Dr. Robert (Bob) Sochowski

Dr. Robert Sochowski is an adjunct contract professor in open, digital, and distance education at Athabasca University. Robert completed his Doctorate in Education (Education Technology) at the University of Calgary, a Master of Arts degree (Leadership in Health) from the Royal Roads University, a Bachelor of Arts degree (Adult Education) from the University of the Fraser Valley and earned an Engineering Technology diploma (Mechanical—Building Systems) from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.

Robert’s interest in online distance education has become the cornerstone of his professional career development, from applying innovative learning methods for his own education to conducting doctoral research in apprenticeship trades programs. Robert’s dissertation used a case study approach to investigate instructors’ experience in electrical apprenticeship trades training programs as they shifted toward online distance delivery modes.

At that time, the research results indicated that the potential for online distance learning was not fully realized because of local accessibility issues and instructors’ unfamiliarity with the utilized technologies. His research has helped create a trades field shift from predominately traditional teaching methods to incorporating opportunities for online distance learning using innovative technologies.

Robert’s diverse professional career includes his current work as a government of BC director, during which he maintains client relationships and meets clients’ strategic facility and business account management needs. He also brings many years of experience as a mechanical engineering design technologist. In this position, he designed innovative mechanical building systems, which involved him becoming an early adopter as an accredited professional in Canada in the implementation of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) strategies for buildings in Canada. Robert’s mechanical engineering and change leadership legacy consists of developing an innovative regional water-quality program for protecting the drinking water supply from cross-connection contaminations for +415,000 people.

Aside from teaching, working fulltime, and learning, Robert keeps busy by staying healthy and training for competitive dragon boating at a National Level. His Team Canada crew recently earned gold medals on the podium in a world dragon boat competition event.

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Research interests

• Online distance education
• Hybrid teaching
• Program evaluation
• Mechanical engineering
• Apprenticeship training
• Leadership
• Project planning
• Strategic Planning

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Educational credentials

• University of Calgary, Doctor of Education – Technology
• Royal Roads University, M.A. in Social Science – Leadership in Health
• University of Tthe Fraser Valley, B.A. in Adult Education
• Univesity of Victoria, Certificate in Adult Education
• Vancouver Community College, Provincial Instructor Diploma
• Southern Alberta Institute of Technology:
  • Mechanical Engineering Technology – Air Conditioning Engineering Technology Diploma
  • Computer-Aided Design Drafting (CADD) Certificate
  • Plant Operation Fourth Class Certificate

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Professional affiliations

• Certified Professional, ASTT (Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of British Columbia)
• Certified Professional, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
• Member, AECT (Association for Educational Communications and Technology)
• Member, AACE (Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education)
• Member, CASAE (Canadian Association for the Study of Adult Education)
• Certified Professional, Level 1 Building & Plumbing Inspector, BOABC (Building & Plumbing Officials’ Association of BC)
• Chair & Vice Chair, CSA (Canadian Standards Association – Technical committees)
• Member (past President Vancouver Island Chapter), ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers)

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