“Information technology is an integral and
indispensable component of education and research
in the 21st century.”
Where are we?
Institutional Characteristics
Mission Statement Vision Statement Academically sound Increased diversity Historic Facilities
We are REACTIVE
Faculty/Staff Characteristics
Collaborative environment—Academia versus Student Affairs
Accommodation of technology—faculty and staff did not grow up with it
Traditional Programming Technology has neither been embraced
nor rejected We are REACTIVE; we simply are not
keeping up with our students
Student Characteristics
“Traditional student” is anything but!
Assimilation—of technology, resistance is futile! Students have grown up with it in their daily lives.
We must be PROACTIVE
The Millenials/Net-Generation—10 Themes
emotional and intellectual openness inclusion fierce independence free expression and strong views innovation preoccupation with maturity investigation immediacy sensitivity to corporate interest authentication and trust
Transition from
Millennial students learn differently The academy is traditionally designed
and manipulated by faculty Bring student into the equation—
assimilate technology into the student development model, use as a tool to ENHANCE rather than IMPEDE
Faculty-centeredto Student-centered
Task Force: Objectives •Will develop policy and programming to deal with the impact of technology on campus
•Develop and enforce a strategic plan based on the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for the future.
•Utilize findings of Assessment Committee to guide planning and implement suggestions of other committees
•Evaluate the proposed programs/ideas to fit with the mission and core values of the institution
Task Force
Issues Committees report to the Task Force—Task Force provides a basic setup for each committee and has identified vital issues that must be addressed.
Members include: Dean of Student Life; Director of Computer Services; 2 Students; 2 Faculty; Legal Counsel; Community Representative; Alumni Representative; Parent Representative
Issues Committees
Assessment Digital Divide Web-based Student Services Building Community Online Harassment Dealing with Technology Savvy Parents Staffing Distance Learning
AssessmentWhy it’s an issue
“Providing baseline data so that student programs and policies can respond appropriately to students’ needs”
Points to key components that must be modified in order to achieve specific goals
Assessment
“Assessment is the systematic collection, review, and use of information about educational programs undertaken for the purpose of improving student learning and development.”
AssessmentAstin: 3 Parts to Assessing Student
Learning1) Beginning knowledge, skills, and
experiences2) Experiences which enhance
learning and development 3) Outcomes
Assessment
Purpose: “Understand how educational programs are working (or will work) and determine whether they are contributing to student growth and development”
Assessment Design and implement a thoughtful
approach to assessment planning Invite other members of the college
community (faculty, students, professional staff, alumni, employers, and community members) to assist in assessment
Assist outside members to see the value of assessment and recognize them for contributions
Assessment What Needs to Be Done
Evaluate the campus community’s ability to utilize multimedia
Assess the committees’ proposed programs and recommendations in regards to the potential for student learning and development
Assessment What Needs to Be Done
Examine the attitudes of the campus community towards the proposed move towards multimedia
Examine the current status of the campus in regards to the current technology provided, as well as limitations of the older buildings
Research various campuses that are similar to determine the technology offered
Digital DivideWhy it’s an issue
Haves versus Have-Nots—while technology is largely “-ism” free, a disparity in technological access
54% of Americans are online, the majority in middle and upper class levels
Web use is growing among underprivileged groups—increasing by 25% per month in households below poverty level!
