Applied Research – What is it Good for? - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Applied Research – What is it Good for?

Focus on Learning,

Part 2

Mark Hoddenbagh

2012 June 05

St. Lawrence CollegeSlide2

Through active participation in the Focus on Learning Program, participants will have demonstrated their ability

to f

acilitate 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 Slide3

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 OutcomesSlide4

Activities that focus on the development and implementation/commercialization of products, processes and services that lead to stronger organizationsFor profit - jobs, new markets, economic growth

NFP – improved efficiencies, effectiveness

Government – higher productivity, better serviceWhat is Applied Research?Slide5

Doing new things old ways.Doing old things new ways.

Doing new things new ways.

What is Innovation?Slide6

In which areas/fields can Applied Research be done?

Any field!!Slide7

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, serviceSlide8

One of the highest forms of Experiential LearningStudents get a real-life experience prior to graduation

Projects mimic

the workplaceProvides a skill set that is valued by employersDevelop interdisciplinary understandingHelps develop vocational skillsProvides perspective on General Education ThemesAddresses the 11 Essential Employability SkillsWhat does Applied Research have to do with a College education?Slide9

1. Arts in Society2. Civic Life

3. Social and Cultural Understanding

4. Personal Understanding5. Science and TechnologyGeneral Education ThemesSlide10

1. C

ommunicate

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 one’s own actions, decisions, and consequences.

11 Essential Employability SkillsSlide11

Professional developmentKeep up with advances in field of teachingStrengthen ties to external community

Broaden internal horizons

Interdisciplinary projectsAccess to funding for:ProjectsTravel to conferencesWhat’s in it for faculty?Slide12

Access to students, faculty expertise, leveraged fundingOption for College to become pilot test site

Product, process, service closer to implementation or commercialization

Introduction to other clients/potential customersAssistance in international marketAccess to Highly Qualified and Skilled Personnel4-8 month job interviewsBenefits for Clients?Slide13

Sample Projects

CHEO –

symbology for prescription drugsJUNO Awards – economic impactB-Con Engineering – novel optical devicesEdeyFX – vertical axis wind turbineTimekeeperPro – scoreboard1st Place in OCE Discovery College Connections competitionDevera – IT policy managementSlide14

Applied Research Process

Problem solving approach

Can be used in all areas of life, not just formal researchFocus on problem or opportunityClearly define problem/opportunity and desired outcomeWrite problem/opportunity statementNeed SMART statementSpecificMeasurableAttainableRelevantTimelySlide15

Applied Research Process

List potential outcomes

May not also get what desire/expect so planning ahead will enable you to be prepared for thisList contingencies/actions to be taken with each outcomeWill enable you to react more quickly to changesSet work planExecute projectClose the loopAssess outcome versus initial statementReportingDetermine path forwardSlide16

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 10’D x 30’W, and chain link fence on the north, east and south sides. There is a small deck (10’x10’) attached to the house and a patio that is 10’Dx20’W off of the deck. My disposable income after taxes and expenses is about $800/month.Slide17

Incorporating Applied Research into Education

Fundamental Guidelines

Have professor involvedHave students involved (typically)Have Applied Research office involvedEncourage working with industrial partner from beginningMeet all client’s needs whether business or technicalCollege ProvidesFaculty (through course of SWF release)Infrastructure – physical, financial, legal

Some funding

Applied Research officeSlide18

Liaise with client

Scope and execute project

Write final reportGet course credits

Display at Applied Research Day

Team Roles

Bring research idea/ problem to be solved

Provide

guidance to

students

Provide resources

Provide funds

Introduce us to SME partners

Independent analysis of clients

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 assessmentSlide19

Standalone Projects (SAP) – Cash is King!

Faculty member

Full-timer SWF buy-out/11th monthDepends on funding level and time commitmentsPart-timer paid as Research AssociateNeed to include in grant applicationsTechnical liaison with companyDirects students technical workStudent 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 needsSlide20

In-Class Projects (ICP) – Marks Rule

Integral part of course

Best way to get as many students and faculty involvedThe 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 encouragedSlide21

21

Role of the STUDENT

Take responsibility for the success of the projectDraw upon appropriate resources, in order to make informed decisionsThe responsibility of any choices however lies with the student.Develop budgets, timelines, scope etc. in collaboration with professor and clientApply for fundingExecute project

Report as appropriateSlide22

22

Role of the INDUSTRIAL PARTNER

Define project with assistance of faculty supervisorContribute cash and in-kind supportProvide technical supervision, support and guidance for duration of projectInform students of the broader issues such as the factors supporting a business case analysisHelp students develop entrepreneurial/

intrapreneurial

skills/mindsetSlide23

23

Role of the PROFESSOR

Work with students and clients to create tentative budgetConsult with students weeklySet clear expectations for studentsGrade studentAppoint student project team leadersSet clear expectations for industrial partnerSlide24

Competitions for ICP

Have several groups working on same issue

Choose best and continue developing itWorks well for certain industrial projectsGraphical User Interface design for telecom companyCan include as class projectCan run as open competition for whole collegeSlide25

Student-led (SAP or ICP)

Student has own idea would like to develop

Can apply for fundingEncouraged to find faculty advisor/mentorWork closely with ARI to ensure solid work planSlide26

Funding Sources

Ontario

Centres of ExcellenceConnections (ICP)Experiential Learning Program (ICP/SAP)Natural Sciences and Engineering Research CouncilSocial Sciences and Humanities Research CouncilCanadian Institutes of Health ResearchFedDev – Community Futures, Applied Research and CommercializationSlide27

Wow! Free Money!

If it sounds too good to be true, it is too good to be true

Funding Organizations do not give away moneyFunding Organizations invest moneySlide28

Know and follow College policies around IP, Research Ethics, Research Administration, Use of Animal, Biohazards, Purchasing, HRKnow and follow Funder funding criteria, expense guidelines, reporting

Metrics important so start early, measure often

Risk management is importantHave Research Collaboration AgreementsAdministriviaSlide29

Chide.it

Incubated company for 9 months

Developed web based applications forSoftwareCompetition managementIn 4 years have grown toOver $1M salesOver 20 employeesSlide30

Chide.it

Algonquin

Provided faculty and studentsAccess to $225,000 in research fundingSlide31

Hydro One

Building on existing 4-college consortium

Mohawk, Georgian, Northern, AlgonquinCurriculum developmentEquipmentBursariesAdded applied research to second contractSlide32

Hydro One

Plugged-in Hybrid Electrical Vehicle

Investigating impact on rural gridDetermine monitoring equipment, parametersHave sourced additional funding from OCEApplying for moreSlide33

David ThibodeauProfessor, Mechanical Engineering TechnologyICP guru

Office staff

Tina, Ricc, John, Teri, Carmel, Alex, KerryFocus on Learning for invitationAcknowledgementsSlide34

Questions?