (18)
- Academic Plan (implementation) (1)
- Academic Planning Task Force (31)
- Context – National, Provincial, Governmental (37)
- FAS Faculty Board (20)
- Genres (156)
- Announcements (37)
- Appeals (1)
- Clippings (78)
- Data Checks (2)
- Guest Posts (10)
- Motions (17)
- Open Letters (32)
- Petitions (11)
- Protests (6)
- Queries (2)
- History of the "Academic Planning" Process (10)
- Occupy Queen's (3)
- PSAC 901 (2)
- Queen's Administration Documents (28)
- Recommended Reading (4)
- SGPS (Society of Graduate and Professional Students) (4)
- Themes: (154)
- Academic Freedom (5)
- BFA or Fine Arts (23)
- Class-size (2)
- Consultation / False Consultation (1)
- Copyright (7)
- Course Variants (1)
- Cuts to Programs (24)
- Differentiation of Ontario Universities (10)
- Faculty Board Restructuring (6)
- Financial Constraints (18)
- Globalism (1)
- GPA Grading System (6)
- Grad. Students / Grad Programs (6)
- Interdisciplinarity (1)
- PeopleSoft (1)
- Process (32)
- Public Lectures (1)
- Queen's-Blyth Worldwide (QBW) (4)
- Research Ethics (2)
- Student Debt (3)
- Teaching of Writing (13)
- TFs / TAs (7)
- Tuition / Tuition Hikes (5)
- Undergraduate TAs (6)
- University Governance (20)
- Virtualization / Online learning (37)
- Waste of Resources (1)
- Writing Centre (1)
- Three-year degrees (3)
- Uncategorized (8)
Links
- Academic Plan Forum
- Academic Planning Task Force
- Acronyms for Queen's Etc.
- Budget Cuts Awareness Group (on Facebook)
- CAUT Almanac of PSE 2012-13
- Faculty/School Responses to "Where Next?"
- Governance at Queen's
- Gregory Petsko, A Faustian Bargain
- Macdonald and Shaker, Eduflation and the High Cost of Learning (2012)
- Occupy Queen's
- OCUFA Reports
- On Virtualization and Differentiation of Ontario Universities
- Open Letter to Principal Woolf
- Principal Woolf's "Where Next?"
- Principal Woolf's Academic Writing Team
- Proposed Teaching Building at Queen's
- QERAP Petition and Blog
- QSRAP Petition and Blog
- Queen's Senate Faculty Caucus (SFC) Blog
- QUFA
- QUFA Blog
- TransparentU
- U of O Watch
- Voices – the "Academic Planning" Issue
Meta
Archives
- March 2014
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
-
Join 9 other subscribers
Category Archives: Virtualization / Online learning
New Draft for Academic Plan on Virtualization and Online Learning (18 April 2013)
The Senate Academic Planning Task Force (SAPT) has posted its second draft for Queen’s Academic Plan on Virtualization and Online Learning. The first draft was posted on March 22. For comments on the first draft, see here.
Mark Jones, Clarification of the “Course Variants” Motion (31 March 2013)
The Curriculum Committee (CC) in the Faculty of Arts and Science (FAS) has circulated a memo to Undergraduate Chairs about “course variants” (see appendix, below). The memo refers to a motion I brought before the Faculty Board (FB) in December: … Continue reading
New Questions about Online Learning (26 February 2012)
Some recent articles and studies raise serious questions about the uses of online learning in college and university (updated 4 May 2013):
Mark Jones, Questions Concerning Proposals for Course Redesign (13 February 2013)
From the Arts and Science Faculty Board Agenda for 13 February 2013. For the response, see the Minutes, pp. 8-11. Questions for Dean MacLean, Arts and Science Faculty Board, February 2013 from Mark Jones, Department of English Units in Arts … Continue reading
Mark Jones, Data Check: Recent “Evidence” in Support of Blended and Online Learning (27 January 2013)
The Arts and Science webpage for “Blended Learning”[1] claims that A 2010 meta-analysis of more than a thousand empirical research studies showed that learning outcomes for students taking blended courses were significantly better than those of students receiving purely face-to-face … Continue reading
Arts and Science: Call for Proposals for Course Redesign Project (24 January 2013)
Emailed to departments as a pdf document, Call for Proposals3 Jan 2013, 24 January 2013. Italics and boldface are in the original. See also Associate Dean Ravenscroft’s earlier mailings of February and May 2011 and February 2012. Note that the present memo does not … Continue reading
Podcast: Digital Boon or Digital Doom? The Virtual Future of Higher Education (16 January 2013)
The panel discussion “Digital Boon or Digital Doom?” moderated by Ira Basen (University of Western Ontario, 16 January 2013), including panelists Luis von Ahn, Carnegie Mellon University Elizabeth Hanson, Queen’s University Doug Mann, Western University Jonathan Schaeffer, University of Alberta George … Continue reading
