------------------------------------------------------------------ PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAVE - OCTOBER 31, 2007 ------------------------------------------------------------------ for Ian D. Allen - Professor - Advanced Technology - Computer Studies June 15 2008 to June 15 2009 *** OBJECTIVES: 1. To acquire practical Linux/Unix industry experience. 2. To obtain recognized Linux certification (pass a certification exam at the Linux Professional Institute) that documents my industry experience. 3. To develop virtualized Linux teaching environments that permit "anywhere, anytime" and hybrid teaching of Linux/Unix courses. Provide virtualization expertise to incumbent Linux/Unix professors to permit them to "hybridize" their course development. 4. Acquire expertise with the evaluation and installation of open source web-based Content Management Systems (CMS), giving me expertise in teaching web programming and content management courses. Install a CMS for an industry client. *** RELATIONSHIP TO CURRENT (OR FUTURE) ROLE AT COLLEGE (DETAILED PROPOSAL): 1. Acquire Industry Experience Industry experience is applicable to teaching advanced courses in Linux/Unix programming and networking, and to providing direction to the Computing Science program renewal on the issue of network programming in the Linux/Unix environment. I am assigned to teach advanced Linux programming and network courses within the department; yet, I have no industry background or professional certification for this assignment. The Linux operating system was unheard of in the enterprise market at the time I joined Algonquin in 1996. In 2007, Linux makes the headlines in both industry and public media; large companies such as IBM and Novell now support it. All this has happened since I joined the College. I am being asked to provide expert guidance for advanced courses in subjects in which I have no practical big-industry experience. To prepare relevant advanced courses in Linux, I need advanced and varied Linux industry experience. I seek time to work in the employment environment for which we are producing graduates. 2. Obtain Industry Certification Following a successful work term in industry, I would have the background needed to to become Linux-certified by passing an exam from the Linux Professional Institute (LPI). In keeping with the College vision to employ "exceptional faculty", having LPI-certified Linux faculty contributes to the promotion and credentials of the Computer Studies department. 3. Develop Hybrid Course environments: anywhere, anytime, learning Students expect to be able to work on their assignments anywhere, anytime; failure to provide this results in student attrition. With the availability of free virtual machine environments, students could do many of their advanced Linux networking and operating systems assignments in a virtual setting, even under a Microsoft host operating system. Lab time would be freed up. I have already obtained free College student access to the VMware suite of virtualization tools. I have experimented with VMware environments for one BIT/NET course (NET2003 - Unix and Linux operating systems). I want to develop more robust virtual environments for NET2003 and other network and operating systems courses such as CST8165 (Communications and Networking II) and CST8263 (Operating Systems Development). I would work with incumbent professors teaching Linux courses, providing virtualization expertise during course development through 2008-2009. Successful virtualization would free up lab space and facilitate the hybridization of even advanced network or operating system courses. 4. New training: Content Management Systems (CMS) Modern web sites need rapid updating. Content management systems put the web site control in the hands of the enterprise/organization. Learning how enterprise CMS work is a natural deepening and extension of my basic Linux skills. Understanding how to evaluate and install a CMS for an organization involves a diverse knowledge and applicaiton of web programing and CGI, PHP, Perl, and database (e.g. MySQL). All these skills are relevant to teaching advanced web-related courses in the department. I would find one or more industry clients and do an evaluation/install of a CMS for these clients. *** DETAILED ACTIVITY PLAN - PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAVE ACTIVITY / ORGANIZATION / DURATION To be developed upon acceptance: 1. Work in one or more Linux jobs in industry. - tentative: Adobe, XDS, others (see below) 2. Write the LPI Linux certification exam. 3. Develop virtualized courseware. 4. Learn to evaluate/install CMS. *** SPECIFIC OUTCOMES (APPLICATIONS) OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAVE UPON RETURN 1. Become Linux certified through the Linux Professional Institute. 2. Create virtualization environments for networking courses NET2003 and CST8165. Provide Linux virtualization environments and support to other professors to "hybridize" their Linux courses. 