Faculty Retreat 2000
Breakout Session: Technology Focus Group
Facilitator: Jay Jones
Action Items
- Incoming students must meet basic information technology (IT) standards
- Basic skills would include familiarity with an operating system and basic hardware, word processing software, spread sheet, web navigation, e-mail, file transfer etc.
- The precise competencies would be determined by the faculty of the college, school or graduate department offering the program
- Proficiency may be demonstrated by testing or completion of approved credit bearing courses (e.g. introduction to computing)
- Adequate staffing and other resources must be available to support this requirement
- Those that do not demonstrate competency upon testing may take a comprehensive introduction to computing course or mini-workshops focused on teaching specific skills (e.g. effective use of the Web, spreadsheets, word processing) to gain these skills.
- Short courses should be offered regularly and should be open to all students, faculty and staff
- IT should be fully integrated into the curriculum in much the same way as reading is, to reinforce these skills and encourage growth throughout
- A capstone experience or other provision needs to be developed so that all our graduating students can prepare effective written papers/documents, make effective presentations using appropriate technology, and prepare an effective resume. This will help insure that all our graduates represent both themselves and the University well.
- We must strengthen the hardware and software infrastructure to allow faculty to use appropriate technology in the classroom, lab and network environment. e.g.
- Faculty computers and related equipment must be kept current with no less than a four-year replacement cycle.
- Some catching up is needed in order to eliminate devices that are grossly outdated.
- Approximately one third of the classrooms should be seamless presentation and related equipment.
- Provisions for teleconferencing and other functions must be explored and developed as needed
- Faculty need to have adequate support to allow them to use technology effectively and more fully. (Some mention was made of requiring a basic level of competency for faculty.)
- Knowledgeable IT specialists must be added to provide prompt service for hardware and software in addition to staffing an effective help desk.
- Instructional technology support needs to be developed. This includes establishment of an adequately staffed Instructional Technology Center.
- Adequate attention must be given to providing support for off campus programs, including part-time faculty training and strategies for making IT resources available to students.
- The University must continue to survey and integrate appropriate IT into our activities.
- Adequate funding must be provided to maintain the current infrastructure as well as to make needed enhancements.
