User:Randyfisher/Bio

From WikiEducator
Jump to: navigation, search




Bios for Randy Fisher (aka WikiRandy)

(Comment.gif: A bio is your 'story' - aligned to the interests and qualifications desired by the 'other')

Randy is the Managing Director of iCentro, in Ottawa, Canada.

  • Author, Free E-Book Insider's Guide to Accelerate Online Engagement: 10 Top Secrets to Achieve Great Results
  • Extensive experience in facilitating stakeholder and community engagement, organization development, mentoring and capacity-building, change management and business process analysis for better performance.
  • Expertise in Web 2.0 social collaboration, online e-learning, and building high-performing and participative blended communities and networks (online / on-site / ongoing)
  • Ensuring stakeholders strategically and culturally-aligned and "buy-in" to the mission and values; build trust and cooperative behaviours; and share a strong identity with, and ownership of the goals, objectives and results.
  • Special projects
  • Evaluation - 1-1 interviews, survey research, focus groups, roundtables, analysis and synthesis
  • influenced by: Appreciative Inquiry, Action Research, Gladwell's Tipping Points; (Complexity Theory, Adaptive Systems and Self-Organization
  • Mr. Fisher holds an MA in Organization Management and Development (specializing in complex, large-scale system change), Fielding Graduate University, California
  • Post-graduate degree in Journalism (King's) and a BA in Political Science (McGill). He is a Certified Advanced Technology Manager (Newbridge Networks/CATA Alliance), and also holds certifications in the Birkman Method, Myers-Briggs, Strong Interest Inventory
  • Diploma in Instructional Design and Train-the-Trainer certification.

(Comment.gif: For details, see: http://wikieducator.org/User:Randyfisher)

Special Projects (Change / Transition Management)

Mr. Fisher has extensive experience in stakeholder and community engagement, facilitation, organization development, change management, research/evaluation, e-learning and performance improvement. He has considerable strengths in behind-the-scenes facilitation, mentoring, coaching, instructional design and Web 2.0 social collaboration to engage stakeholders; prepare them for online teaching, learning and leadership; and build capacity. He has authored a free e-book: Insider's Guide to Accelerate Online Engagement: 10 Top Secrets to Achieve Great Results

He has a thorough understanding of adult learning and constructivist instructional design principles (BC Provincial Instructor Diploma). He is a skilled facilitator, and has used change management expertise to identify resistance to change and engage and mentor stakeholders to build their online / distance education skills, and improve learning outcomes and performance. He is collaborating with a Ph.D. researcher at Leeds University, UK (Gurmit Singh), to develop an online learning model for healthcare professionals to improve patient care and practice.

As "WikiRandy", he was instrumental in building the highly-regarded WikiEducator.org project - think Wikipedia for Educators - which has grown to 18,000 users in 120 countries due to strategic use of Gladwell's Tipping Points, E-Learning resources and peer-based skills certification. (Interestingly, in becoming a top 100K website, this project has not spent any funds on advertising, promotion or search engine optimization). He has also facilitated, mentored and mobilized opinion leaders and partners to create spinoff communities including organizational and programming development for Community Media / Community Radio and public health communities (Media for Learning).

He was recently part of a team conducting an operational review (value-for-money) of the distance education functions of the Ontario Primary Healthcare Nurse Practitioner program (PHCNP)) in 9 universities (Council of Ontario Universities Programs in Nursing). At the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), he coordinated a consortium of 10 universities in 10 countries to deliver the Commonwealth Executive MBA / MPA programs, and five (5) education specialists in community media and public health, governance, higher education, e-learning and ICT policy, and international organizations to facilitate learning and development, and the sharing of knowledge and best practices. He has conducted needs assessments / gap analysis, market research and action research for learning projects: interviewed stakeholders; gathered and documented requirements to improve business processes and workflow. (OneChange, OERAfrica). He has also conducted formative evaluations of training / e-learning modules, curricula and communities-of-practice in education and public health; designed, implemented and evaluated performance interventions to increase participation.

Past assignments include: market research and evaluation of a communications strategy for environmental / green building software recognized by the US Environmental Protection Agency (Athena Sustainable Materials Institute); business plan development (Real Property Institute of Canada); survey research and analysis to develop the 1st database for Canada's Top 100 Forest Technology firms (Forintek); needs assessment, gap analysis and strategic planning for a new virtual learning institute (New Brunswick Community College); survey research and analysis (SPSS) to assess the market for training needs for Ontario's telecom equipment manufacturers (TRIO/OCRI); market research, surveys, focus groups and 1-1 interviews to evaluate the economic development value proposition for attracting IT /knowledge-based firms to a decommissioned Canadian Forces Base in a remote community (SkyPark Miramichi); evaluating a software development project (lessons learned) in a joint-venture project (Canadian Banknote, Wann Connection Devices).

