H-LTLA Academy – Voting 2021

Part I. Personal Information and Demographic Data

Applicant Full Name

Jonathan Brooks

Applicant Title

Instructional Designer

Institution or System

California State University of San Bernardino

Address for Official Correspondence

PO Box 1599, Crestline, CA 92325

Track of interest

English track

Languages

English

Have teach an online course in the past three years

Yes

Have taken an online course in the past three years

Yes

Have you been in charge of an instructional technology initiative

Yes

Have you been in charge of a distance education initiative

Yes

Years of experience in Higher Education

16-20 years

Part II. Education

Highest Earned Degree

Master of Arts Degree

College/University

California State University of San Bernardino

Field/Major

Education

Next Highest Earned Degree

Bachelor’s Degree

College/University

California State University of San Bernardino

Field/Major

Psychology

Other Degrees Earned

College/University

Field/Major

Psychology

Part III. Experience

Present Responsibilities

Instructional designer primarily responsible for assisting faculty in designing and developing face-to-face, online, and hybrid courses as it pertains to quality standards such as QM and QLT. Manage learning management systems (LMS) and facilitating current transition from Blackboard to Canvas. Designed and led faculty focused professional development workshops. Coordinate the development of instructional materials that are functional, informative, and consistent with sound pedagogical and instructional design principles.

Academic and Professional Distinctions and Honors

I recently achieved my Master of Arts in Education with an Instructional Technology option from California State University of San Bernardino (CSUSB). During my journey, I also completed the coursework required to achieve the E-Learning Certificate offered through that same program. This educational journey, as well as my bachelor’s degree in psychology, has helped guide my professional decisions in education. I have worked in higher education for over 15 years at CSUSB in a variety of educational support roles from smart classroom technology consultant to now instructional designer. Our instructional design team was recently recognized and awarded for the quick and effective move to 100% online during the pandemic and leading countless faculty training workshops.

Civil and Community Activities

Assisted individuals and organizations within the CSUSB community to support conferences and promotional sessions for educational programs.

Professional Goals

I have worked in higher education for over 15 years at CSUSB in a variety of educational support roles from smart classroom technology consultant to now instructional designer. I am passionate about shaping learning and helping students succeed. I hope to continue to gain knowledge and skills that allow me to better serve the students and give back to the community. Eventually I see myself as a leader/manager, where I can have a greater impact and create more positive changes in education.

Please explain what you expect to gain by participating in the H-LTLA

The H-LTLA seems perfectly aligned with my current career trajectory and goals. I hope to gain a better insight into the skills and strategies used in effective leadership, specifically as that applies to learning technologies and the educational environment. I also hope to be able to recognize the unique situations and techniques to better serve the diverse student population at CSUSB.

Part IV. Professional References

Professional Reference #1

Dr. Bradford Owen
Director and Chief Academic Technology Officer
California State University of San Bernardino
909-537-7379
bowen@csusb.edu

Professional Reference #2

Dr. Mihaela Popescu
Faculty Director Extended Reality for Learning Lab
California State University of San Bernardino
909-537-5862
popescum@csusb.edu

Professional Reference #3

Upload a letter from a president, chancellor, or cabinet-level administrator stating the nominee’s qualifications for the program, leadership strengths, and development opportunities.

https://hets.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/145/HETS-Letter-of-Support-JB.pdf

Part V. Initiative and Mentor

Upload a letter describing a project that you will consider implementing at your campus or organization on any of the areas of the Program with the name of your Mentor. Your Mentor can be different from your references and should be a staff with experience in the area selected. The Mentor information will be submitted with the signature to confirm the availability to guide the implementation of your campus initiative.

https://hets.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/145/JonathanBrooks_Project-Proposal_SIGNED.pdf

Part VI. Statement of Purpose

1. From your perspective, what are the top three issues facing higher education today? Why?

My top three issues in higher education, from my perspective as an instructional designer, are:

