Mansfield University

Technology Plan

Update 2002

Mansfield, Pennsylvania 16933

www.mansfield.edu

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Vision 1

Goals 1-2

Objectives 3-13

Staff Development 14

Middle States Plan 14

Introduction

Mansfield University recognizes the importance of information technology and the need for its graduates, faculty, and staff to be proficient with technology use now and in the 21st Century. In an effort to support technology, the State System of Higher Education and Mansfield have included information technology goals in their Strategic Plans - "The Mansfield Plan," www.mnsfld.edu/ and "Imperatives for the Future," www.sshechan.edu/stplan.htm.

This document is an update to the original technology plan created in January 1999 by Tamela Bastian. Changes to this document reflect status of original goals and objectives. Future planning is replaced by the Middle States planning document. http://my.mansfield.edu/middlestates/

Vision

Mansfield's vision is to integrate information technology throughout the community to enhance learning, teaching, access to higher education, productivity, and communication.

Goals:

1. Enhance learning through Information Technology

· Identify information technology competency levels for students, staff, and faculty through competency testing and remediation. In progress

· Establish a staff and faculty development plan for technology with the Center for Effective Teaching In progress

· Enhance and design classrooms for the future In progress

· Provide support services for computer labs, library, faculty and staff offices, residence halls, distance education, and video conferencing. Most importantly, provide support services for the integration of technology into the curriculum. In progress

2. Enhance teaching through Information Technology

· Provide faculty with the necessary tools (networked computer, projection system, vcr, etc.) to integrate technology into their curriculum. Ongoing

· Provide faculty development opportunities Ongoing

· Support faculty and staff experimentation with technology In progress

3. Enhance access to higher education through Information Technology

· Research future developments in teleconferencing In progress

· Support development of online courses Ongoing

· Provide distance education students access to library, counseling, tutoring, advising, and business services. In progress

4. Enhance productivity through Information Technology

· Improve University operations by increasing accessibility to information and equipment In progress

· Extend educational opportunities to surrounding region to increase economic development In progress

· Establish partnerships with K-12 school districts throughout the region In progress

5. Enhance communication through Information Technology

· Enhance communication with the University community, the region, State System of Higher Education, and worldwide In progress

6. Getting Information Technology Done

· Reorganize Information Technology Division to provide personalized support Completed

· Provide for recurring financial support for staff, equipment, and training in Information Technology Division. In progress

· Plan for network infrastructure upgrade needed to provide voice, data, and video services to classrooms and dormitories. Completed

· Provide redundant, secured services for administration. In progress

Goal 1: Enhance learning through Information Technology

Objective 1: Identify information technology competency levels for students, staff, and faculty

Overview: Technology has changed our society in numerous ways. We need to prepare students for roles as active citizens. Information technologies will increasingly be a part of our student's personal and professional lives. There are very few occupations that aren't dependent upon information technology. In order for students, employees, and educators to succeed they must realize their continuous need to acquire technology competencies. Mansfield strives to support a campus and community culture that encourages life long learning for all.

Implementation Plan:

· Survey or obtain input from individuals, departments, and the entire campus community to identify competencies Completed

· Identify a set of basic technology competencies needed by all members of the campus community Completed

· Review competencies established by the State System of Higher Education and incorporate these competencies into Mansfield’s plan Completed

· Inform students, staff, and faculty to encourage mastery of these competencies Completed

· Integrate these competencies within courses and professional development plans In progress

· Provide incentives to faculty and staff who achieve established competencies In progress

Objective 2: Establish a staff development plan for technology

Overview: Expand the continuous training plan and encourage staff to participate in the learning process to contribute to greater efficiency and productivity. A comprehensive set of training modules must be part of every staff member's development for the campus.

Implementation Plan:

· Analyze needs of particular groups or departments to determine training priorities Ongoing

· Purchase necessary training workbooks, videos, manuals, etc. to facilitate learning. Ongoing

· Schedule hands-on training sessions on a continual basis. Ongoing

· Schedule individualized training when appropriate based on the impact the training has to integration of technology into the curriculum or university operations. Ongoing

Objective 3: Enhance and design classrooms for the future

Overview: The traditional classroom with a chalkboard and desks or chairs arranged in rows is no longer appropriate for teaching with the integration of technology. Traditional classrooms need to be enhanced with network, cable, and telephone connectivity, computer systems, projection systems, televisions, video players, sound capabilities, optimal acoustics, flexible furniture, lighting control, whiteboards, and other technological devices that enhance the learning experience. Educators have always been aware of the importance of varying their mode of delivery in order to capture the learner's attention, but without enhancements to the classroom the traditional lecture will continue to be the only means of delivery.

Implementation Plan:

· Access current classrooms to determine needs. Budget for enhancements to existing classrooms within Instructional technology Budget administered by the Provost. Completed

· Plan and budget for technology enhanced classrooms when designing new facilities or remodeling current facilities. In Progress

· Provide staff to support these enhanced classrooms. To be determined

Objective 4: Offer students an alternative to lab computers by providing an option to lease or purchase a laptop

Overview: The development of general computer labs began in the 1970's. The number of labs have continued to increase, but with students bringing their own computers to Mansfield, the need for public access computing is expected to decline.