A former business journalist (The Globe and Mail, Financial Post), he applies his critical thinking, analytical and synthesizing skills to marketing, research / evaluation, market segmentation, communications, media relations, promotions and strategic partnering. He is well-versed with Web 2.0 social media and learning technologies to strengthen Customer, Partner, Alumni and Community engagement, reduce costs and increase access to markets in North America and internationally.

Mr. Fisher holds an MA in Organization Management and Development (specializing in complex, large-scale system change), Fielding Graduate University, California; post-graduate degree in journalism (University of King's College, Halifax); a bachelor's degree in Political Science (McGill); and a Train-the-Trainer certification and a diploma in Instructional Design. He is learning Tai Chi, and is currently enrolled in a Yoga Teacher Training Program (200 hours). He is excited to be working on a grassroots community education project (stealth mode).


(Comment.gif: For details, see: http://wikieducator.org/User:Randyfisher)

IT/DB-ish Bio for Nonprofit

Mr. Fisher has extensive experience in stakeholder and community engagement, facilitation, organization development, change management, research, evaluation, e-learning and performance improvement. He has considerable strengths in facilitation, coaching, organizational and instructional design and IT/social collaboration support to engage, reassure and train diverse stakeholders; understand their frame of reference (language, culture and areas of resistance); build capacity and consensus, including 'buy-in', price and a sense of ownership. He has authored a free e-book: Insider's Guide to Accelerate Online Engagement: 10 Top Secrets to Achieve Great Results

He is well-versed with the challenges of aligning / matching employer job descriptions with candidates and, searching resumes (i.e., New Canadians, new residents; individuals returning to, or integrating into the workforce), in a timely, efficient and culturally-sensitive manner. As a JobMatch program coordinator, Jewish Family Service Agency (also serving as Employment Counselor), he performed a gap analysis of a paper-based system (job binder) and an Internet / web-based solution. He analyzed risks, documented business and IT requirements and trained internal staff to develop a secure, user-friendly and cost-effective solution to improve productivity and communications.

He is currently part of a team conducting an operational review (value-for-money) of the distance education functions of the Ontario Primary Healthcare Nurse Practitioner program (PHCNP)) in 9 universities (Council of Ontario Universities Programs in Nursing). For a Health Canada Working Group, he helped design an IT / social collaboration solution with tutorials and 24/7 technical support, for qualitative input from 35 stakeholders across Canada.

At the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), he coordinated a consortium of 10 universities in 10 countries to deliver the Commonwealth Executive MBA / MPA programs, and five (5) education specialists in community media and public health, governance, higher education, e-learning and ICT policy, and international organizations to facilitate learning and development, and the sharing of knowledge and best practices. He has conducted needs assessments / gap analysis, market research and action research for learning projects: interviewed stakeholders; gathered and documented requirements to improve business processes and workflow. (OneChange, OERAfrica).

He has also conducted formative evaluations of training modules, curricula and communities-of-practice in education and public health; designed, implemented and evaluated performance interventions to increase participation and interaction in online and hybrid / blended courses and communities-of-practice. Using Participatory Action Research, he conducted a community-building needs analysis of a small online community - his recommendations helped mobilize opinion leaders and partners for WkiEducator.org to grow to 18,000 users in 120 countries (a top 100K website).

Mr. Fisher is a former business journalist (The Globe and Mail, Financial Post, CBC Radio), he applies his critical thinking, analytical and synthesizing skills to marketing, research / evaluation, market segmentation, communications, media relations, promotions and strategic partnering. Selected assignments include: survey research and analysis to develop the 1st database for Canada's Top 100 Forest Technology firms (Forintek); needs assessment, gap analysis and strategic planning for a new virtual learning institute (New Brunswick Community College); and survey research and analysis (SPSS) to assess the market for training needs for Ontario's telecom equipment manufacturers (OCRI).

Mr. Fisher holds an MA in Organization Management and Development (specializing in complex, large-scale system change), Fielding Graduate University, California; post-graduate degree in journalism (University of King's College, Halifax); a bachelor's degree in Political Science (McGill); and a Train-the-Trainer certification and a diploma in Instructional Design.