Mark Jones, Comments on the Most Recent Academic Planning Survey (19 December 2012)
The new “Survey for Quality Assurance in Online Courses” (reprinted at the end of this post) is a mess. An academic planning survey should be designed to gather views and information useful for policy recommendations. This one looks more like it’s … Continue reading
Mark Jones, Two Motions for Faculty Board (26 November 2012)
Submitted to the Agenda Committee, 26 November 2012, for the 7 December agenda of Arts and Science Faculty Board. The first motion was debated and referred to the Curriculum Committee (a similar motion to submit all courses for curriculum committee … Continue reading
Elizabeth Hanson, The Fantasy of Online Education (18 September 2012)
Letter to CBC Radio in response to Ira Basen’s documentary, The Big Disruption: Universities in the Digital Age (The Sunday Edition, 9 September 2012). Posted by permission. To CBC Sunday Morning As a professor in an Ontario university I listened with … Continue reading
Mark Jones, Heads Up on Ontario’s Aims for Post-Secondary Education (13 September 2012)
A Provincial “discussion paper,” “Strengthening Ontario’s Centres of Creativity, Innovation and Knowledge” (SOC), was issued by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) on 28 June 2012, and was followed up with a series of “consultations” (really more like … Continue reading
OCUFA: Ontario Government Launches Consultation on University Reform (5 July 2012)
As sent to members by the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations on 5 July 2012 and subsequently posted: On Thursday, June 28, 2012, OCUFA President Constance Adamson and OCUFA staff met with Minister of Training, Colleges, and Universities Glen … Continue reading
OCUFA, Reality Check: Online education is expensive when you do it right (4 June 2012)
From the OCUFA Report, emailed by Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations to members on 4 June 2012. It is not cheap to provide a high quality university education online. At first glance, the operating expense per student appears lower … Continue reading
Mark Jones, Comments on the “Business Case to Grow Distance Enrolments in the Faculty of Arts and Science” (25 May 2012)
re: http://www.queensu.ca/artsci/sites/default/files/Business_Case_Final.pdf The “Business Case to Grow Distance Enrolments in the Faculty of Arts and Science,” which was declared by the Provost to be confidential in early March, was recently released in response to a FIPPA request.[1] One cannot expect … Continue reading
“Business Case” Released (22 May 2012)
Queen’s “Business Case to Grow Distance Enrolments in the Faculty of Arts and Science” (Aug. 2011) has been released in response to a FIPPA request and is now posted on the Arts and Science website. See “Commentary.”
Mark Jones, “Business Case” to be Released under FIPPA (23 April 2012)
On 18 April, Queen’s Access and Privacy Coordinator Diane Kelly responded to a request under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) for the “business case” regarding the expansion of Continuing and Distance Studies (CDS).
Peter Taylor, Some comments on “on-line learning” (17 April 2012)
At some point in last week’s meeting of the A&S Faculty Board, Jordon Morelli declared: for heaven’s sake let’s put this issue to rest and move on with the many issues of substance that confront us (or words to that … Continue reading
Posted in Virtualization / Online learning
1 Comment
Queen’s Journal: Online learning puts revenue first (23 March 2012)
By Mark Jones. As published in Queen’s Journal, 23 March 2012. Promotion of online learning for revenue generation may threaten academic quality and the distinctiveness of a Queen’s degree I recently submitted two questions for Provost Alan Harrison for the March 27 … Continue reading
Queen’s Journal: Blended learning to draw more revenue (16 March 2012)
By Vincent Matak. As published in Queen’s Journal, 16 March 2012. New online components mean increased enrolment for first-year courses University representatives and local government officials met last Friday to discuss the finances of Queen’s blended-learning system. MP for Kingston and the … Continue reading
Posted in Clippings, TFs / TAs, Virtualization / Online learning
1 Comment
Queen’s Secret “Business Case” for Online Learning: Questions for the Provost (13 March 2012)
For this post, please see the Queen’s Senate Faculty Caucus blog.
