Whatever time you’re reading this, greetings! Believe it or not we only have left in this semester.

I can barely believe it myself. For me, the end of this course will mark the completion of my first year in the IMC program. My how
I know from past experience that this is the time when things really start to get intense or rather more intense than usual. We all are trying to tweek, revise, etc. past assignments for that final project, while still having to manage to remain focused on the assignments/postings for the next couple weeks, and that’s only the IMC aspect as there is also work, family, friends, and whatever else monopolizes our time, that we must try to balance as effectively as we can in the hopes of trying to stay afloat .

For those of you who are , don’t let this phase you though. Things do get intense in some courses, but in real life, we all have to meet which will not be our only priority, so this program provides excellent practice or further practice, as the case may be in this respect.

As I’ve mentioned before, this semester, I’m taking IMC 615. Each week, with the exception of last week, I’ve tried to incorporate elements of how creative strategies can and should be used in the different subject areas I have been covering. So this week, given that my focus appears to be the IMC Master’s program, let’s look at a few of the creative strategies that West Virginia uses to keep us engaged. (I say appears because this wasn’t my intent when I started writing, but… the words just flowed and now, it is, so I’m going with it!)

Naturally, I can’t cover all and there may be one specific creative strategy that appeals to a current or prospective student or alum that I may miss, if that’s the case, please feel free to share.

First things first, the IMC student blog idea to me is a brilliant one. Interestingly enough, the first student blogger was Anne Lineberger, who at the time was taking what else, IMC 615. The responses on the blogs, from time to time if you check the history can get lukewarm, but as we are all aware, it’s a rather hectic undertaking doing a master’s program, in addition to your usual routines. Add to that, the extra time it would take to read, respond and even more importantly MAINTAIN A BLOG, and
, finding the time can be likened to a complicated balancing act!

In addition to student blogging, the IMC program also has its own community, where information on faculty, students and alumni is accessible through profiles and video testimonials, to members of the community.

The newest addition to the creative strategies for the IMC program is the introduction of The Link, which started this year and will be a bi-annual publication. It offers information on current and past students and faculty in addition to milestone achievements, information on courses and the like. All current and prospective students, faculty and alumni are strongly encouraged to make submissions. I’m hoping that before completing this program I’ll be able to make a submission, but only time will tell.

Facebook usage is another creative strategy of the program where interested persons can join the WVU IMC group and have an additional link to others in the program that way. This is also available on LinkedIn.com if you have not yet set up an account please do so, you won’t be sorry trust me.

Prelimary research showed that the IMC Program has roughly 200 students currently enrolled which isn’t a bad number. All of us who are going through the program, have gone through the program or are teaching the program I’m sure can all attest to the fact that it has had some positive effects on our lives. To those of you intending to do this course, there is quite substantial information available. A targeted ”” search in google reveals that at least the first five results provide information on West Virginia’s IMC program. In fact and this is probably the most telling of how effective WVU’s marketing strategy is, a targeted “imc graduate programs” search brought up only three results of which this program was at the top of the list, with its FAQ’s.

The creative strategies for West Virginia’s IMC Program are continuing to evolve with the needs of its students and the times. All courses provide students with an opportunity to share their views on what they like and dislike through a survey. Even though, I have only been doing this program for a year, there have been notable changes in the program which have all served to enhance my learning experience. Believe me, though I’m oh so grateful, for the break coming up in the next two weeks, I’m truly looking forward to what my next year in the program has to offer.

Till next week, I’ll leave with a song from one of my favorite musical groups THE BEE GEES.
The lyrics may not necessarily relate to the theme of this post, but the title of the song “Staying Alive” can be said to apply, if only figuratively. Enjoy!