(Comment.gif: For details, see: http://wikieducator.org/User:Randyfisher)

Stakeholder Research, Public Engagement and Learning - Translating Evidence-Based Research into Strategy

Randy Fisher, MA, Managing Director, iCentro - specializes in translating evidence-based research into strategy and facilitating stakeholder engagement, buy-in and ownership and performance improvement. At ICTC, he works with managers to engage teachers, young professionals, partners, educational administrators and volunteer champions in digital literacy and ICT programs (including MOOCs). At the Commonwealth of Learning, he supported education specialists in higher education, community media and public health, governance, e-learning/ICTs and international organizations to facilitate learning and development; learning resources and the sharing of knowledge and best practices. His community-building needs analysis, recommendations and implementation strategy mobilized opinion leaders, ambassadors, champions and partners for WkiEducator.org to grow to 18,000 educators in 120 countries (a top 100K website) He is trained as a journalist and has worked for the Financial Post, Globe and Mail and CBC Radio. He also has experience marketing, market segmentation and communications, and in conducting stakeholder research including designing research methodology for quantitative and qualitative research, needs assessments / gap analysis, surveys, focus groups and 1-1 interviews. Past assignments: developing a national communications and media relations strategy (meeting with editorial boards across Canada) for an environmentally-sustainable green building lifecycle software; stakeholder research and strategic planning for a learning institute; public consultations for assessing readiness for economic development opportunities and ICT partners for a recently-closed Canadian military base in a remote community. Mr. Fisher has an MA in Organization Management and Development (Fielding); a graduate degree in journalism (University of King's College); a BA in Political Science (McGill); and professional training in Adult Education. He is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (Ottawa chapter).

(Comment.gif: For details, see: http://wikieducator.org/User:Randyfisher)

Evaluation - Needs Assessment / Gap Analysis, Change Management & Capacity-Building (PHCNP)

Mr. Fisher has extensive experience in facilitating stakeholder and community engagement, organization development, change management, distance / online learning and performance improvement. He has worked with leading education organizations, networks and consortia in Canada, USA, South Africa and New Zealand to evaluate strategic alignment and capacity-building; and training and e-learning structures, processes, programs, courses and modules. He has authored a free e-book: Insider's Guide to Accelerate Online Engagement: 10 Top Secrets to Achieve Great Results

Recently, he was part of a team conducting an operational review of the distance education functions of the Ontario Primary Healthcare Nurse Practitioner program (PHCNP)) in 9 universities (Council of Ontario Universities Programs in Nursing). At the Commonwealth of Learning, he supported six (6) education specialists in higher education, community media and public health, governance, e-learning and international organizations to facilitate learning and development, and the sharing of knowledge and best practices.

He has conducted needs assessments / gap analysis, market research and action research for open and distance learning projects: interviewed students, professors, administrators and external partners; gathered and documented requirements to improve business processes, worklows and websites. (OneChange, OER Africa). He has also conducted formative evaluations of training modules, curricula and communities-of-practice in education and public health; designed, implemented and evaluated performance interventions to increase participation and interaction in online and hybrid / blended courses and communities. Using Participatory Action Research, he conducted a community-building needs analysis of a small online community - his recommendations helped mobilize opinion leaders and partners for WkiEducator.org to grow to 18,000 users in 120 countries (a top 100K website). This experience led to his Master's in Organization Development thesis, and the development of a model for (Collaborative Engagement).

He is professionally trained as a journalist, and has experience in marketing, market research, communications, outreach and Web 2.0 social collaboration. Past assignments include: market research and evaluation of a communications strategy for environmental / green building software (Athena), recognized by the US Environmental Protection Agency; survey research and analysis to develop the 1st database for Canada's Top 100 Forest Technology firms (Forintek); needs assessment, gap analysis and strategic planning for a new virtual learning institute (New Brunswick Community College); survey research and analysis (SPSS) to assess the market for training needs for Ontario's telecom equipment manufacturers (TRIO/OCRI); market research, surveys, focus groups and 1-1 interviews to evaluate the economic development value proposition for attracting IT /knowledge-based firms to a recently-decommissioned Canadian Forces Base in a remote community (SkyPark Miramichi); evaluating a software development project (lessons learned) in a joint-venture project (Canadian Banknote, Wann Connection Devices).

Mr. Fisher holds an MA in Organization Management and Development (specializing in complex, large-scale system change), Fielding Graduate University, California; post-graduate degree in journalism (University of King's College, Halifax); a bachelor's degree in Political Science (McGill); and a Train-the-Trainer certification and a diploma in Instructional Design.

(Comment.gif: For details, see: http://wikieducator.org/User:Randyfisher)

Notes

  • Provide - CV/Resume; Cover Letter; copies of degrees, diplomas, certificates or training
  • Portfolio - Examples of skills and knowledge by providing links to screencasted videos, web pages, or clear descriptions of competencies with educational technologies
  • See List of Learning Specialists

Project Management, Cross-Cultural Relations, Diversity (IEN)

Mr. Fisher has extensive experience in stakeholder and community engagement, organization development, project management, strategic partnering, and facilitating change / transition and performance improvement. He has authored a free e-book: Insider's Guide to Accelerate Online Engagement: 10 Top Secrets to Achieve Great Results

He has mentored and coached immigrants in their career readiness and adaptation to Canadian society; worked with employers to value diversity and the individual / family stress associated with a new job, new life and a new culture. He has designed and facilitated a workshop series to help new immigrants and new Canadians successfully navigate culture shock and Canadian Workplace Culture. Mr. Fisher has worked with academic consortia and leading academic organizations in Canada, USA, South Africa and New Zealand to build organizational and community capacity, streamline business processes and develop scalable and sustainable training / e-learning design and delivery models. (This includes the WikiEducator.org community of 18,000 educators in 120 countries).