Implementation Plan:

· Develop a network infrastructure that allows students, faculty and staff the ability to "plug in" computers at various locations on campus. Allowing them access to primary applications and services (email, Internet, library, business services, etc.) on and off campus. Complete

· Design an information packet that describes the appropriate software that should be installed on laptop computers to maximize their compatibility with the campus network. Complete

· Collaborate with the SSHE, University bookstore, and vendors to purchase, sell, and deliver personal computers appropriately configured for our network. Complete

· Include an option within the purchase or lease agreement to buy a maintenance contract Complete

· Presume that students will arrive with their own personal computers and will want access to network applications. Complete

· Continue to allow students the choice to purchase a computer, rather than institute a University requirement. Complete

· Phase out the purchase of laptops for student circulation with University budgets. Ongoing

· Replace faculty and staff desktop computers with laptops when they are in agreement that this is a more appropriate, flexible, and cost effective alternative. Ongoing

Objective 5: Provide support services for classrooms, computer labs, library, faculty and staff offices, residence halls, distance education, and video conferencing.

Overview: Without adequate support services computer equipment will not be operational when it’s required. We need to reexamine all service areas on and off campus to determine support requirements, improve services, and develop a continuous plan for upgrading and replacing equipment.

Implementation Plan:

· Review current support levels in special labs with department faculty to determine future support requirements. Ongoing

· Formalize a plan for upgrading or replacing equipment in special labs. To be determined

· Plan and design two new writing labs to be included in Belknap Hall's facilities renovation project. Complete

· Develop a plan to improve room design and increase the number of workstations in the existing Geography Lab in Belknap Hall. Complete

· Plan and design three new teaching/learning labs for public service to regional businesses, non-profit organizations, and K-12 schools in Memorial Hall's facilities renovation project. Complete

· Plan and design a new technology equipped lecture hall on the ground floor of Retan Center to be included in Retan’s building renovation. In progress

· Improve the Allen Hall auditorium with enhanced sound capabilities. Complete

· Maintain the following labs as general use labs and plan for possible elimination of these types of labs with the increase of student ownership: Complete/Ongoing

· Health Sciences Lab, Patterson Building, Sayre

· Doane Center 24 Hour Lab

· Grant Student Lab

· Eventually phase out provision of laptops by the University for North Hall library. Continue to support desktop stations. In progress

· Continue to provide faculty and staff with a standardized computer and network connection in their office. Complete/Ongoing

· Develop small computer labs in residence halls with an assumed phase out within five years. Complete/Ongoing

· Provide residence halls with one network connection per bed. Complete

· Increase network capacity to provide fully functional access from home for faculty, staff, students and the general public for specific functions (general University information, official directory of University offices, admissions application and information, University catalog, etc.). Complete

· Provide video-conferencing capability via Internet for one-on-one and small group meetings where individuals are located at various sites. Complete/Ongoing

Goal 2: Enhance teaching through Information Technology

Objective 1: Provide faculty with the necessary tools (networked computer, projection system, VCR, etc.) to integrate technology into their curriculum.

Overview: Currently the faculty have computers in their offices and they have utilized them to complete various tasks, but without the necessary tools in the classroom the integration process will continue to focus on administrative tasks instead of instructional development.

Implementation Plan:

· Develop course web sites to provide syllabi, assignments, faculty and tutor schedules, grade postings, and to showcase student work. Ongoing

· Provide appropriate hardware, software, and technical support staff to assist with course web development. Ongoing

· Provide a means for student discussions via the web using chat rooms and listservs. Ongoing

· Encourage the use of hotlinks from course web pages to provide a rich source of information. Provide staff support to monitor these links and maintain the correct URL to reduce student frustrations when trying to utilize these links. Ongoing

· Analyze the possibility of using online assessment to eliminate the time needed in the schedule for testing and/or evaluating students. Allowing students to schedule exams, using questions drawn from a pool, could reduce the burden of make-up exams on both students and faculty. Also, by eliminating in-class testing more class activities could be added. In progress

· As computers are replaced in lab areas, computers equipped with CD-ROM drives should be increased. There are many valuable instructional resources on CD-ROM that students find superior to standard textbooks. Ongoing

Objective 2: Provide faculty development opportunities

Overview: Although we have increased funding for faculty professional development and have provided workshops for integration of technology into courses, and plan to increase these opportunities, we must do more to enable each faculty member. All faculty members must become aware of the potential positive impact that the use of information technologies can have on both teaching and learning.

