2023 Masters of Defence Studies Cyclical Program Review Implementation Plan Update of Cycle 1

1. All DS selected for posting to CFC reviewed for suitability for graduate teach by Cmdt CFC in conjunction with Dean of Graduate Studies.
2. Review of teaching/ supervision being done by UTs that should be done by DS.

DGS, DSSH, Cmdt CFC, DAcad CFC

1. 11 June 2021 letter issued by Comdt CFC to COMCDA, Comdt RMC, and Principal RMC noting “CFC will not review teaching skills of officers posted in as DS at APS; the post- command, JCSP and Masters qualified, Lieutenant-colonel DMilC selections for DS remain suitable. The Dean of Graduate Studies will not have any role in reviewing officer postings into CFC.”
2. Workload analysis of UT roles and resources completed 23 June 2021. Results used to inform CFC annual DTEP submission for additional resources, which was unsuccessful at CMP level.

CFC continues to press for additional personnel resources via the DTEP process.

Culture Change Money

Cease enrollment to MDS DL variant.

1. CFC Registrar is also Assoc Registrar RMC. Review access permissions, information management and work flows to ensure optimized access to student/ programme data.
2. Review the student evaluation forms and processes in conjunction with CFC.

VPA, Registrar, DCmdt CFC

1. Complete for AY 2019/20.
2. Complete AY2022/23

VPA, DGS, Chair MDS, DCmdt CFC.

Staffing. During the review period, IRC staffing levels increased from 33% of established positions to 77% .

Three librarians and 3 library technicians were hired as indeterminate public servants. The Dallaire Centre of Excellence funds one of the librarian positions. During the same period, the College deleted the IRC’s two support positions from its establishment.

Contractors now provide collection management, digital asset creation and library administration services. In-year contract funding for a librarian has been provided on a 3- year trial to support JCSP DL. Funding for contractors is not included in the IRC baseline.

Resources. Through a combination of baseline and in-year funding the College has sustained consistent funding of IRC collections -- digital and print resources. The high-percentage of in-year funding used to sustain CFC including the IRC poses some risk in budget planning ad expenditure management.

Remote Access. Remote access to IRC resources has been available to IRC users since 1988. Remote access to CAF Virtual Library resources has been available to users since 2005.

RMC and CFC should investigate optimization of their independent LMSs to consider integration or, at least, harmonization.

Significant investments have been made on CFC information systems. During the pandemic, CFC transitioned to the Office 365 system. The CFC Learn LMS was upgraded for residential course services. CFC deems maintaining separate LMS services essential for good security practice.

DDS has run a number of EDII workshops aimed at improving pedagogical practice since June 2021. To date, they have focused on UT practice and “complementary studies” courses. In the coming year, DDS will run additional workshops aimed at “Core” and “Stream” curriculum, as well as pedagogical practice of CFC Directing Staff. DDS is developing metrics for EDII for inclusion in 2023 IQAP self study report.

Fully map learning outcomes against GDLEs and specific evaluations. Establish a data collection plan to measure success and review on a periodic basis.

In 11 June 2021 letter from Comdt. CFC to COMCDA/Comdt. RMC, and Principal RMC, it was noted "mapping Graduate Degree Level Expectations is outside CFC scope. This requires at the front-end that the CAF Profession of Arms feed the system with established professional competencies. Once this is done, mapping can be passed to the Academic Faculty team to finalise the mapping demand.” CFC unsuccessfully explored this issue with a variety of CMP formations. As GDLEs are the responsibility of the university, DDS, in conjunction with CFC Staff, will map MDS courses against existing guidance. As Programme Outcome (PO) and Programme Learning Outcome (PLO) are responsibility of DDS, we will employ the “last good order” from CDA by using existing Programme Outcome and Course Outcome criteria found in the JCSP Syllabus in their stead.

PLO/CO mapping complete AY2023/24 (assuming PLOs conform to existing syllabi – otherwise this will require greater coordination with CAF authorities).

Collaboratively develop an SLA between RMC and CFC to clarify responsibilities of each institution with regards to MDS delivery.

VPA, DGS, DSSH and DComd and DAcad, CFC.