Examples include case management, immigrant counselling and job matching (as an employment counsellor and job match program coordinator) with Family Service Agency; the Community College Consortium for Open Education Resources (now merged with the MIT OpenCourseWare Consortium); the Commonwealth of Learning's Executive MBA / MPA Consortium; and LearnShare HIV /AIDS Community of Practice for Public Health Professionals; and the International Centre for Open Education (WikiEducator). At the Commonwealth of Learning, he supported six education specialists in higher education, community media and public health, governance, e-learning and international organizations to facilitate learning and development, and the sharing of diverse interdisciplinary knowledge and best practices.

Mr. Fisher is professionally trained as a journalist and has experience in marketing, market research, communications, outreach and Web 2.0 social collaboration. He has developed business plans; conducted needs assessments / gap analyses and action research for learning projects: conducted surveys, interviews and focus groups to collect data; gathered and documented requirements to optimize business processes and workloads. He has also designed, implemented and evaluated performance interventions aligned to the organization's mission and resources to increase workshop / conference participation and involvement; and ongoing contributions in online, face-to-face and blended formats.

Mr. Fisher holds an MA in Organization Management and Development (specializing in complex, large-scale system change), Fielding Graduate University, California; a post-graduate degree in journalism (University of King's College, Halifax); a BA in Political Science (McGill); a Train-the-Trainer certification and a diploma in Instructional Design.

(Comment.gif: For details, see: http://wikieducator.org/User:Randyfisher)

Training, Knowledge Mobilization and Advocacy (OLA-YATI)

Mr. Fisher has extensive experience in stakeholder and community engagement, mentoring, organization development and capacity-building, change management, project management, facilitation and performance. Mr. Fisher has considerable expertise in Web 2.0 social collaboration and building high-performing blended communities (online / on-site / ongoing) where the participants are strategically and culturally-aligned and "buy-in" to the mission and values; build trust and cooperative behaviours; and share a strong identity with, and ownership of the goals, objectives and results. He has authored a free e-book: Insider's Guide to Accelerate Online Engagement: 10 Top Secrets to Achieve Great Results

He has worked with education leaders, community media professionals and grassroots leaders to support youth and adults in developing the knowledge and skills necessary to self-organize and mobilize supporters to promote health and advocate for change in their communities. Examples include: facilitation support for a lessons-learned workshop for public health practitioners in response to the H1N1 Pandemic (Health Canada First Nations and Inuit Health Branch); supporting the design of effective learning programs for at-risk youth/pregnant teens for the Community Radio Shipping Container Project (Jamaica); and culturally-appropriate interventions such as Wheelbarrow Radios in Public Markets (Kenya); and the LearnShare HIV /AIDS Community of Practice for Public Health Professionals in Africa. At the Commonwealth of Learning, he supported six (6) education specialists in higher education, community media and public health, governance, e-learning and international organizations to facilitate learning and development, and the sharing of knowledge and best practices in learning and participatory communication and decision-making.

As "WikiRandy", and a leader in Open Education Resources (OERs), he helped design, build, facilitate and strategize the development of an 18,000-strong user community in 120 countries, including evaluating performance interventions to diagnose and reduce resistance to change; identify priority areas and appropriate launch sequencing; and increase participation and interaction in online and hybrid courses, communities and spin-off initiatives. He has conducted needs assessments / gap analysis and action research for community mobilization, public health and education projects: interviewed stakeholders, partners and influencers; conducted literature searches; gathered and documented requirements to optimize business processes and workflows. He has also worked professionally as a journalist (The Globe and Mail, The Financial Post and CBC Radio), and has experience in marketing, market research, communications, outreach and advocacy.

Mr. Fisher holds an MA in Organization Management and Development (specializing in complex, large-scale system change), Fielding Graduate University, California; post-graduate degree in journalism (University of King's College, Halifax); a bachelor's degree in Political Science (McGill); and a Train-the-Trainer certification and a diploma in Instructional Design.

