Applied Research – What is it Good

for?Focus on Learning, Part 2

Mark Hoddenbagh2012 June 05

St. Lawrence College

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

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

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?

Doing new things old ways.

Doing old things new ways.

Doing new things new ways.

What is Innovation?

In which areas/fields can Applied Research be done?

Any field!!

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

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?

1. Arts in Society2. Civic Life3. Social and Cultural Understanding4. Personal Understanding5. Science and Technology

General Education Themes

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 one’s own actions, decisions, and consequences.

11 Essential Employability Skills

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

What’s in it for faculty?

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?

Sample Projects

CHEO – symbology for prescription drugs JUNO Awards – economic impact B-Con Engineering – novel optical devices EdeyFX – vertical axis wind turbine TimekeeperPro – scoreboard

1st Place in OCE Discovery College Connections competition

Devera – IT policy management

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

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

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.

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 client’s needs whether business or technical

College Provides Faculty (through course of SWF release) Infrastructure – physical, financial, legal Some funding Applied Research office

Liaise with client Scope and execute project Write final report Get course credits Display at Applied Research

Day

Team Roles

Applied

Research

Office

STUDENT

CLIENTPROF

FUNDER 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 assessment

Standalone Projects (SAP) – Cash is King!

Faculty member Full-timer SWF buy-out/11th 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

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

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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

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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

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chide.it

Algonquin Provided faculty and students Access to $225,000 in research funding

Hydro One

Building on existing 4-college consortium Mohawk, Georgian, Northern, Algonquin

Curriculum development Equipment Bursaries

Added applied research to second contract

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

David Thibodeau Professor, Mechanical Engineering Technology ICP guru

Office staff Tina, Ricc, John, Teri, Carmel, Alex, Kerry

Focus on Learning for invitation

Acknowledgements

Questions?