Telnet College Version 2.0

1. Telnet College Version 2.0 UPGRADE FOR THE NEW MILLENIUM

2. “Information technology is an integral and indispensable component of education and research in the 21st century.” Where are we?

3. Institutional Characteristics We are REACTIVE • Mission Statement • Vision Statement • Academically sound • Increased diversity • Historic Facilities

4. 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

5. Student Characteristics We must be PROACTIVE • “Traditional student” is anything but! • Assimilation—of technology, resistance is futile! Students have grown up with it in their daily lives.

6. 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

7. Transition from Faculty-centered to Student-centered • 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. Issues Committees • Assessment • Digital Divide • Web-based Student Services • Building Community • Online Harassment • Dealing with Technology Savvy Parents • Staffing • Distance Learning

11. 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

12. Assessment “Assessment is the systematic collection, review, and use of information about educational programs undertaken for the purpose of improving student learning and development.”

13. Assessment Astin: 3 Parts to Assessing Student Learning 1) Beginning knowledge, skills, and experiences 2) Experiences which enhance learning and development 3) Outcomes

14. Assessment • Purpose: “Understand how educational programs are working (or will work) and determine whether they are contributing to student growth and development”

15. Assessment Must consider Telnet College’s Values Goals Vision Mission

16. 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

17. AssessmentWhat 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

18. AssessmentWhat 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. Web-based Student ServicesWhy 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

22. 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

23. Web-based Student ServicesWhat 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

24. 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

25. Building CommunityWhat 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

26. Building CommunityWhat 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

27. Building CommunityWhat 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

28. Building CommunityWhat 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

29. 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

30. 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.

31. Dealing With Tech Savvy ParentsWhy 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

32. 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

33. 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.”

34. 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

35. 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

36. 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

37. Distance LearningWhy 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

38. Distance LearningWhat 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

39. 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

40. 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

41. Thank You!