What a week!
The EnterpriseOhio Network had its annual 3-day conference in Columbus November 7-9, including celebrating the Network's 20th anniversary. If you don't know, EON represents what are known as "Business & Industry" departments in the 53 community colleges and satellites campuses that are members. These groups bring in revenue by packaging up custom training programs and other continuing education programs for specific businesses or other interest groups in their respective communities. In short - they are among the most entrepreneurial staff members of our higher educational system.
These conferences always are energizing because so many attendees (a total of about 200 this year) are seeking to learn - about new programs, new techniques, new constituents and more. The reception of this group for the ICDL program has been great - and it's always a challenge to find new ways to describe ICDL and its strengths and potentials - in a way that will help EONers promote the program locally.
I came up with a presentation that I believe will become the bedrock for future presentations and conversation about ICDL - and was able to make the delicate connection between computer skills training and elephants and Napoleon's failed campaign to capture Moscow in 1812. Not many people would attempt such a montage, but I am fearless.
We were able to have some have some additional fun at EON: Ohio Computing Unlimited sponsored a contest where everyone who completed one of the TechReady Assessments was entered in a drawing - held the last night of the Conference - for a video iPod.
And the Winners Are: Tracy Egert (right)of Owens Community College (Toledo) won the drawing for the iPod. And Tamara Norris (left) of Northwest State Community College (Archbold) won a special recognition for her high score of the contest - 98%!! The deliverable was a hat that reads "Tops @ TechReady, EON 2006." Congratulations to both of you! And to everyone who participated (and can still participate - in the sense of getting familiar with the assessment)!
And I can't leave the subject without sincere thanks to Gretchen Skok-DiSanto, who organizes the event (with the help of a small, talented staff) and has always been so supportive of our OCU/ICDL efforts, and Robert Johnson, my senior partner introducing ICDL around EON. Without you guys, I'd still be looking for the door!
Later I had the privilege of speaking with a number of people who work for the career centers around Ohio. These organizations are under the umbrella of the Ohio Department of Education (as opposed to to community college under the auspices of the Ohio Board of Regents). These institutions have been pursuing programs in basic skills for a long time, and many have expressed an interest in some of the features of ICDL. Gloria Balch of the Tri-County Vocational School Adult Career Center hosted the session at which I presented, and her support was greatly appreciated. Also Dora Zandarski of the Trumbull County Center, and Sue Gibson of Mid-East Career Center in Zanesville, attended. Dora has been teaching ICDL for three years, and Sue's school has just recently fired up a program. So they were able to support my high level presentation with some good practical experience-based information.
These experiences always invigorate me and I look forward to more. Thanks to all!
(-- originally posted by Rich Bowers, Coordinator, Ohio IT Clearinghouse)