FOL Admin Wins Educational Technology Award

Nominated first by her colleagues, Julie was then chosen from a select group of talented Ontario Colleges' employees. She received the award on Thursday, May 26, 2011, at the annual Educational Technology Conference in Sarnia, Ontario where she also presented a workshop on "Social Bookmarking in Education."

The Impact Award recognizes a faculty member, staff, or team within the Ontario college system whose leadership in the use of educational technology has had a significant impact on learners, other staff, a program and/or college.

Fanshawe's Scott Doerr (left) and Julie Whitehead (right), along with Lori Duquette of
Lambton College (centre) won awards at the Educational Technology Conference.
Photo by Fanshawe Photography Professor Dave Homer.

"I believe that Julie's impact is wide-reaching. Whether it is online-related, print-related, or the use of new technology in the clinician's field, Julie makes a point to follow up with each person. She actively looks for new ideas and advances in our field and passes them onto faculty," commented one of Julie's colleagues.

Another said, "Julie is a very compassionate person and cares about faculty on an individual basis. Never once in all the time that I have known Julie has she ever appeared frustrated with a professor, I have never heard her complain, she seems to have an infinite level of patience in assisting adult learners manage and manoeuvre the online world. Julie never loses sight of the teachable moment, however, can assess that there is a right time for everything."

"She is wonderful, inspirational teacher in the lives of so many adult learners, the faculty. She has impacted so many in extremely positive ways. She is a favoured member of the team and a treasured colleague!," remarked a third.

Julie is a champion of educational technology which she gently promotes on a daily basis to faculty members. Julie is a member of the FOL Administrator group which includes representatives from across the College. At the monthly meetings, Julie shares her ideas and best practices openly with team members and several of Julie's suggestions for improvement have been implemented across the College. Julie is active in promoting new products across the College and she is currently part of the ePortfolio pilot group. Julie is also part of the pilot group for the FOL-Datatel grade transfer which is developing a new automated grade transfer process. Julie's love for technology does not stop when she leaves work. She recently completed her Master's in Educational Technology from the University of British Columbia and for fun Julie will create 'databases' for a variety of amateur sports organizations that she is involved with. Julie also maintains an active Twitter account and blog called edutechfan, where she provides timely updates on the latest in technology.

Julie was not the only Fanshawe staff member recognized at the Educational Technology Conference. Scott Doerr was presented with the Innovative Teaching with Technology Award for his work producing learning videos to assist students with advanced software techniques.

Congratulations Julie and Scott!