About the Instructional Media Center - IMC
The Instructional Media Center (IMC) team works with faculty to incorporate technology into their curriculum. IMC accomplishes this through technology training classes and course development.
IMC provides administrative and training support of the Learning Management System (LMS) which includes two certificates upon completion.
In 2010-2011, HCC will be implementing a new LMS, Joule (Moodle core), which will house Distance Education (DE), hybrid and web-enhanced courses.
IMC provides instructional design support for the development of hybrid, DE, and Blackboard Vista master courses. Please see IMC Services for more information about these programs and see HCC Master Courses on the DE Faculty & Staff web page.
The IMC team assists all HCC colleges and District with the creation of databases, PDF files, and multimedia projects or learning objects for classroom use. Projects are developed and/or edited upon the completion of an TLR Project Request Form.
IMC prepares faculty and staff to use HCC's online content management system, Vignette, and Microsoft SharePoint.
Upon request, IMC will research instructional technology topics related to software, hardware and technology environments.
New Media Consortium Member
In June, 2010 at the NMC Conference, HCC, IMC, the Curriculum Innovation Centers (CICs) received the Center of Excellence Award for their exemplary approaches to hybrid and online learning, faculty training, and instructional support.
In 1993, HCC won a national competition, based on work submitted from the IMC, to become one of the first 22 universities to organize the New Media Consortium (NMC). Today the NMC has a membership of 200 elite colleges, universities and museums. HCC has been invited to present sessions at many National NMC conferences. The Certification in Technology was highlighted at the 2006 New Media Consortium National Conference.
National Council for Staff, Program and Organizational Development Member
In 2005, HCC was the recipient of the Institutional Merit Award for its excellence in the delivery and impact of staff (and faculty) training and organizational development programs. See http://www.ncspod.org/awards/awards05.php
IMC, System, and College Relationships
Educational Technology Council
The Instructional Design Coordinators (IDC), the Directors of Instructional Technology (DIT), the IMC Director and the AVP Instructional Resources and Technology meet weekly, on Wednesday afternoons, to communicate and initiate common technology-related activities. Some responsibilities of this committee include: reviewing Certification in Technology portfolios, evaluating RFP's for Master Course development, evaluating instructional technology software, hardware and other products, organizing boot camp sessions and technology conferences, planning the instructional technology training calendar, and other special projects as assigned by the Chancellor, Vice Chancellors or College Presidents. This CIC/IMC committee is the heart of HCC instructional technology programs.
IMC and HCC instructional technology leaders
The IMC, IDCs, and the DITs share many goals and work collaboratively to provide Instructional Technology leadership for the entire college.The IMC coordinates its faculty and staff training program/schedule with the college's IDCs or DITs who are responsible for the Curriculum Innovation Centers and the technology planning/ staffing at their college. Much of the technology training that IMC provides takes place in the college CIC's. In addition, the CIC's provide faculty mentors and specialized training classes. These classes are advertised locally.
IMC and Distance Education
In the 2003, the Instructional Computing Resource Center (ICRC) changed its name to the Instructional Media Center (IMC), to more clearly define its dual support to the colleges and the system. At the same time, an administrative restructuring occurred. Distance Education (DE), previously a 'hub' program at Southeast College, moved to the System and it merged with IMC under the umbrella: Instructional Resources and Technology (IRT). The Director of IMC reports to the AVC of IRT, however the departments remain autonomous. IMC works closely with the DE department in the development of DE faculty training and course development.
IRT Advisory Committee
After the restructuring of IMC and DE, The DE advisory committee and the Instructional Computing Advisory committee were merged. The IRT Advisory Committee is comprised of faculty representatives from all colleges and the library. This committee serves as sounding board for DE and IMC issues as well as a knowledge neighborhood for all instructional technology issues.
IMC and Employee Learning and Organizational Development (ELOD)
IMC and ELOD have two distinct missions, but one common goal is faculty/staff training. The IMC and ELOD Directors both serve on the Training Council. The generic purpose of the Council is for communication, collaboration and sharing of resources.
In 2004, IMC, ELOD and the ACT Center combined their resources to provide HCCS' first online technology training program called Ultra Online. This package of online courses was designed to meet the training needs for HCCS employees who have not been able to attend technology training courses due to their schedules, and for others who have asked for more advanced courses. See http://imc06.hccs.edu/ultraonline/default.htm
IMC and Information Technology (IT)
From 1992 to 2002, IMC (formerly IC and ICRC) was a department in the IT Division. In 2002, IMC was moved under the Vice Chancellor, Education Development. The IMC Director and several IMC staff continue to serve on IT committees.
