Applied Research What is it Good for? Focus on Learning, Part 2
Mark Hoddenbagh 2012 June 05 St. Lawrence College
Slide 2
Through active participation in the Focus on Learning Program,
participants will have demonstrated their ability to facilitate and
guide learning that supports diverse learners in their achievement
of learning outcomes. Elements of performance: Create an
environment conducive to learning Select, adapt and design learning
experiences appropriate for a variety of learning styles and
learning needs Help learners process experiences and derive meaning
from them Provide specific, constructive feedback that helps
learners assess their progress toward the achievement of learning
outcomes Program Learning Outcomes
Slide 3
Create and use a personal action plan that enhances
professional practice. Elements of performance: Set clear goals for
personal change in their professional practice Contribute to a
learning culture that encourages risk-taking, continuous learning,
reflective practice and peer support Identify and assess the impact
of their teaching practice on learners achievement Program Learning
Outcomes
Slide 4
Activities that focus on the development and
implementation/commercialization of products, processes and
services that lead to stronger organizations For profit - jobs, new
markets, economic growth NFP improved efficiencies, effectiveness
Government higher productivity, better service What is Applied
Research?
Slide 5
Doing new things old ways. Doing old things new ways. Doing new
things new ways. What is Innovation?
Slide 6
In which areas/fields can Applied Research be done?
Slide 7
How does Applied Research work? Client brings problem/
opportunity to college Applied Research office provides assistance.
Helps identify: Students Faculty Funder Project Team Desired
product, process, service
Slide 8
One of the highest forms of Experiential Learning Students get
a real-life experience prior to graduation Projects mimic the
workplace Provides a skill set that is valued by employers Develop
interdisciplinary understanding Helps develop vocational skills
Provides perspective on General Education Themes Addresses the 11
Essential Employability Skills What does Applied Research have to
do with a College education?
Slide 9
1. Arts in Society 2. Civic Life 3. Social and Cultural
Understanding 4. Personal Understanding 5. Science and Technology
General Education Themes
Slide 10
1. Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written,
spoken, and visual form that fulfills the purpose and meets the
needs of the audience. 2. Respond to written, spoken, or visual
messages in a manner that ensures effective communication. 3.
Execute mathematical operations accurately. 4. Apply a systematic
approach to solve problems. 5. Use a variety of thinking skills to
anticipate and solve problems. 6. Locate, select, organize, and
document information using appropriate technology and information
systems. 7. Analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from
a variety of sources. 8. Show respect for the diverse opinions,
values, belief systems, and contributions of others. 9. Interact
with others in groups or teams in ways that contribute to effective
working relationships and the achievement of goals. 10. Manage the
use of time and other resources to complete projects. 11. Take
responsibility for ones own actions, decisions, and consequences.
11 Essential Employability Skills
Slide 11
Professional development Keep up with advances in field of
teaching Strengthen ties to external community Broaden internal
horizons Interdisciplinary projects Access to funding for: Projects
Travel to conferences Whats in it for faculty?
Slide 12
Access to students, faculty expertise, leveraged funding Option
for College to become pilot test site Product, process, service
closer to implementation or commercialization Introduction to other
clients/potential customers Assistance in international market
Access to Highly Qualified and Skilled Personnel 4-8 month job
interviews Benefits for Clients?
Slide 13
Sample Projects CHEO symbology for prescription drugs JUNO
Awards economic impact B-Con Engineering novel optical devices
EdeyFX vertical axis wind turbine TimekeeperPro scoreboard 1 st
Place in OCE Discovery College Connections competition Devera IT
policy management
Slide 14
Applied Research Process Problem solving approach Can be used
in all areas of life, not just formal research Focus on problem or
opportunity Clearly define problem/opportunity and desired outcome
Write problem/opportunity statement Need SMART statement Specific
Measurable Attainable Relevant Timely
Slide 15
Applied Research Process List potential outcomes May not also
get what desire/expect so planning ahead will enable you to be
prepared for this List contingencies/actions to be taken with each
outcome Will enable you to react more quickly to changes Set work
plan Execute project Close the loop Assess outcome versus initial
statement Reporting Determine path forward
Slide 16
Case Study Your lawn needs help! Your backyard lawn is in bad
shape. It has large brown patches, mushrooms, lots of weeds and any
green grass there is appears to be dying, not thriving. Your yard
is 100 deep and 60 wide, has a cedar hedge on the west side, a
vegetable garden at the back (northeast corner) that is 10D x 30W,
and chain link fence on the north, east and south sides. There is a
small deck (10x10) attached to the house and a patio that is
10Dx20W off of the deck. My disposable income after taxes and
expenses is about $800/month.