Mark Jones, Senate Passes Motion to Get Legal Advice (29 February 2012)
As emailed to campus lists, 29 February 2012: Dear Colleagues: Senate passed a motion to get legal advice concerning its own authority on academic decisions by a vote of 28 – 20 at yesterday’s meeting, thanks to very strong student support both in … Continue reading
Ontario Government Policy Paper Recommends 3/5 Online Courses (23 February 2012)
First posted 23 February 2012; updated 28 May 2012. Details are still vague, but a policy paper generated within the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) is reportedly proposing to the Ontario Government that three out of five post-secondary … Continue reading
Faculty of Arts and Science, Course Redesign Project Sessions 2 and 3 (22 February 2012)
As emailed by the Faculty of Arts and Science to Chairs of Undergraduate Studies and Undergraduate Administrative Assistants, for distribution to faculty, 22 February 2012. See also Associate Dean Ravenscroft’s mailings of February and May 2011. Dear Chairs of Undergraduate Studies … Continue reading
Mark Jones, The “Final” Draft: How it’s been Revised, and Why We Should Care (4 November 2011)
A new draft of Queen’s Academic Plan appeared on the APTF website late Wednesday, 2 November. Two days later it was announced to Senators that this is the “final” draft we have all been waiting for, the draft that Senate … Continue reading
Mark Jones, Now is the Time to Speak Out about the Draft Academic Plan (30 September 2011)
Posted 30 September 2011; updated 27 October 2011. A draft academic plan was submitted to Faculty Board in Arts and Science on September 17 and to Senate on September 27. Since the Academic Planning Task Force (APTF) as a whole … Continue reading
Mark Jones, Queen’s Draft Academic Plan as of September 2011: A Dissent (27 September 2011)
As emailed to the Academic Planning Task Force, Senate, and campus lists on 27 September 2011: As an active member of the Academic Planning Task Force from January to July (when I left on sabbatical), I herewith express my dissent … Continue reading
Mark Jones, On Virtualization at Queen’s and Beyond (29 July 2011)
As sent to campus lists, 29 July 2011. To download the draft report, click here: On Virtualization and Differentiation of Ontario Universities Dear Colleagues: I am writing to share with you a report, recently drafted for the Senate Academic Planning Task … Continue reading
COU: ONLINE LEARNING (May 2011)
As posted by the Council of Ontario Universities, May 2011: Digital literacy and expanding access to higher education are the fundamental benefits of an online education ONTARIO ONLINE INSTITUTE With over 10,000 courses and a research portal online, Ontario universities … Continue reading
CHE: Learning Today: the Lasting Value of Place (8 May 2011)
As published in the Chronicle of Higher Education, 8 May 2011: By Joseph E. Aoun At a conference last summer, Bill Gates predicted that “place-based activity in college will be five times less important than it is today.” Noting the … Continue reading
Faculty of Arts and Science Call for Proposals for Course Re-Design (2 May 2011)
From the Faculty of Arts and Science. Emailed to Department Heads by Associate Dean (Studies) Brenda Ravenscroft on 2 May 2011. See also Associate Dean Ravenscroft’s mailings of February 2011 and of 22 February 2012 We are pleased to be able … Continue reading
New Initiatives in Online Learning in Arts and Science: Information for Departments and Instructors (February 2011)
From Arts and Science, emailed to Department Heads, ca. 1 Mar. 2011. See also the follow-ups of 2 May 2011 and 22 February 2012 Context The Faculty of Arts and Science is exploring the possibility of growing enrolments through increasing … Continue reading
About Virtualization (20 August 2010)
By Adèle Mercier (Department of Philosophy) For the last fifteen years, I have been teaching logic very successfully with the help of an interactive computer program we get for free since it was produced by one of my former professors … Continue reading
Queen’s News Centre: Videotaped lectures get high marks (19 July 2010)
As posted in Queen’s News Centre, 19 July 2010: Students and professors involved in testing classroom technology that video-captured and posted lectures to a shared website report the pilot project was a success.
Queen’s Journal: Professors: priceless (1 April 2010)
By Jane Switzer, Queen’s Journal, 1 April 2010: Last week, one of my professors took the first five minutes of class to gauge students’ opinions on the proposed changes to the English department’s curriculum. An hour later the class was … Continue reading
Queen’s Journal: Talking hybrid learning models (26 March 2010)
By Holly Tousignant, Queen’s Journal, 26 March 2010: Students, faculty and administration discuss a potential move to virtualized learning A pilot project from the Principal’s Taskforce on Virtualization put two different models of virtualization into practice this past year.
Objections to the Faculty of Arts and Science Draft Response to Principal’s Vision Statement (18 March 2010): Some Highlights (21 March 2010)
By Mark Jones, as posted in QUFA Forum, 21 March 2010. This piece responds to Draft 2 of the FAS response to Principal Woolf’s “Where Next?” I’ve asked colleagues to come to Faculty Board on Friday to help reject the … Continue reading
Queen’s Financial Update: Virtualization Task Force Final Report (August 2009)
As posted on the Queen’s Financial Update page, August 2009: The Virtualization Task Force was charged with examining the potential for use of information technology and electronic media in reducing costs of instruction, alleviating space constraints associated with growing enrolment, … Continue reading
Real Academic Planning 