1. Equal Access
2. Lack of consistency in online courses
3. Too much change

Lack of consistency in online courses, especially now that everyone is teaching online during the pandemic, is a huge issue in higher education. While there are faculty who are well trained and prepared for online instruction there are just as many who are using their course as a shared file drive and never actually connecting with their students. A lot of this comes from lack of preparation with the rushed nature of the move to online and will hopefully begin to be less of an issue in the future with proper training.
Equal access also stems from the move to a virtual environment. While there are plenty of benefits to offering education virtually, we need to remember that not all students have equal access to the technology required for online education. During these times of transition, we need to be aware of how different populations of people can be differently impacted.
Too much change simply refers to the constant need for our students, faculty, and staff to learn some new version of technology. This could be because of a change in software license, system wide change, or just advancement of that specific technology, there are plenty reasons to explore using new learning technologies. However, I think we need to limit these changes to only those that are necessary and/or beneficial, and even then, space out the changes to consider work loads of all university members.

2. What are your own institution’s priorities and challenges with regard to leveraging instructional technology and distance education for the benefit of the entire organization?

I think both a major challenge and thus priority with regards to distance education is equal access to the required technology. There are a lot of great tools and strategies that have been developed in online learning but almost all of them require a certain level of technology readiness and access to things like high speed internet. Especially when working with a diverse student population like at CSUSB, it is critical to not only evaluate how the instructional technology can enhance learning but also are we providing adequate resources for all students to gain access. This can be in terms of providing materials that are ADA compliant and accessible for students who may have disabilities, but it can also apply to leveraging publisher content that requires students to purchase a subscription or have access to specific devices. If we do not consider the ease of access for all of our students, learning technologies that are originally designed to enhance learning end up creating a barrier to it.

3. If have the influence to instill change at your Institution, was one thing you could change, what would that be; and what is the unique aspect of your institution you would like to keep?

One thing I would change at my institution would be to implement a telecommuting policy. After the events of the pandemic and the forced work from home environment, our institution increased in productivity and efficiency. There are still a lot of health concerns associated with returning to the office full time and I think even a hybrid work schedule would greatly increase the mental health and wellbeing of the university. One aspect of my institution I would like to keep is the community. I have been on campus since 2004 and truly appreciate the commitment to diversity and open thinking. I think higher education is about expanding your perspective and examining ideas from another point of view, and the diversity at CSUSB has helped expand my ideas and grow over the years.

Evaluation

Please provide your input for the following candidate application, using a scale from 1 to 3 (based on the rubric and metrics provided for each area):

Applicant name (for your reference): *

Title (for your reference): *

Track of interest (for your reference): *

Part I. Personal Information and Demographic Data

Part I. Personal Information and Demographic Data: Please provide your input using a scale from 1 to 3 with the following metrics: 1 – (Poor: Have not taught or taken an online course, or have not been in charge of instructional technology or a distance education initiative, and have less than 5 years of experience in Higher Ed.); 2- (Good: Have taught or taken at least two online courses, or have been in charge of instructional technology or a distance education initiative, and have between 6 and 10 years of experience in Higher Ed.); 3- (Excellent: Have taught or taken two or more online courses, have been in charge of instructional technology or a distance education initiative, and have between 11 and 20 or more years of experience in Higher Ed.) *

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Part II. Education

Part II. Education: Please provide your input using a scale from 1 to 3 with the following metrics: 1- (Poor: Bachelor’s degree or less than a bachelor’s degree in any academic Field); 2- (Good: Bachelor’s degree in Education with a major related to Learning Technologies or Distance Ed., or a master’s degree in Education); 3- (Excellent: Master or courses towards a doctor degree, or a doctor’s degrees in Education related to Learning Technologies or Distance Ed.) *

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Part III. Experience:

Present Responsibilities, distinctions, and activities: 1- (Poor: Not present responsibilities related to Learning Technologies or Distance Ed., and doesn't have distinctions or activities related to the fields); 2- (Good: Present responsibilities related to Learning Technologies or Distance Ed., and mentioned distinctions or activities related to the fields); 3- (Excellent: Present responsibilities related to management or supervision of Learning Technologies or Distance Ed. initiatives, and mentioned the distinctions or activities related to the fields). *

