Flexible Learning and Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) are reshaping not only higher education but also professional development. Many of us work hard everyday to provide superior flexible learning experience to UBC students. As staff members, we should also deem flexible learning and MOOC as viable professional development opportunities for ourselves.

I propose to set up on campus MOOC study groups to coordinate learners across campus so that we can learn together. Why? Much research has indicated that group-based study can improve learning experiences. I strongly believe that UBC should invest resources to support such MOOC study groups as a pilot for staff professional development. It is cost effective to UBC!

Some interesting MOOC courses

1. Data Science Specification from Coursera
2. Nanodegree from Udacity

Size of Job Families (Source: 2012/13 AAPS Annual Report)

Knowledge Sharing is an activity through which knowledge (i.e., information, skills, or expertise) is exchanged among people, friends, families, communities (e.g., Wikipedia), or organizations. (source: WikiPedia)

Why knowledge sharing among AAPS members?

AAPS has more than 3,700 members from more than 40 job categories. Many AAPS members are experts in their areas. Compared with professional development from external resources, knowledge sharing among AAPS is therefore critical because:

1. Cost-effective: Many AAPS members are happy to provide training or workshop to fellow AAPS members for free! In the fiscal year 2012/13, AAPS spent $114,198 in professional development. By taking advantage of AAPS members’ own expertise, we can have more professional development opportunities without spending more.
2. Benefits to experts: To teach is to learn twice! (Joseph Joubert) Experts will not only reinforce their knowledge and skills, but also enhance their presentation skills
   
3. Benefits to audience: Audience will be able to get best practice, first-hand experience, and most recent updates from a diversity of industries.
4. It’s UBC’s commitment! UBC Strategic Plan promised Outstanding Work Environment and I believe no work environment can be outstanding without appropriate knowledge sharing.

Knowledge sharing examples:

1. Inter-group: Information Systems & Technology and Statistical Analysis (why? IT + Statistics = Big Data Mining, plausibly
   the hottest area in today’s job market).
2. Intra-group: Programmer Analyst and Business Analyst (or Project Manager, etc; see UBC IT’s Career Framework)

Any suggestion on knowledge sharing? Please let me know.