Slide 17
Incorporating Applied Research into Education Fundamental
Guidelines Have professor involved Have students involved
(typically) Have Applied Research office involved Encourage working
with industrial partner from beginning Meet all clients needs
whether business or technical College Provides Faculty (through
course of SWF release) Infrastructure physical, financial, legal
Some funding Applied Research office
Slide 18
Liaise with client Scope and execute project Write final report
Get course credits Display at Applied Research Day Liaise with
client Scope and execute project Write final report Get course
credits Display at Applied Research Day Team Roles Applied Research
Office STUDENT CLIENT PROFFUNDER Bring research idea/ problem to be
solved Provide guidance to students Provide resources Bring
research idea/ problem to be solved Provide guidance to students
Provide resources Provide funds Introduce us to SME partners
Independent analysis of clients Provide funds Introduce us to SME
partners Independent analysis of clients Liaise with funders,
clients Purchasing Budgeting Contracts Networking Host Applied
Research Day Liaise with funders, clients Purchasing Budgeting
Contracts Networking Host Applied Research Day Vetting of clients
Timeline and Milestones Setting/Advising/managing student teams
Project review and assessment Vetting of clients Timeline and
Milestones Setting/Advising/managing student teams Project review
and assessment
Slide 19
Standalone Projects (SAP) Cash is King! Faculty member
Full-timer SWF buy-out/11 th month Depends on funding level and
time commitments Part-timer paid as Research Associate Need to
include in grant applications Technical liaison with company
Directs students technical work Student Research Assistants Hire as
part-timers during school, full-timers during summer/Co-op Work
directly for professor for technical aspects May report to company,
but employed by College ARI handles timesheets, payment,
administration $12-20/hour, depending on skill level and project
needs
Slide 20
In-Class Projects (ICP) Marks Rule Integral part of course Best
way to get as many students and faculty involved The team:
Professor (coordinates as part of teaching load) Students (3+
preferred; work for marks) Client (industry/community group) Funder
(grants) ARI (logistics/support/guidance) Interdisciplinary
projects encouraged
Slide 21
21 Role of the STUDENT Take responsibility for the success of
the project Draw upon appropriate resources, in order to make
informed decisions The responsibility of any choices however lies
with the student. Develop budgets, timelines, scope etc. in
collaboration with professor and client Apply for funding Execute
project Report as appropriate
Slide 22
22 Role of the INDUSTRIAL PARTNER Define project with
assistance of faculty supervisor Contribute cash and in-kind
support Provide technical supervision, support and guidance for
duration of project Inform students of the broader issues such as
the factors supporting a business case analysis Help students
develop entrepreneurial/ intrapreneurial skills/mindset
Slide 23
23 Role of the PROFESSOR Work with students and clients to
create tentative budget Consult with students weekly Set clear
expectations for students Grade student Appoint student project
team leaders Set clear expectations for industrial partner
Slide 24
Competitions for ICP Have several groups working on same issue
Choose best and continue developing it Works well for certain
industrial projects Graphical User Interface design for telecom
company Can include as class project Can run as open competition
for whole college
Slide 25
Student-led (SAP or ICP) Student has own idea would like to
develop Can apply for funding Encouraged to find faculty
advisor/mentor Work closely with ARI to ensure solid work plan
Slide 26
Funding Sources Ontario Centres of Excellence Connections (ICP)
Experiential Learning Program (ICP/SAP) Natural Sciences and
Engineering Research Council Social Sciences and Humanities
Research Council Canadian Institutes of Health Research FedDev
Community Futures, Applied Research and Commercialization
Slide 27
Wow! Free Money! If it sounds too good to be true, it is too
good to be true Funding Organizations do not give away money
Funding Organizations invest money
Slide 28
Know and follow College policies around IP, Research Ethics,
Research Administration, Use of Animal, Biohazards, Purchasing, HR
Know and follow Funder funding criteria, expense guidelines,
reporting Metrics important so start early, measure often Risk
management is important Have Research Collaboration Agreements
Administrivia
Slide 29
Chide.it Incubated company for 9 months Developed web based
applications for Software Competition management In 4 years have
grown to Over $1M sales Over 20 employees
Slide 30
Chide.it Algonquin Provided faculty and students Access to
$225,000 in research funding
Slide 31
Hydro One Building on existing 4-college consortium Mohawk,
Georgian, Northern, Algonquin Curriculum development Equipment
Bursaries Added applied research to second contract
Slide 32
Hydro One Plugged-in Hybrid Electrical Vehicle Investigating
impact on rural grid Determine monitoring equipment, parameters
Have sourced additional funding from OCE Applying for more
Slide 33
David Thibodeau Professor, Mechanical Engineering Technology
ICP guru Office staff Tina, Ricc, John, Teri, Carmel, Alex, Kerry
Focus on Learning for invitation Acknowledgements