DRAFT - IT Vision 2012

Gannon University Information Technology Vision – 2012=

DRAFT – FOR INTERNAL USE ONL= Y

All students, faculty and staff have easy access= to, are proficient with, and know when best to utilize information and technolo= gy to optimize their efficiency and effectiveness, be innovative and collabora= te with others.

We will know our vision has become a reality when̷= 0;

· Students, faculty, staff and administrators are = able to seamlessly conduct all business with the university via the Internet/Intranet

Students register for clas= ses, check syllabi, obtain assignments and study guides, process all forms, rece= ive grades and manage their academic matrix via PCs and hand-held devices. Technology is used to enhance cust= omer service through such means as “how to” informational videos available f= or viewing or podcasting, detailed answers to questions provided 24x7x365, and integrated systems to ensure no information is ever entered more than once.=

Faculty, staff, and admini= strators manage their personnel and benefits records, conduct purchasing and budgeti= ng activities, access university policies, reference departmental procedures, submit forms, advise students, receive university communications, and apply= for faculty grants via the MyGannon portal.&nb= sp; Integrated systems are in place to manage all forms of administrative information in a coordinated fashion, providing department heads easy acces= s to reports and analysis of performance metrics. Internal user groups and online fo= rum are used to share expertise, procedural guidance and technical tips.

· The library provides access to nearly every refe= rence document available

Library offerings are now = expanded by virtual connections to more information sources than have ever been available to Gannon students. Library databases are linked to the Course Management System, and available to students and faculty from both on and off campus. Significant documents in the library’s Archives collection are digitized and available to scholars from around the world. The li= brary’s existing group study rooms have been enhanced with audio/visual PCs. Several new “case study̶= 1; rooms allow students to practice presentations and review audio and video to critique their performance. Partnerships with regional secondary schools are explored to allow t= he Gannon library to become a resource for electronic information.

· Technology is fully leveraged to enhance teachin= g and create a student-centered, collaborative, professional learning experience<= /span>

Classrooms have been renov= ated to accommodate a collaborative learning style that incorporates web-based text, audio and visual materials. F= aculty members have ample development opportunities and instructional technology assistance to utilize technology where appropriate. Gannon students take notes, solve problems, write essays and take exams on secure hand-held devices in handwriting, rather than being tied to a keyboard. To meet the expectations of millen= nial students, courses are more web-centric, with materials, interaction and vid= eo transcripts of class sessions on-line.&nbs= p; Faculty members communicate with students via a combination of curre= nt technologies that take advantage of increased bandwidth to facilitate shari= ng multi-media information. When= away from campus, students continue to access course information, work collaboratively with classmates, and take secured exams digitally.

Student writing assignments includes appropriate hyperlinks to source material, supplemental material, = and graphics, and is published and distributed electronically. Students have access to discipline-specific technologies similar to a professional setting. Gannon students work collaborative= ly with students around the country and around the world. Information literacy is now infuse= d into the curriculum and every student graduates with the ability to Discover, Acquire, Evaluate, Organize, Present and Store information electronically.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Graduates produce a rich, interact= ive portfolio of their accomplishments and activities.

· Technology is used to extend Gannon’s reac= h into the regional community and the global higher education community=

Gannon University is a regional center = for virtual learning, expanding beyond the geographic boundaries of downtown Erie, offering tra= ining, professional development, and degrees via distance learning technologies. Gannon faculty members are availab= le to businesses, political and social agencies via an electronic “Ask a Professor” messaging system. Student and faculty peer-reviewed, research is published electronically. Faculty and s= taff members will have an opportunity to maintain lifetime connections to Gannon graduates through virtual alumni gatherings and professional seminars. Individuals and departments at Gan= non enhance their efforts through strategic alliances and affiliations with oth= er universities facilitated by technology-enabled collaboration.

Prepared by= the Information Technology Strategic Planning Work Group, 4/5/06

Incorporati= ng input from the TLTR and Admin Computing Committee