IT Strategic Planning Work
Group
Input to the University
Strategic Plan
From Work Group Member #1:
I.
Advance academic excellence
o Distance
Learning –
a. Robust
Course Management System/Learning Management System (Angel or Blackboard
b. Provide
all student services at a distance/online
c. Provide
a robust helpdesk to assist the distance learner
d. Provide
a robust multimedia presentations (QMultimedia/Mediasite)
III.
Increase alumni involvement
o Promote
fundraising initiatives by the use of more robust multimedia presentations (QMultimedia/Mediasite)
IV.
Strengthen the teaching and scholarly development of
faculty and professional development of staff
o
Promote staff development with the creation of
multimedia presentations for their review (QMultimedia/Mediasite)
V.
Increase Gannon’s enrollment
o Increase
enrollment with non-traditional students in an online environment at a distance
with the appropriate programs
From Work Group Member #2:
I think there are items under each goal that could be
achieved better, faster, or cheaper with technology. I've listed several
items below. The items with the asterisks are the ones I would count
as my top 7.
*Goal I, Academic Programs, Item g -- We
need to use the data we have for assessment and decision-making...and we need
to collect/gather the additional information that we need.
*Goal I, Academic Programs, Item h -- Technology
is what high school students know, the not use it.
Goal I, Students, Item f -- Technology could provide the
bridge between academic and outside experiences.
*Goal I, Students, Item g -- We need to
train faculty more regularly and we need to get timely and accurate information
to both the faculty and the students.
Goal II, Item e -- Gannon could host distance education
courses and/or video-conferencing.
Goal II, Item h -- Gannon could be a host site for the
diocese.
*Goal III, Item a -- Many high
successful individuals like "tech" toys. Are there ways we can
appeal to them with technology?
*Goal IV, Item e -- This fits with
Goal I, AP, item g. Let's use our data to evaluate and make the necessary
changes. Work smarter not harder.
Goal V, Item c -- Could we use technology to help support
and train entrepreneurial endeavors? This could help our image.
*Goal VI, Item c -- Our students our
tech savvy. We need to find more effective ways of communicating with
them.
*Goal VI, Item f -- This fits with
Goal I, AP, Item g and Goals IV, Item e.
From Work Group Member #3:
Goal IV – Strengthen teaching and scholarly development of
faculty and the professional development of staff. Regarding professional development of staff –
technology training for staff and administration is dependent on individual
departments. Training for administration
and staff on new technology – or just upgrading skills, should be available
without having to pay CTCE for it. IF
CETL only addresses faculty – there is a real need for administration and
staff.
Improve access to the Library database from off-campus users. We have had many complaints lately regarding the proxy server. Is there a better way?
From Work Group Member #4:
Goal I, Academic
Programs, Items (b)(g)
Program evaluation
·
Can software be created to tie in the multiple
reports that need to be submitted, many of which require the same information (ie.
Annual report, outcomes reports, program review, Unit plans, faculty
self-evaluations)? This would save valuable
time used for preparing similar information in each format.
Goal I, Academic
Programs, Item (d) appropriate information & communication technology
·
The Dean requires faculty to complete an online
form, each semester, entering teaching schedules class-by-class with course
code, class name, dates, time, location, # students etc. Can the information already on GUExpress be merged with this or else change to a program
that utilizes GUexpress to save valuable time?
Goal I, Faculty, Item
(g) CETL
·
Can the courses that are offered in CIM be
offered through CETL at no charge for programs on limited budgets which can’t
afford the cost?
Goal I, Students,
Item (g) Advising
·
Educate faculty to use technology for
advising: email, virtual office hours,
Instant Messenger
Goal I, Academic programs, Item (j); Goal I,
Faculty, Item (f); Goal IV, Items (a)(e)
·
This document calls for change that ‘alters the
culture of the institution’ including changing ‘assumptions and
behaviors’. Presently, not all members
of the Gannon Community embrace current and/or innovative technology.
·
How can we engage these individuals to make use
of the support and resources that are available on Campus? Can individualized or group training be tied
into yearly evaluations and merit performance review or an incentive “bonus”
through a “venture capital fund”?