Collaboration and Learning Technologies Terms of Reference June 2007

1. Introduction

Due to increasing similarity, the once separate Collaboration Technologies and Learning Technologies working groups (CLTWG) are merging to form the Collaboration and Learning Technologies Working Group.

The use of learning technology applications, such as course management systems (e.g., WebCT) have moved into the enterprise realm requiring substantial human and capital investments in higher education institutions. Support staff and the faculty they assist are challenged to keep pace with the number and variety of learning technology applications being developed.

Meanwhile, universities and research institutions need to collaborate with each other, which can be time-consuming and cost-extensive if commuting between cities is required. Furthermore, professional programs, such as law and medicine are looking for innovative ways to increase their program-reach to outlying communities.

The evolving importance and widespread use of collaboration technologies in the province combined with the seemingly overnight use of learning technology applications demonstrates that there is a need to engage members of the BCNET community in the Collaboration and Learning Technologies working group.

2. Purpose

The Collaboration and Learning Technologies working group will engage members of the BCNET community in order to promote the use of collaboration and learning technologies at BCNET member institutions. The group will convene to investigate emerging technologies that could have implications for BCNET and its members including but not limited to videoconferencing, VoIP, screencasting, and podcasting, e-learning, teaching and learning applications, and educational software. The working group will also serve as the steering committee for BCNET's internal use of collaboration technologies.

BCNET connects with sectors of the higher education community which implement strategies for technology usage and lead research in technology development. Ultimately, the use of technologies is informed by learning, teaching and research.

As a working group under the direction of the Applications Advisory Committee (APAC), CLTWG sees its role as being the end-users of the technologies and initiatives that are being led by other APAC working groups. The working group will advise APAC on the needs of member institutions regarding the use of learning technologies over the network as addressed and discussed by member representatives.

The working group:

• Will place a strong focus on the advantages and challenges faced by BCNET member institutions using the network in association with learning technologies.
  
• Will work in collaboration with BCNET working groups to develop initiatives that are informed by "users".
  
• Will investigate an "infrastructure for sharing" between institutions, providing a forum for sharing plans on the development of learning technologies facilities, current membership initiatives, and best practices.
  
• Will seek to facilitate collaboration and partnering of BCNET member institutions.
  
• Will create a venue for the professional development of learning technologies professionals from BCNET member institutions.
  
• Will focus on emerging collaboration technologies that may or may not be addressed in other learning technologies forums.

3. Membership

The Collaboration and Learning Technologies working group will consist of representatives from each of the BCNET member institutions as well as appropriate members of the BCNET staff.

Current Membership

Richard Smith, SFU (Chair)
Stan Shaw, UBC
Mark Zuberbuhler, UBC
Andrew Daviel, TRIUMF
Michael Keating, UVic
Keir Novik, BCNET
Michael Hrybyk, BCNET
Michelle Lamberson, UBC (Chair)
Elizabeth Wellburn, RRU
Lynda Williams, UNBC
Frances Atkinson, SFU
Maggie Beers, BCIT
Ulrich Rauch, UBC
Paul Stacey, BCCampus
Ross Johnson, Counterpath
Terry Fuller, BCIT

4. Activities / Deliverables

• Convene regularly to facilitate open discussion regarding experience with/use of particular technologies.
  
• Experiment with emerging collaboration technologies with the assistance of the BCNET staff.
  
• Provide direction for internal BCNET use of collaboration technology.
  
• Provide feedback on BCNET Operational Plan as it pertains to the objectives of this group.
  
• Provide input on the BCNET Annual Conference.
  
• Hold workshops as necessary.
  
• Identify expertise.
  
• Distribute expertise through mini "staff exchanges".
  
• Create a mechanism for sharing information between BCNET working groups so that learning technologies member representatives can better understand how the major BCNET infrastructure can affect the learning process.
  
• Engage vendors in BCNET community-wide learning technologies initiatives.
  
• Identify "pilots" to give other working groups focus.
  
  
  

5. Operations

The working group will meet at least three times each fiscal year. One of those meetings should be held coincident with the annual conference. All meetings will use videoconferencing for those members who are unable to attend at the BCNET office.

Agenda and prior meeting minutes will be distributed to members in advance of all meetings.

Meeting minutes will be produced and forwarded to APAC.

A chair will be appointed, assisted by a co-chair. The chair, or in his/her absence, the co-chair, will organize and run all meetings.

Recommendations will be made to APAC via resolutions contained in meeting minutes.

BCNET staff will be responsible for creating draft documents and meeting minutes.

The Working Group is openly accessible to BCNET Board members, other working groups and staff.