Students who have computers in their secondary schools are more likely to be technologically savvy
Digital DivideWhat needs to be done
Investigate and propose computer lab expansions
Expand grant writing proposals for assistive technology for students with identified disabilities
Add e-learning basics to freshman orientation classes
Develop partnerships with local schools to enhance e-learning at that level
Work with foundation to raise funds for computer scholarships
Web-based Student Services
Why it’s an issue Students are demanding easy, real
time access to their information Immediacy is strong theme with
our students Interest in “Virtual Campus” Budget
Web-based Student Services What needs to be done Research compatible, developer- and
student-friendly web clients and select best fit for web student information system
Begin initial investigation into technology for virtual campus tours, chat clients, and interactive web components for various student affairs areas
Web-based Student Services
What needs to be done Determine timeline for installation
and testing of web SIS Collaborate with Assessment
Committee to develop Electronic Communications Policies and Procedures
Goal—Live with web registration within 6 months
Building CommunityWhy It’s an Issue
Undergraduates are spending a large amount of time in chat rooms, downloading music, etc. Undergraduates are withdrawing to their rooms and disconnecting themselves from the campus
Integrating students into campus community influences academic success, because involved students tend to perform better academically
Schlossberg stipulates the necessity of Marginality & Mattering:– Creating an environment, via building a community,
in which students feel as though they matter will reduce withdrawal and feelings of marginality
Building Community What needs to be done
Residence Life Residential learning communities may be a good
way to integrate students into the broader campus community and therefore impact academic performance
Pascarella (1985) found that college residence has an indirect influence on students’ academic self-confidence
In a study of non-classroom experiences, Twale and Sanders (1999) found that time discussing current issues with peers outside of the class was the only non-classroom variable that significantly influenced critical thinking
Building Community What needs to be done
Design residence life programs around areas that involve technology and appeal to students
Teach Web Design in the residence halls Facilitate interactive discussions around
cable television programs such as MTV’s Real World and Flipped
Building Community What needs to be done
Admissions & Orientation Engage active involvement from members of campus
clubs/organizations during the entire Week of Welcome for new students; representatives from each campus club/organization present at Week of Welcome activities and events
Foster Involvement Early Conclude Week of Welcome activities with a Campus
Clubs & Organizations fair
Building Community What needs to be done
First Year Orientation Class Design semester long first-year orientation classes that
will increase students’ active involvement on campus First Year Orientation programs can include the
requirement of students participating in at least one program or activity from:– Fine Arts– Social Science– Residence Life– Intramural Sports/Recreational Activity– Student clubs/organizations– Healthy Lifestyles/Health Education
Online HarassmentWhy It’s an Issue
As the use of technology increases so does the possibility of harassing emails, websites, computer fraud, computer viruses, and spamming
There are few policies in the Student Conduct Code for such offenses
Online HarassmentWhat needs to be done
Review and establish a policy for potential technology issues such as, harassing emails, computer viruses, computer fraud, defamatory websites, etc.
Dealing With Tech Savvy Parents Why it’s an issue
Parents of the millennial student are more involved with their students lives
Increased contact with parents with regards to their child’s needs at the institution
The increased time spent dealing with emails and other forms of media are substantial amounts of time out of the workday
Dealing With Tech Savvy ParentsWhat needs to be done
Provide a space on each department’s web site for “parents”
Departments should make a list of their own questions that are most frequently asked of their department
Place these questions on their web site for the department
All departments should utilize this format both with in academia and student affairs
Ask the Parents’ Association of Telnet College to provide support and recommendations to departments
Staffing IssuesWhy it’s an issue
“Now with the information explosion faculty, staff and administrators must
also be technically skilled in integrating information into the curriculum, possess the ‘techno’ skills needed to secure the information, and skilled in addressing technophobia and the various learning
styles of today’s learners.”
Staffing IssuesWhy it’s an issue
“Many faculty, staff and professionals feel threatened by technology and fear losing their role as possessor and purveyor of knowledge.”
Concerns that the applicants pool many not hold the same technology values and knowledge as the population they may serve
Staffing IssuesWhat needs to be done
Identifying and recruiting technology savvy faculty, administration and staff
Developing the necessary technology skills with current employees through professional development
Educate faculty, staff and professionals on the benefits to student learning and development through the use of multimedia
Staffing IssuesWhat needs to be done
Educate the faculty, staff, and administration on the vision of the task force and the technological strategic plan
Allow outside training opportunities for faculty, staff and professionals
Distance Learning Why it’s an issue
As students knowledge of technology increases so should that of the campus community
Creates a broader base class schedule and arrangement
Definite enhancer of the institution, its mission and its service to students
Distance Learning What needs to be done
Define which classes are web friendly Establish a relationship with local areas to
fulfill the onsite location Work in collaboration with the Continuing
Education Office as well as Alumni Relations to provide a solid group for development of services
Develop online Admissions Applications Explore membership in distance learning
association Provide on-line advisement counselor
Implementation of Recommendations
Assessment Committee will review recommendations of other committees and present findings to Task Force
If necessary, Task Force will obtain higher level approval for projects
Task Force will set up timeline for implementation of short and long term goals
Outcomes and EvaluationSo What?
Successfully incorporate technology into all aspects of our campus community
Encourage student development through the perception that technology can ENHANCE rather than IMPEDE
Task Force will develop assessment tools based on student development theory to evaluate student learning and development