3. Demonstrate a CMS installation for an industry client. ============================================================================== * CUT HERE - the following information is not part of the official form ============================================================================== Appendix I - Ubuntu Certified Professional http://www.ubuntu.com/training/certificationcourses Ubuntu Certified Professional The Ubuntu Certified Professional is a training certification based on the LPI level 1 certification. To earn the Ubuntu Professional Certification, candidates are required to pass the LPI 101, LPI 102 and the Ubuntu (LPI 199) exams. Two, five day courses, Ubuntu Professional Courses 1 & 2, will assist System Administrators to pass the required exams and achieve the Ubuntu Certified Professional certification. The certification is designed for System Administrator levels and tests the candidate's ability to: * Configure a network of Ubuntu systems * Understand security and package management fundamentals * Perform key maintenance tasks Ubuntu Desktop Courses Designed for home and enterprise users of Ubuntu desktop, these comprehensive courses will be based on Ubuntu 7.10 release version and will assist users to: * Get started with Ubuntu * Connect to and browse the Internet; use email, instant messaging and more * Work with OpenOffice applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, presentations * Use multi-media, music and video applications These courses will be available in Q4 2007 in both classroom and distance learning formats. http://ubuntu.savoirfairelinux.com/elearning/ http://webapps.ubuntu.com/course_locator/country_CA/ ============================================================================== Algonquin supporting documentation: ============================================================================== ~/teaching/Algonquin/2008strategicPlan.pdf http://lts3.algonquincollege.com/strategicplan/frames/identify.aro Within our over-arching mission of promoting student success, we have heard clearly that you see 4 major areas that must become the focus for college activities. These strategic themes are: Academic Excellence, Employee Excellence, Service Excellence and Resource Management Excellence. Within these themes, based upon your input to date, we have identified 14 draft objectives and we have developed some examples of initiatives that would help to achieve the objectives. http://www.algonquincollege.com/strategicplan/vision.htm Sample: VISION 20/20 Algonquin College is internationally recognized as a twenty-first century public education institution of distinction for the quality and comprehensiveness of its programs and services which are focused on the needs of the learners and the community and on inspiring student success. The College has innovative leadership and strives for sustainability, inclusiveness, and intellectual development by providing a vibrant learning environment supported by sophisticated technologies and strengthened by exceptional faculty and staff who support and challenge our students and who embrace the wide range of learning styles and needs. Through a network of partnerships with educational institutions, employers, agencies and students, Algonquin College prepares students for their career of choice and lifelong learning by fostering critical thinking, problem solving, civic, social and business skills so that its graduates are sought after by the employer community and will be engaged citizens and future leaders as they embrace the global economy. Town Hall comments "I strongly believe that if faculty members spent approximately 6 months in the industry they would experience first-hand the "real" life and the ever-changing world. We have some faculty members who have been here more than fifteen years who have no clue what the technology is like out there. I would focus on faculty members who have been away from industry for 10 years of more." http://lts3.algonquincollege.com/strategicplan/frames/ EMPLOYEE EXCELLENCE "Algonquin is committed to become the leading Ontario College in the ongoing professional training and development of faculty and staff" 9. Provide academic staff with the pedagogical knowledge required to ensure the delivery of an exceptional teaching / learning environment. a. Enhance the capacity of the College to provide comprehensive pedagogical training for all academic staff. b. Develop and implement best practices associated with the professor in the 21st century. 10. Support all faculty and staff in their personal development with training and mentorship opportunities including the appropriate training to maximize the benefits of technology. a. Commit to the preparation of individual learning plans for all employees. b. Develop a College-wide mentorship program for new employees. c. Enhance Staff and Faculty training to expand their use of technology in academic and service delivery including mobile and virtual learning opportunities. d. Expand orientation activities for new faculty and staff. e. Implement a College succession plan.