(Comment.gif: For details, see: http://wikieducator.org/User:Randyfisher)

Alumni Relations, Fundraising & Career Development

Mr. Fisher has extensive experience in stakeholder and community engagement; change management and facilitation; marketing, e-marketing, market segmentation, survey research and communications; promotions and sales support; and project management. He has authored a free e-book: Insider's Guide to Accelerate Online Engagement: 10 Top Secrets to Achieve Great Results

Mr. Fisher has worked with program leaders and academic organizations and consortia in Canada, USA, South Africa and New Zealand to build organizational and community capacity, assess cultural readiness, streamline business processes and develop scalable and sustainable training / e-learning design and delivery models. (This includes the WikiEducator.org - a top 100K website and community of 18,000 educators in 120 countries). (Interestingly, in becoming a top 100K website, this project has not spent any funds on advertising, promotion or search engine optimization). He has considerable expertise with Web 2.0 social media, website content management and online learning to strengthen Customer, Partner and Community engagement, reduce costs and increase market share.

He has developed Ambassador, mentoring and coaching programs to attract, mobilize and retain stakeholders. He launched a unique program to raise funds for 20+ charities by auctioning quality time with executives, and promoting "Executives on Auction" via print, radio, TV and trade associations. He has also worked with students and immigrants in their career readiness and adaptation; worked with employers to value diversity and the individual / family stress associated with a new job, new life and a new culture. He has also designed and facilitated workshops and networking events focused on culture shock and navigating Workplace Culture. Positions include case management as an employment counsellor and job match program coordinator) with Family Service Agency; the Community College Consortium for Open Education Resources (now merged with the MITs OpenCourseWare Consortium); and the Commonwealth of Learning's Executive MBA / MPA Consortium in 10 countries. At the Commonwealth of Learning, he supported six education specialists in higher education, community media and public health, governance, e-learning and international organizations to facilitate learning and development, and the sharing of diverse knowledge and best practices.

He has developed and implemented print and online marketing and communications plans and programs to competitively differentiate, grow and expand key products and services. He has conducted needs assessments, survey research, in-depth interviews and focus groups to identify, analyze and capitalize on Customer behaviour, social media trends and emergent market opportunities. He is professionally-trained as a journalist, and has worked for The Globe and Mail Report on Business, The Financial Post and CBC Radio.

Mr. Fisher holds an MA in Organization Management and Development (specializing in complex, large-scale system change), Fielding Graduate University, California; a post-graduate degree in journalism (University of King's College, Halifax); a bachelor's degree in Political Science (McGill); and a Train-the-Trainer certification and a diploma in Instructional Design.

(Comment.gif: For details, see: http://wikieducator.org/User:Randyfisher)

Marketing, Promotions & Sales Support

Mr. Fisher has extensive experience in marketing, market segmentation, survey research and communications; promotions and sales support; facilitating change and stakeholder engagement, 'buy-in' and user adoption; and project management. He has considerable expertise with Web 2.0 social media, website content management and online learning to strengthen Customer, Partner and Community engagement, reduce costs and increase market share.

He has authored a free e-book: Insider's Guide to Accelerate Online Engagement: 10 Top Secrets to Achieve Great Results

He has developed and executed print and online marketing and communications plans and programs to competitively differentiate, grow and expand company products and services. He has developed print and online advertising and promotional campaigns; supported channel development; conducted needs assessments, survey research, in-depth interviews and focus groups to identify, analyze and capitalize on Customer behaviour, social media trends and emergent market opportunities.

He has achieved great success in strengthening partnerships and growing online communities, by applying Gladwell's Tipping Points and Chaos/Complexity Theory to support, facilitate and accelerate stakeholder engagement and leadership for greater 'buy-in', pride and ownership Collaborative Engagement. He has trained, supported and mobilized opinion leaders, suppliers and partners to be an extended sales force (ambassadors); and helped design and build WikiEducator.org - a top 100K website, and community of 18,000 educators in 120 countries (Commonwealth of Learning / OER Foundation).

He has worked professionally as a journalist (The Globe and Mail Report on Business, The Financial Post and CBC Radio. His work includes: advertising, promotion, communication and e-marketing to generate profile, visibility and attendance for a post-Japan tsunami commercial opportunities (CaGBC / Department of Foreign Affairs & International Trade); market research, pricing and communications strategy for environmental / green building software (Athena), recognized by the US Environmental Protection Agency; survey research and analysis to develop the 1st database for Canada's Top 100 Forest Technology firms (Forintek); needs assessment, gap analysis and strategic action planning for a new virtual learning institute (New Brunswick Community College); survey research and analysis to assess the market for training needs for Ontario's telecom equipment manufacturers (TRIO/OCRI); market research, surveys and focus groups to develop the economic development value proposition for recruiting IT /knowledge-based firms to a recently-decommissioned Canadian Forces Base in a remote community (SkyPark Miramichi).

Mr. Fisher holds an MA in Organization Management and Development (specializing in complex, large-scale system change), Fielding Graduate University, California; a post-graduate degree in journalism (University of King's College, Halifax); a bachelor's degree in Political Science (McGill); and a Train-the-Trainer certification and a diploma in Instructional Design.

