Jodene M. Mills, BA, MDE

 

EDUCATION

 

1998-2002                   Athabasca University, Calgary, Alberta

Master of Distance Education

·         Concentrated on computer-mediated communication, adult education, online learning, international issues and cross cultural considerations in distance education.

 

1995-1998                   University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta

Bachelor of Arts

 

1993-1995                   Okanagan University College, Kelowna, British Columbia

General Studies

 

CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS

 

2004                            Workshop Facilitator, Calgary, Alberta

Shooting Screens and Movies for Free

·         Facilitator of two weeklong, asynchronous online workshops to introduce participants to the latest versions of ScreenHunter, Wink, and Cam Studio software.  Participants build their own videos, and learn how to use them to enhance their online courses.

 

2002                            Designate, Banff, Alberta

ISEC (international Symposium on Educational Conferencing)

·         The Symposium has two major themes: Computer-Mediated Conferencing and Video-conferencing.  Sessions dealt with current research projects and results, best practices, and community building.

 

2000                            Designate, Edmonton, Alberta

DET (Distance Education and Training Conference

·         Opportunities were provided for participants to see and discuss how various technologies are being applied in distance education and training.

 

EXPERIENCE

 

Calgary Zoo , Calgary, Alberta (September 2005 - Present)

Coordinator, Volunteer Resources

·          Coordinating approximately 650 volunteers in Special Events, Animal Care, Horticulture and Education roles, with a primary focus on education volunteers and the departments they support.

·          Direct facilitation of volunteers.

·          Determining the volunteer needs of the organization, recruiting volunteers to fill those positions, aiding in the training and development of volunteers, and supervising, recognizing and rewarding volunteers.

·          Foster a supportive working relationship between and employees and volunteers.

·          Conflict management.

 

University of Calgary , Calgary, Alberta (2000 - Present)

Sessional Instructor, Faculty of Continuing Education, (2004 - Present)

·          Learning Online

·          In this course, students learn how to develop and practice organization, collaboration, and computer-mediated communication skills, and how to perform successful Internet searches.  This course offers hands-on opportunities to experience the strategies and skills that can make online learning successful.  It is part of the Faculty of Continuing Education’s Certificate in e-Learning.

 

Sessional Instructor, Faculty of Communication and Culture, (2003 – Present)

·          Information Technology and Society

·          This course examines the impact of information and communication technologies on society, individual psychology, and concepts of knowledge from the perspective of individual, student, consumer, and citizen.  Historical, ethical and legal implications are discussed.

 

National Tutor, Haskayne School of Business, (2002 – 2005)

·          Change and Technology in Society

·          Tutor approximately 200 students enrolled in a distance-education (web-based) course.  Responsible for facilitating discussion in web-based technology, and answering questions regarding the course requirements, course materials, assignments, and study techniques.

 

Course Marker, Haskayne School of Business, (2000 – 2005)

·          Change and Technology in Society

·          Mark written assignments for students enrolled in Change and Technology in Society.  Answer inquiries regarding assignments, grading, and writing techniques.

 

NOVA Chemicals , Calgary, Alberta (1999 - 2005 )

Web Administrator

·          Designed, maintained and evaluated effectiveness of distance education programs within Occupational Health, to include international and cross-cultural considerations.  This includes the creation of computer-based training modules for certain programs within Occupational Health.

·          Responsible for Intranet website development.  This includes the design, implementation and upkeep of web sites under management of NOVA Chemicals’ Occupational Health and Product Integrity departments.

·          Responsible for the creation of training materials pertaining to Occupational Health for facilitators, trainers, and leaders within NOVA Chemicals on an International level.  This includes the development and maintenance of manuals and other educational materials such as brochures, pamphlets, online presentations, etc.  Included in this role is the need to document and implement process changes, and develop reference materials)

·          Oversaw Wellness Checkpoint Program and accompanying software, to include reporting as requested, design and upgrade of the program, software and upgrade evaluations, and acting as the key liaison between NOVA Chemicals, the vendor, and site contacts on a global level. 

·          Integrated the Occupational Health web network with everyday Intranet use by staff and leaders, to ensure optimal results in health and training for NOVA Chemicals and its employees.

·          Maintained relational databases for NOVA Chemicals products to fulfil regulatory requirements.

·          Created and maintain invoice-tracking and contract-tracking databases.

 

AEA Technology / Hyprotech, Inc., Calgary, Alberta (1999 - 2000)

Contracts Analyst

·          Generate all software contracts for vendors of AEA Technology / Hyprotech Inc.

·          End-user support for clients regarding their software licenses.

·          Desktop support.

·          Database creation using Microsoft Access for license tracking purposes.

 

Canadian Pacific Railway, Calgary, Alberta (1998 - 1999)

Associate, Information Services

 

Re/Max Real Estate (Central), Calgary, Alberta (1997 - 1998)

Real Estate Assistant


 

COMPUTER PROFICIENCY

 

·          HTML and HomeSite

·          Internet conferencing software (NetMeeting, PlaceWare, MSN)

·          Learning tools such as Web-CT, Blackboard, Cam Station

·          SAP, SAP Tutor

·          Windows 95, Office 97, Windows 98, Windows NT

·          Microsoft Suite – Word, Access, PowerPoint, Excel

·          Adobe Photoshop, Paintshop Pro

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & INTERESTS

 

I have a variety of interests, ranging from educational pursuits (international issues in distance education), to the outdoors (white water rafting, horseback riding, hiking), to animal rescue.  My volunteering reflects my dedication to animal rescue and wildlife conservation. My lifelong travel dreams were realized in February 2005 with a solo trip to South Africa and Zimbabwe.

 

Calgary Zoo, Calgary, Alberta (2003 - Present)

Docent

·          Participated in extensive naturalist, zoological and taxonomical training in order to be a Docent.  As a Docent, I speak to Zoo visitors, conduct tours and special events, and give information presentations with “bio facts” (to include pelts, skulls, etc.) or animal demonstrations.  Docents do anything they can to network with the public and help the Zoo pass along its message of education and wildlife conservation.

 

Northern Canadian Greyhound League, Calgary, Alberta (2003 - Present)

Foster Home & Miscellaneous Tasks

·          As a foster home, I rehabilitate Greyhounds that have been rescued from the racetrack.  They are coached through their fears, taught house manners, given basic obedience, and adopted to a well-screened home.

·          I have also participated in transports, either from the racetrack the dogs were rescued from, or from the foster home to a waiting adoptive home.

 

Animal Rescue Foundation, Calgary, Alberta (1999 - 2003)

Calendar Coordinator, (2002 – 2003)

·          ARF has a yearly fundraiser calendar, featuring professional photographs of some of our adopted dogs.  I was the Design Coordinator for the 2003 Calendar, and Coordinator for the 2004 calendar.  Involved in this position is the coordination of a team of approximately 20 individuals for fundraising, distribution, advertising, scheduling photographers with their subjects, finding venue’s to showcase our photographs, liaising with the Board of Directors, and being a spokesperson with the press.

 

Spay and Neuter Clinics, (2001 – 2003)

·          Participate in picking up dogs and cats from First Nation’s Reserves around Calgary, pre-operative and post-operative care, and delivering the animals back to their owners.

 

Volunteer Coordinator, (2000 – 2002)

·          Coordination of 15-20 volunteers at a “display store” with cats and dogs available for adoption.

 

Foster Home, (1999 – 2003)

·          Foster homes are critical for ARF.  We rehabilitate, train, and adopt out our foster cats and dogs to loving adoptive homes.