Ocotillo has been and continues to be an evolving, learning process. Branches blossomed into new agendas and fostered continuing ones that were still important. Some branches died and others were revived after hibernation. And, over the years, Ocotillo has changed as people began to "paint outside the lines" of the Ocotillo picture.
Although technology has remained an integral element of Ocotillo, it no longer is the key component. Committees have begun to shift their focus and dialogues to the larger and broader agenda which drives the entire District--learning. So, as part of our maturity with Ocotillo, we have discovered that technology is only one of many tools we use to enhance education, and that to talk about the underlying premises of learning is more meaningful to everyone.
Ocotillo has been and continues to be the mechanism by which faculty and staff with a common interest can come together to explore issues of teaching and learning. It provides faculty with a forum for voicing their reflections and insights regarding the quality of learning and instruction across the District. It works!
I am grateful to all our faculty and staff who have participated in Ocotillo during 1993-94, particularly those who have served as chairs and co-chairs of the different Ocotillo committees. I thank Maria Hesse, Faculty Chair, and Maria Harper-Marinick, Project Manager, for their leadership and vision for Ocotillo this past year and as they facilitate and nurture ideas for the next Ocotillo.
I look forward to continuing a most productive dialogue on learning through Ocotillo next year.
Muchas gracias,
Alfredo G. de los Santos Jr.
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c 1994, Maricopa Center for Learning and Instruction (MCLI)
Maricopa County Community College District, Arizona