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Professional Goals: Professional Goals: 1 – (Poor: Goals described are not related to Learning Technologies or Distance Ed. Initiatives); 2 – (Good: Goals described are related to Learning Technologies or Distance Ed. Initiatives); 3 – (Excellent: Goals described are innovative and related to the management or supervision of Learning Technologies or Distance Ed. Initiatives). *

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Please explain what you expect to gain by participating in the H-LTLA: Please explain what you expect to gain by participating in the H-LTLA: 1 – (Poor: Candidate’s expectations are not aligned with the H-LTLA curriculum and competencies); 2 – (Good: Candidate’s expectations are in some way aligned with the H-LTLA curriculum and competencies); 3 – (Excellent: Candidate’s expectations are significantly aligned with the H-LTLA curriculum and competencies) *

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Part IV. Professional References

Part IV. Professional References: Please provide your input using a scale from 1 to 3 with the following metrics: 1 – (Poor: Provided are one or two references and are not related to Learning Technologies or Distance Ed. Faculty or Administrators, and the nomination letter is pending); 2 – (Good: Provided two references and are related to Learning Technologies or Distance Ed. Faculty or Administrators, and included the nomination letter or provided the evidence that is in process); 3 – (Excellent: Provided more than two references and are related to Learning Technologies or Distance Ed. Administrators, and included the nomination letter) *

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Part V. Initiative and Mentor

Part V. Initiative and Mentor: Please provide your input using a scale from 1 to 3 with the following metrics: 1 – (Poor: The candidate’s initiative is unclear or not aligned with the H-LTLA curriculum and competencies, and the mentor does not seem to have experience in the proposed initiative area.); 2 – (Good: The candidate’s initiative is clear and somehow aligned with the H-LTLA curriculum and competencies, and the mentor seems to have some experience in the proposed initiative area.); 3 – (Excellent: The candidate’s initiative is clear and very aligned with the H-LTLA curriculum and competencies, and the mentor seems to have a lot of experience in the proposed initiative area) *

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Part VI. Statement of Purpose:

1. From your perspective, what are the top three issues facing higher education today? Why? Please provide your input using a scale from 1 to 3 with the following metrics: 1 – (Poor: The issues and explanations are not clear or pertinent to the education reality today); 2 – (Good: The issues and explanations are somehow clear or pertinent to the education reality today); 3 – (Excellent: The issues and explanations are very clear and pertinent to the education reality today) *

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2. What are your own institution’s priorities and challenges with regard to leveraging instructional technology and distance education for the benefit of the entire organization? Please provide your input using a scale from 1 to 3 with the following metrics: 1 – (Poor: The priorities and challenges described are not directly related to leveraging instructional technology and distance education); 2 – (Good: The priorities and challenges described are somehow related to leveraging instructional technology and distance education); 3 – (Excellent: The priorities and challenges described are directly related to leveraging instructional technology and distance education.) *

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3. If have the influence to instill change at your Institution, was one thing you could change, what would that be; and what is the unique aspect of your institution you would like to keep? Please provide your input using a scale from 1 to 3 with the following metrics: 1 – (Poor: Only mention one aspect, and is not directly related to a thing that he/she could change or keep at his/her Institution); 2 – (Good: Mention one or two aspects, and are somehow related to a thing that he/she could change or keep at his/her Institution); 3 – (Excellent: Mention both aspects and are related to a thing that he/she could change and keep at his/her Institution.) *

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Name of the Evaluation Board Member *

Evaluation Board Member Comments about the Applicant: Please write your recommendations or additional feedback

Please select the best category that applies to this candidate based on the following criteria

Please select the best category that applies to this candidate based on the following criteria: 1-Beginner: Obtained mostly 1 point in Personal Information and Demographic Data; Education; Present Responsibilities distinctions, and activities; and Initiative and Mentor; but the rest of the categories could score 1, 2 or 3); 2- Intermediate: Obtained mostly 2 points in Personal Information and Demographic Data; Education; Present Responsibilities distinctions, and activities; and Initiative and Mentor; but the rest of the categories could score 1, 2 or 3); 3- Advanced: Obtained mostly 3 points in Personal Information and Demographic Data; Education; Present Responsibilities distinctions, and activities; and Initiative and Mentor; but the rest of the categories could score 1, 2 or 3) *

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