Community Learning Instructor Blog Celebrates One Year Anniversary, Receives International Award

The department blog, developed by Tom McDannold and Paul Stennett, has been on the Internet for one year. With the participation of department instructors and staff, it has received international recognition as summarized in the following media release.



Central Oregon Community College Community Learning has been honored for excellence in the Management Practice category by the Learning Resources Network (LERN), an international association in lifelong learning. The winning entry was included in a showcase of internationally exemplary programs at the LERN Annual Convention in San Francisco, California on November 16 to 18, 2008. The winning entry was submitted by Beth Wickham. Information about the submission was on display in the conference Hall of Learning throughout the three-day conference. In addition, the winning programs will be featured in future LERN publications and on LERN’s website.

Judges indicated that there was a very high level of excellence in this year’s field of nominees. Julie Coates, Vice President of Information Services for LERN, said that this year’s award nominees were among the highest quality ever submitted. Ms. Coates also noted that there were more winners selected this year than in any previous year, due to the excellence in quality of the nominations.

In selecting programs to be recognized for excellence, Coates said the primary criteria judges used for those selected was the quality of being at the leading edge of the field of lifelong learning, as evidenced by their nomination. In addition, judges also applied the following criteria: originality, innovation, appropriateness as a model for other programs, replicability, and measurable outcomes. The awards selection process is very competitive, Coates, said, and it is truly an honor to be selected. Central Oregon Community College Community Learning entry was selected from more than 140 nominations from four countries.

A special thanks is extended to all those who read the blog during its first year (well over 3000), offered comments, provided posts, and particularly Beth Wickham who made the nomination for the award.

We encourage our readers to send us comments, ideas for articles, and even complete submissions. Please click on Comments and share your thinking.