Embedded Files
Division NewsLetter
Division NewsLetter
Innovation Connections is a monthly newsletter that features Instructional Innovation Division updates and college-wide innovation and collaboration. Contact Luann Crosby, Director of Library Services, if you wish to contribute to the content.
Message FROM THE DEAN
Message FROM THE DEAN
April was a busy month for conference travels. I had the opportunity to attend two important events: the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Annual Conference and the AZTransfer Summit. Both provided a valuable perspective on the evolving landscape of higher education. Here are some of my takeaways.
At the HLC Conference, there were discussions about critical issues facing higher education nationally, including the opportunities and challenges presented by AI, paradigm shifts in teaching, learning and enrollment, and the increasing need for accountability and innovation within our programs and institutions. Financial sustainability, talent management, the growth of short-term credentials, and the effects of political, social, and regulatory changes on education were also emphasized. One of the themes was...
meet our staff
meet our staff
Babette Kraft, Instructional Designer
Babette Kraft, Instructional Designer
Where are you from originally and/or currently?
I am originally from Texas. I grew up in the Panhandle. I spent time in East Asia as an ESL teacher. When I returned to the US, I lived in New Mexico while earning my graduate degree. I came to the Phoenix area in 2015 for my first instructional design job. Now I live in Prescott, AZ. I love the Southwest!
What is your educational background?
My educational background could be described as "humanities heavy." I have a dual BA from the University of North Texas in Philosophy and General Studies with two minors, in Religion and Japanese. I earned my MA at the University of New Mexico in Organization, Information and Learning Sciences with a focus in Instructional Design and Digital Learning. Also, I was recently accepted into an MS program for Graphic Information Technology at ASU.
What do you love doing the most in your work?
This may seem obvious but I love learning, I always have. My main focus is making sure others love learning just as much as I do. The thing I like to do is to remove barriers for others and to improve the quality of their learning experience so instead of feeling frustrated they walk away feeling like they want to come back for more.
If you were to take a course in something, what would it be?
This fall I will be taking courses in user experience design and visual design. Also for the last three years, I've been studying Nahuatl which is a Mexican Indigenous language.
What are your favorite things to do/eat/read?
My favorite foods include Mexican food, (authentic) Chinese food, Japanese food, Tai food, Vietnamese food, Indian food and Italian food etc. Actually, I think I just like eating good food! I have a lot of hobbies. I like fiber arts (crocheting, knitting, embroidery etc); I write poetry; I watercolor, I started gardening and I grow carnivorous plants. Also, I stared learning amateur astronomy and astrophotography. I'm an avid reader. Most of what I read is fantasy, science fiction, and horror.
What goal are you dreaming about completing?
Right now, I'll be focused on completing an MS! I do have a growing bucket list. I would like to take my kids to Japan to visit friends there. As well as I would like to visit Iceland to see the Aurora Borealis to take pictures. Oh and since the World Cup is coming to North America in 2026, I would like to attend at least one game in-person!
EARLY COLLEGE
EARLY COLLEGE
Early College is plugging along, getting ready for Summer and Fall 24. The Deans and Director have worked really hard to create a set TALON schedule. It has been implemented and students are already registering for classes. This process is streamlined and will save so much time and stress for everyone involved. This will also lead to us being able to complete Dual Enrollment registration so much sooner.
Thanks to the help of Deb Stuart in TAS we were able to get our Community Partners SharePoint up. Our high school partners can now share documents with us and get Early College information at the click of a button. This is part of our Strategic Communication Plan to communicate more effectively with all of our high school constituents. Next step is getting our social media up and running.
Lastly, all of our advisors attended the AZ Transfer Summit and came back with some great ideas on advising our high school students to complete a degree, certificate or AGEC.
LIBRARY SERVICES
LIBRARY SERVICES
The Library hosted a booth at NPC's recent Eagle Fest held at the White Mountain Campus. Participants who visited the booth were invited to create their own embossed paper strip bookmark. No two bookmarks were the same, and the level of creativity displayed was impressive! Thanks so much to all who participated! Click to read our May newsletter and see photos of some of the participants and their bookmarks.
Join us for upcoming library events! Thursday, May 16 will be the last chance this semester to discuss whatever you are reading at the Fantastic Books and Where to Find Them book club. Upcoming activities for Discovery Nest at the SCC Campus will be on June 3, 10, and 17. Click the links for details!
Office of accessibility and inclusion
Office of accessibility and inclusion
Another month has come and gone moving us closer to the end of the semester and I hope wonderful plans with family and friend during the summer months. Things here in OAI have been taking shape very nicely. The office is pretty much together and we are now set up to support accommodated placement testing needs in our space.
Inventory needs that were mentioned in last months letter are getting taken care of. Heather Williams has done an amazing job at tracking, recording and requesting that all of the damaged and outdated assistive technology be disposed of properly.
During April, OAI participated at the Spring 2024 Eagle Fest at the White Mountain Campus. We did our best to not only share information about OAI, but we also tried to create a few different interactive experiences demonstrating the impact of visual disabilities along with sharing examples of some assistive technology. Once again Heather made this event possible and represented OAI 110%. Thank you for all of your hard work Heather!
The OAI booth at Eagle Fest.
Instructional Technology and Curriculum Support
Instructional Technology and Curriculum Support
Click below to read about the winner of the 2024 Innovation of the Year Award at NPC, details about the new AI Teaching Resources page recently added to the eResource Center website, some Moodle end of semester tips, and curriculum updates in the May 2024 ITCS newsletter.
ODds and Ends
ODds and Ends
Photo by ThisIsEngineering on Pexels.
The idea for a week to honor teachers began more than 70 years ago with first lady Eleanor Roosevelt. This year's theme is "Teachers are Shining Stars."
Photo by Alena Darmel on Pexels.
Cinco de Mayo commemorates a regional Mexican military battle, but it has evolved to become an important celebration of Mexican culture in the United States. Even though Cinco de Mayo has just passed, it's never too late to enjoy the recipes shared here.
Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.
There are many words once used in the English language that have become obsolete. There are some old words that are nearly obsolete, but we still recognize them because they were lucky enough to get stuck in set phrases that have lasted across the centuries.
Page updated
Report abuse