Reflecting on last year’s objectives, I can see significant strides in many areas, while others remain ongoing projects. This year’s experience has provided valuable feedback and new directions, helping me refine my approach to continuously enhance the learning experience for students. Below is an overview of my progress and future plans.

Last Year’s Plan:

My initial goal was to develop a series of video recordings for lab sessions, focusing on key steps, lab safety, and technique demonstrations. These videos aimed to serve as preparatory materials for students, helping them familiarize themselves with equipment and procedures before attending lab sessions.

Progress:

This year, I successfully created and implemented a substantial portion of these videos, with each covering crucial elements like lab safety and specific experimental techniques. The feedback has been positive, particularly from the administration, which commended the initiative’s clarity and utility. They suggested expanding the project further, incorporating accessibility features such as enhanced audio clarity and captions, and compensating student contributors to make the videos even more engaging and inclusive.

Future Plans:

Building on the foundation laid this year, I plan to extend the video library by adding more specialized content, especially for courses where additional guidance would benefit students. The emphasis will be on enhancing accessibility, ensuring that students with diverse needs find these resources effective. This includes refining pronunciation, adding captions, and addressing any accessibility concerns to make the materials universally useful. Additionally, with administrative support, I’ll explore funding avenues to sustain and expand this project.

Last Year’s Plan:

The aim was to create detailed documentation for each lab and chapter, covering experiment procedures, safety guidelines, and expected outcomes. This would act as a comprehensive reference for students, enhancing their understanding of lab work.

Progress:

This area has seen limited progress due to the time-intensive nature of creating high-quality documentation for each lab. Although I began compiling essential materials, the development was slower than anticipated.

Future Plans:

I intend to prioritize this project by creating documentation templates that streamline the process for each experiment. The goal is to gradually cover all chapters, with a focus on enhancing accessibility and ease of understanding. Each document will include step-by-step instructions, visual aids, and clearly defined safety guidelines, ensuring students have all the resources they need at their fingertips.

Last Year’s Plan:

Last year, I recognized the need to distinguish lab quizzes from lecture quizzes, making them more lab-specific rather than duplicating lecture content.

Progress:

I have successfully updated the lab quizzes to align with specific lab activities, focusing on questions related to the techniques and observations of each session. This adjustment has created a clearer differentiation from lecture quizzes and has helped reinforce practical knowledge in a lab context.

Future Plans:

I plan to refine these quizzes further by adding situational questions that simulate real lab scenarios. This will provide students with a more applied understanding of lab protocols and safety procedures, making assessments more reflective of actual lab conditions.

Last Year’s Plan:

With the growing importance of online and web-enhanced courses, the objective was to improve the online course structure in Canvas, making digital learning more interactive and accessible.

Progress:

I implemented several enhancements this year to improve digital course accessibility, such as integrating video content for each lab, organizing Canvas modules with intuitive icons, and using Canvas’s AI-powered features to provide automated transcriptions and section headings. These updates have made the course content easier to navigate and more engaging for students, who have responded positively to the additional resources and organization.

Future Plans:

I aim to continue refining the online learning environment by incorporating more interactive elements, such as embedded quizzes within lab modules and real-time discussion features. Additionally, I plan to further personalize the Canvas experience by integrating video feedback for assignments and expanding visual aids for complex topics.

New Initiative:

Starting this year, I’ll be involved in committee work, which will be a new experience in terms of contributing to the institutional framework and supporting college-wide initiatives. This role will provide an opportunity to influence curriculum development, policy adjustments, and faculty collaborations.

Future Plans:

As I begin this journey, my immediate goal is to observe, learn, and understand the dynamics of committee responsibilities. I plan to actively contribute to discussions, especially in areas that align with my expertise in lab safety and technology integration. Over time, I aim to play a proactive role in policy development, particularly in promoting inclusive and accessible learning environments. This will not only help me grow professionally but also allow me to contribute meaningfully to Ventura College’s long-term goals.

These updates reflect my continued dedication to improving the learning environment through thoughtful enhancements and practical adjustments. Moving forward, I remain committed to refining these plans and implementing new strategies that support student engagement, safety, and accessibility, ensuring a holistic and adaptable learning experience at Ventura College.