In each edition we chat with a different Community member. In this issue:
Kyle Mackie
Kyle Mackie
Manager of Courseware Services
University of Guelph
Community Coordinator (CC): "Three words. Org Unit 1."
Kyle Mackie (KM): "Over 8 years ago, I was part of the team who created org unit 1."
CC: "And I've heard you have the tshirt to prove it."
KM: "I do have a tshirt that says, "Ask me about org unit 1."
CC: "I heard that when I first started at D2L over 5 years ago. So it's not just an urban legend. What was the course subject?"
KM: "Hospitality and Tourism Management, part of the Guelph MBA program."
CC: "You were originally a drama major?"
KM: "I received my Honours B.A. from the University of Guelph. I majored in Drama, and focused on design. I worked with TVOntario for a couple years before accepting my first position with the UofG. I've taken Distance Ed courses from both Athabasca and University of British Columbia."
CC: "What was it like being a distance ed student back then? Has online learning evolved and if so how?"
KM: "A lot more rich in terms of media that's available. Tools have evolved so users feel more connected. People are generally more used to receiving their information digitally. I recall the courses back then at Athabasca were mostly text based with binders. We had a Web CT site for asking questions but it was clunky. Essentially it was a bunch of disjointed pieces and the website was tacked on as an additional resource but not well integrated."
CC: "If we were on a tour of the University of Guelph right now, what information would you share with visitors?"
KM: "The University of Guelph, also known as U of G, is a medium-sized university located in Guelph, Ontario, established in 1964. While the U of G offers degrees in many different disciplines, the university is best known for its focus on life sciences, based in part on a long-standing history of achievement in Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine and within Canada for its School of Fine Art and Music. The University of Guelph has over 90 majors in 13 degree programs and 63 Open Learning/Distance Education Opportunities. The University is home to 17,332 full-time and part-time undergraduate students, 2,076 full-time and part-time graduate students and almost 3000 faculty and staff."
CC: "When you and I first met, you were with the Office of Open Learning. Can you share with the Community what your role entailed to bring us up-to-date with your current role."
KM: "I worked with the Office of Open Learning as the eLearning Program Manager, leading a team responsible for the creation, maintenance and support of fully online distance and continuing education courses, using Desire2Learn.
Currently, I'm the Manager of Courseware Services with Teaching Support Services. I work with a small team that works with instructors to incorporate technology into their face to face and hybrid course offerings. We're in the process of migrating all of these courses from Blackboard to D2L by Fall 2009."
Currently, I'm the Manager of Courseware Services with Teaching Support Services. I work with a small team that works with instructors to incorporate technology into their face to face and hybrid course offerings. We're in the process of migrating all of these courses from Blackboard to D2L by Fall 2009."
The University of Guelph is migrating all of its online courses to Desire2Learn. Click the image below for more details.
CC: "Read your FUSION ePortfolio. Nice work!"
Special guest access to Kyle's ePortfolio
KM: "ePortfolio provides a great opportunity for learners to collect artefacts and reflections throughout their learning journey.
We're currently using the ePortfolio to compile exemplars of approaches to course design and tool use. I can't wait to start to work with different learners, instructors and departments to begin to incorporate this tool into our learning environment."
CC: "What other advances in eLearning have captured your attention?"
KM: "What I'm interested in lately is the concept of user-generated content. I think with a couple changes to the interface, learners could be able to create and share their own quizzes, articles, and course content."
CC: "You've touched on a major path of the product roadmap. I witnessed the power of user generated content when my sons were able to create an online course in Desire2Learn for their science project. What future directions would you like to see for the Community?"
KM: "There needs to be more opportunity to share and collaborate. Maybe through the use of the Learning Repository, partner institutions could create common orientation and help files. It would be great if we could have a place to showcase and share widgets as well."
CC: "I couldn't agree with you more, Kyle. Many collaboration areas are currently under development in the Community. Users who are interested in helping to form the Community LOR Committee are welcome to contact me at Community@Desire2Learn.com.
Watch the Community News on the My Homepage for further announcements on other developing opportunities.
The Widgets course is now open! Community members are invited to Self Register to join the ongoing partnerships that are forming over the development of custom widgets."
Watch the Community News on the My Homepage for further announcements on other developing opportunities.
The Widgets course is now open! Community members are invited to Self Register to join the ongoing partnerships that are forming over the development of custom widgets."
Is there a Community member you'd like to see profiled here? Send your suggestions to Cara Scott, Community Coordinator at Community@Desire2Learn.com