(Comment.gif: For details, see: http://wikieducator.org/User:Randyfisher)

Marketing & Communications

Mr. Fisher has extensive experience in marketing, market research and segmenting niche markets; communications, outreach/advocacy and media relations; facilitating partnerships and stakeholder communication via conventional and Web 2.0 social media channels.

He has developed and executed print and online marketing and communications plans, programs and events to competitively differentiate, grow and expand company products and services. He has developed branding and messaging for conventional and online advertising and promotional campaigns; conducted needs assessments, survey research, in-depth interviews and focus groups to identify, analyze and capitalize on Customer behaviour, social media trends and emergent market and channel development opportunities. He has authored a free e-book: Insider's Guide to Accelerate Online Engagement: 10 Top Secrets to Achieve Great Results.

He excels in facilitating stakeholder 'buy-in', a sense of pride and ownership - understanding why and how resistance to change occurs, and how it can be addressed for mutual benefit. He is a leader in the open-source (education) ecosystem, and as "WikiRandy" he has trained, supported and mobilized opinion leaders, suppliers and partners to be an extended sales force (ambassadors); and helped design and build WikiEducator.org - a top 100K website, and community of 18,000 educators in 120 countries (Commonwealth of Learning / Open Education Resources Foundation).

He has worked professionally as a journalist (The Globe and Mail Report on Business, The Financial Post and CBC Radio and for numerous private and public sector organizations, networks, communities and consortia. His work includes:

  • branding, messaging and corporate communications and e-learning
  • event management, promotion and public relations (Executives on Auction, Public Policy Forum, PRECARN Centre of Excellence national conference)
  • article writing and software features (ACR Systems)
  • interviews, fact sheets, speechwriting (Bell-Northern Research, Canada Post)
  • media relations (Eco Expo)
  • advertising, promotion, communication and e-marketing to generate profile, visibility and attendance for a post-Japan tsunami commercial opportunities (Canada Green Building Council/ Department of Foreign Affairs & International Trade);
  • market research, pricing and communications strategy for environmental / green building software (Athena), recognized by the US Environmental Protection Agency;
  • meetings with editorial boards in pan-Canadian campaign to increase environmental service visibility;
  • survey research and analysis to develop the 1st database for Canada's Top 100 Forest Technology firms (Forintek Canada);
  • needs assessment, gap analysis and strategic action planning for a new virtual learning institute (New Brunswick Community College, Primary Healthcare Nursing Practitioner Program);
  • survey research and analysis to assess the market for training needs for Ontario's telecom equipment manufacturers (TRIO/OCRI);
  • market research, surveys and focus groups to develop the economic development value proposition for recruiting IT /knowledge-based firms to a recently-decommissioned Canadian Forces Base in a remote community (SkyPark Miramichi)


Mr. Fisher holds an MA in Organization Management and Development (specializing in complex, large-scale system change), Fielding Graduate University, California; a post-graduate degree in journalism (University of King's College, Halifax); a bachelor's degree in Political Science (McGill); and a Train-the-Trainer certification and a diploma in Instructional Design.

(Comment.gif: For details, see: http://wikieducator.org/User:Randyfisher)

Marketing, Promotions & Sales Support

Mr. Fisher has extensive experience in marketing, market segmentation, survey research and communications; promotions and sales support; facilitating change and stakeholder engagement, 'buy-in' and user adoption; and project management. He has considerable expertise with Web 2.0 social media, website content management and online learning to strengthen Customer, Partner and Community engagement, reduce costs and increase market share.

He has authored a free e-book: Insider's Guide to Accelerate Online Engagement: 10 Top Secrets to Achieve Great Results

He has developed and executed print and online marketing and communications plans and programs to competitively differentiate, grow and expand company products and services. He has developed print and online advertising and promotional campaigns; supported channel development; conducted needs assessments, survey research, in-depth interviews and focus groups to identify, analyze and capitalize on Customer behaviour, social media trends and emergent market opportunities.

He has achieved great success in strengthening partnerships and growing online communities, by applying Gladwell's Tipping Points and Chaos/Complexity Theory to support, facilitate and accelerate stakeholder engagement and leadership for greater 'buy-in' and passionate ownership Collaborative Engagement. He has trained, supported and mobilized opinion leaders, suppliers and partners to be an extended sales force (ambassadors); and helped design and build WikiEducator.org - a top 100K website, and community of 18,000 educators in 120 countries (Commonwealth of Learning / OER Foundation).

