Meeting the Challenge of Supporting Teaching and Learning with Technology in

Tight Budget Times

Table 5Table 5Seminars on Academic ComputingSeminars on Academic Computing

University Executive SeminarUniversity Executive SeminarSnowmass 2003Snowmass 2003

Outline

I. The Problem and Associated Factors

II. Possible Solutions: Overt Strategies

III. Possible Solutions: Covert Strategies

IV. Metrics for Determining Success

V. What Would You See…

Technology for Teaching and Learning at Lewis and Clark College

The problem-

Growing demands for technology in instruction by students and younger faculty, with a simultaneous lack of institutional appreciation and support for technology.

Background

• Recent $10M institutional financial loss from College reserve funds

• Recent presidential resignation• Budgets declining, 9% this FY• Quality of students going up, but students

have more financial need• Low student retention rates• CTO reports to Provost who is not CAO• Approximately 50% of faculty will have retired

over the next 3-5 years• No institutional strategic plan• Recent faculty recommendation for TL center

Background, contd.

• Minimal faculty technology support for instruction (week-long institute)

• Students complaining about lack of technology in instruction

• IT has a strong relationship with library• No existing academic or administrative group

who would be strong advocate for TLT• No IT advisory committee

Possible Solutions: Overt Strategies

• Revitalize the educational technology committee

• Have ITAC formed (after new president is hired)

• Benchmark peer institutions in technology (particularly TLT)

• Find money to finance TLT initiatives (example: vendor sponsorships)

• Try to change reporting relationships for IT

• Train faculty to use WebCT (for syllabi at a minimum)

Possible Solutions: Covert Strategies

• Choose IT staff member(s) to act as instructional technologist

• Choose 2-3 faculty for staff to work with to put materials online

• Try to identify 2 graduate students from school of education for TLT internships

• Appoint students to faculty to act as partners• Go after grants and gifts for funding• Find possible local business partners• Build stronger ties with student government

to build advocacy to influence administration

Possible Solutions: Covert Strategies, contd.

• Draft an IT strategic plan• Recognize and reward previous TLT faculty

and engage them as mentors

Possible Metrics for Measuring Progress

• Number of faculty supported• Number of hours spent working with faculty• Number of courses with technology

components• Number of students experiencing technology

enhanced courses• Number of faculty making technology-related

presentations• Money spent on academic / instructional

computing support• Number of groups / individuals advocating for

TLT support

What you would see in three years…

• A CTL would be working with faculty

• The CTL would be run by faculty and partnered with IT and library

• CIO would be a member of cabinet

• College administration would hold CTL in high priority

• Students would have access to tech enhanced courses in their programs

• A significant number of courses would be technology enhanced

In three years, contd.

• Deans would be urging faculty to engage in CTL and crediting their careers accordingly

• Academic cabinet would prioritize the courses for CTL support

• CTL alumni would serve as faculty alumni

Questions and Discussion