He has worked professionally as a journalist (The Globe and Mail Report on Business, The Financial Post and CBC Radio. His work includes: advertising, promotion, communication and e-marketing to generate profile, visibility and attendance for a post-Japan tsunami commercial opportunities (CaGBC / Department of Foreign Affairs & International Trade); market research, pricing and communications strategy for environmental / green building software (Athena), recognized by the US Environmental Protection Agency; survey research and analysis to develop the 1st database for Canada's Top 100 Forest Technology firms (Forintek); needs assessment, gap analysis and strategic action planning for a new virtual learning institute (New Brunswick Community College); survey research and analysis to assess the market for training needs for Ontario's telecom equipment manufacturers (TRIO/OCRI); market research, surveys and focus groups to develop the economic development value proposition for recruiting IT /knowledge-based firms to a recently-decommissioned Canadian Forces Base in a remote community (SkyPark Miramichi).

Mr. Fisher holds an MA in Organization Management and Development (specializing in complex, large-scale system change), Fielding Graduate University, California; a post-graduate degree in journalism (University of King's College, Halifax); a bachelor's degree in Political Science (McGill); and a Train-the-Trainer certification and a diploma in Instructional Design.

(Comment.gif: For details, see: http://wikieducator.org/User:Randyfisher)

Learning Technologies, Instructional Design & Faculty/Student Engagement in Online/E-Learning Environments

Mr. Fisher, has 7+ years of experience in learning technologies, instructional design; change management and stakeholder engagement. He has worked with leading organizations, networks and consortia in Canada, USA, South Africa and New Zealand to develop e-learning strategies and implementation plans, conduct needs assessments and gap analyses, and evaluate training and capacity-building programs, courses and interventions. He has an MA in Organization Management and Development (Fielding Graduate University).

Mr. Fisher has considerable strengths in behind-the-scenes facilitation, mentoring and coaching to engage stakeholders in change processes, improve learning outcomes and achieve greater performance. In addition, he has a thorough understanding of adult education and considerable experience in instructional design and Web 2.0 social collaboration to engage stakeholders; prepare them for online teaching, learning and leadership while building successful, growing online communities. He also is an experienced project manager: he has coordinated the design, development and presentation of materials for diverse audiences.

He has authored a free e-book: Insider's Guide to Accelerate Online Engagement: 10 Top Secrets to Achieve Great Results.

He has worked with education organizations to design, develop and evaluate value-for-money of training/e-learning programs and curricula (Council of Ontario Universities Program for Nursing - Ontario Primary HealthCare Nursing Practitioner program) , including a gap analysis and needs assessment. He is collaborating with a Ph.D. researcher at Leeds University, UK (Gurmit Singh), to develop a reflexive online learning model for healthcare professionals to improve patient care and practice.

As "WikiRandy", he is widely-regarded for his work with open-source community, and the Commonwealth of Learning, WikiEducator.org and the Open Education Resources Foundation - where he helped train and build a community of 18,0000 educators in 120 countries. He has collaborated with subject matter experts to design, develop, implement, and evaluate learning initiatives and methods including face-to-face; e-learning, self-directed, webinar and blended/hybrid training that use a variety of tools and learning and content management systems such as Mediawiki, Moodle, Wordpress, Blackboard, WebCT, GoToMeeting / Elluminate.

Mr. Fisher holds an MA in Organization Management and Development, Fielding Graduate University, California (specializing in complex, large-scale system change); a post-graduate degree in journalism; and certifications in advanced technology management and train-the-trainer. He has completed the requirements for the BC Provincial Instructor Diploma program.

(Comment.gif: For details, see: http://wikieducator.org/User:Randyfisher)

Learning Technologies & Support (Academia)

Mr. Fisher has experience in providing learning technology and support services for educational technologies and the people who use them. He has in-depth knowledge and understanding of instructional design, e-learning applications and hybrid / blended delivery models; LMS, CMS, online community platforms and peer learning networks, including social media platforms, wikis, blogs and forums. He uses his knowledge of organizational structure, academic culture and program expertise to facilitate behaviour change - and reassure and engage faculty, learners and admin, who may lack the confidence and/or skills to use proprietary and open source education technologies and improve learning outcomes and performance. (WikiEducator.org)

He has authored a free e-book: Insider's Guide to Accelerate Online Engagement: 10 Top Secrets to Achieve Great Results

A critical thinker and problem-solver, he has supported / trained faculty to develop online teaching skills, and developing digital resources and solutions (i.e.,YouTube videos, streaming media, handouts, FAQs, manuals, web materials) working with Learning Technologies application developers, and end-users alike. He has provided real-time support for various Learning Management Systems including Moodle, Wordpress, Confluence and Drupal, and has addressed complex student and faculty queries in a timely manner, via phone, email, instant messaging and GoToMeeting, Elluminate. (i.e., managing functionality, display, organization, permissions, access and analyzing analytics); improved business processes and workflow.

He has worked with education organizations to design, develop and evaluate training/e-learning programs and curricula. A leader in Open Education Resources (OERs), he is widely-regarded for his community-building, facilitation, training and capacity-building efforts for WikiEducator.org - a community of 18,000+ educators in 120 countries); the Community College Consortium for OERs (acquired by MITs OpenCourseWare consortium); and the development of sustainable communities-of-practice for community media and public health professionals in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean. At the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), he coordinated a consortium of 10 universities in 10 countries to deliver the Commonwealth Executive MBA / MPA programs, and designed a 5-day learning workshop (Malaysia) to convert print-based courses into online learning formats. He also supported six (6) education specialists in higher education, community media and public health, governance, e-learning and international organizations to facilitate learning and development, and the sharing of knowledge and best practices.

Mr. Fisher holds an MA in Organization Management and Development, Fielding Graduate University, California (specializing in complex, large-scale system change); a post-graduate degree in journalism; and certifications in advanced technology management and train-the-trainer. He has completed the requirements for the BC Provincial Instructor Diploma program (practicum remaining).

(Comment.gif: For details, see: http://wikieducator.org/User:Randyfisher)

Open Doors Group - Project Management Skills for Scientists & Engineers

Mr. Fisher has extensive experience in stakeholder and community engagement, organization development, change management, project management, facilitation and performance. As ‘WikiRandy’, he has demonstrated leadership in e-learning, blended learning and Open Education Resources (OERs) through his facilitation and community-building efforts for Community College Consortium for Open Education Resources; the Commonwealth of Learning, the OER Foundation and WikiEducator (18,000+ educators in 120 countries); and the design and development of sustainable communities-of-practice for community media and public health professionals in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean. Professionally-trained as a journalist, his competencies also include marketing, market research, communications, outreach and collaboration using Web 2.0 social networking tools for the public and private sectors and academia. He holds an MA in Organization Management and Development; a post-graduate degree in journalism; and certifications in advanced technology management, and instructional design for adults.


(Comment.gif: For details, see: http://wikieducator.org/User:Randyfisher)

Open Education Resources (OERs) Consulting & Training

Mr. Fisher has extensive experience in facilitating stakeholder and community engagement for the development, use and re-use of open education resources (OERs). He has experience in instructional design, adult education and Web 2.0 social collaboration to develop flexible and affordable learning materials.

He has authored a free e-book: Insider's Guide to Accelerate Online Engagement: 10 Top Secrets to Achieve Great Results

As "WikiRandy", he was instrumental in building the highly-regarded WikiEducator.org project - think Wikipedia for Educators - which has grown to 18,000 users in 120 countries. He has also facilitated, mentored and mobilized opinion leaders and partners to create spinoff communities including organizational and programming development for Community Media / Community Radio and public health communities (Media for Learning).

He is currently conducting an operational review (value-for-money) of the distance education functions of the Ontario Primary Healthcare Nurse Practitioner program (PHCNP) delivered via 9 universities. He has worked with numerous OER projects (Commonwealth of Learning, CCCOER, MITE, OER Foundation, OER Africa) for OER community and materials development as well as building appropriate revenue models. He has also conducted formative evaluations of training / e-learning modules, curricula and communities-of-practice in education and public health; designed, implemented and evaluated performance interventions to increase participation and interaction in online and hybrid / blended courses and communities-of-practice. He is a contributor to the book - Project Management Skills for All Careers, a College Open Textbook project funded by The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.. He is co-developing an online OER model for healthcare professionals to save money and improve patient care and practice.

Mr. Fisher holds an MA in Organization Management and Development (specializing in complex, large-scale system change), Fielding Graduate University, California; a post-graduate degree in journalism (University of King's College, Halifax); a bachelor's degree in Political Science (McGill); and a Train-the-Trainer certification and a diploma in Instructional Design.


(Comment.gif: For details, see: http://wikieducator.org/User:Randyfisher)

Talking Points

Nonprofit

  • Evaluation
  • Engagement
  • E-Learning

He has authored a free e-book: Insider's Guide to Accelerate Online Engagement: 10 Top Secrets to Achieve Great Results

Alumni Relations

  • Market Segmentation
  • Engagement
  • Community-Building / Online Engagement

Marketing

  • Marketing
  • Market Segmentation
  • Online Engagement / Web 2.0

Instructional Design, Learning Technologies

  • Instructional Design
  • E-Learning
  • Engagement
  • Faculty Support, Train-the-Trainer

IT / CIO

  • User Adoption, ROI
  • Change Management / Business Processes
  • Engagement
  • Capacity-Building

Networks, Communities

  • CCCOER
  • Educause
  • LinkedIn
  • NROC
  • Universities, Colleges
  • WikiEducator

Resources

Retrieved from "https://wikieducator.org/index.php?title=User:Randyfisher/Bio&oldid=888858"