Implementation Plan:

· Support personal development through the Faculty Professional Development Committee (FPDC). Ongoing

· Develop three high-tech labs on the main floor of Memorial Hall that will be used to provide instruction in the use of information technologies. Completed

· Encourage faculty presentations of innovative uses of technology in the classroom. Ongoing

· Encourage faculty participation in the State System's Train the Trainer Program or Summer Institutes for Computer Based Courses (CD-ROM), Asynchronous Courses (web-based), or Interactive Distance Learning Courses (interactive compressed video). Ongoing

· Organize technology roundtables to discuss teaching and learning with technology. Ongoing

Objective 3: Support faculty and staff experimentation with technology

Overview: We must support faculty, staff, and students who want to experiment with either new technologies and/or new applications of existing technologies. We want to encourage them to share their experiences and have support for them. We should expect that not all experimentation will be successful and we will assure those who participate that unsuccessful attempts will not result in poor evaluations. Instead we will support further analysis, planning, and attempts to improve outcomes. An assessment process is necessary in order to provide feedback regarding the impact the technology had on student learning.

Implementation Plan:

· Support the acquisition of disciplinary specific software and provide technical support. Ongoing

· Provide incentives for faculty who develop courses using new technologies. Ongoing

· Analyze information obtained from student assessment (surveys, student performance, etc.) Ongoing

Goal 3: Enhance Access to Higher Education

Overview: We believe information technologies can be used to improve access to higher education in two very important and somewhat distinct ways: 1) information technologies can be used to provide geographic access, bringing University programs and services to remote locations and non-resident students 2) all students, distance education students included, should be provided services such as tutoring and access to served software. Ongoing

Objective 1: Expand synchronous audio-video courses

Overview: Mansfield currently uses synchronous video (Pictel and V-Tel) technologies to transmit courses via phone lines to Sayre, Warren, and some regional high schools in the area. Research is necessary to determine future expansion of this technology to meet the needs of Pennsylvania's rural population. Current equipment should be maintained, but new technology should be explored to reduce the costs associated with teleconferencing.

Implementation Plan:

· Maintain the two existing classrooms in Butler and Retan, but consider new technologies for the future due to expense and complexity of equipment. Complete

· Investigate using synchronous video technologies to transmit courses to the Southern Tier of New York and to Harrisburg. Complete

· Include synchronous audio/video capabilities in two of the new Memorial Hall classrooms. Complete

· Research future developments in teleconferencing Ongoing

Objective 2: Support development of online courses

Overview: We should support the development of online courses to increase the market potential of Mansfield throughout the region, country and possibly worldwide. Failure to meet this challenge may cost Mansfield more than just an opportunity to serve new clientele. In order to stay competitive, we need to explore new methods for providing educational opportunities to distance learners.

Implementation Plan:

· Assess learning needs of targeted region, groups, professionals, etc. Ongoing

· Determine curriculum areas that can be successfully taught online. Complete

Proposed course offerings:

General education courses (100-200 level) that would interest many students, i.e., lifelong learners who are interested in initial inquiry and students who could transfer credits to home institution.

Introductory courses in all majors

Graduate level

Courses related to a specific career, i.e., teaching, social work, nursing, etc.

Professional continuing education courses for realtors, police officers, small business owners, secretaries, etc.

· Provide training opportunities for trainers, faculty, and support staff in the use of web course development applications.

· Utilize grant funds to employ students to assist faculty with web course preparation.

· Purchase additional servers for online course delivery

· Support and assist Distance Education staff with the development of web-based marketing for these online courses.

Objective 3: Provide distance education students access to library, counseling, tutoring, advising, and business services.

Overview: All students should be provided the services that allow them to succeed academically at Mansfield University. We believe that information technologies can contribute to a more accessible provision of services to distance learners.

Implementation Plan:

· Develop a computer assisted learning center in South Hall adjacent to Academic and Human Development with a minimum of twenty computers. Complete/Ongoing

· Purchase software for skills assessment, tutorials for general subjects, and specialized programs for specific courses. Complete

· Maintain software on a server that is accessible from all locations on campus and off. Complete

· Publish brochure and web page that outline information technology outcomes for each major and address them within each course. In progress

Goal 4: Enhance productivity through Information Technology

Objective 1: Improve University operations by increasing accessibility to information and equipment

Overview: We need to rethink the processes we use to support students and allow technology to enable us to do things differently. University operations can be improved by allowing students access information services via the Web, increasing network nodes to provide more accessibility to the entire campus, and devising a computer replacement plan to provide better equipment for students and staff.

Implementation Plan:

· Review current services and improve access through the use of the Web. Complete/Ongoing

Proposed Services for Review:

· Admissions – online application and online inquiry for specific information in admissions file

· Advising – degree audit access for student, faculty advisor, Records Department, and Provost’s Office.

· Student Fiscal Accounts – student access to financial accounts

· Online Registration – course availability, registration

· Add/Drop, Course Withdrawal – online forms submission

· When renovating buildings, include network (campus and SSHE), telephone, and cable connectivity in each room Ongoing

· In public areas, provide several connections for portable computer access. Ongoing

· Distribute projection equipment and portable computers to each department for use in classrooms. Eliminated by Classroom Program. See Middle States Review.

· Devise inventory replacement plan for all computer equipment. Establish three-five year replacement cycle dependent on technology needs of end user, specialized lab, or major. To be determined

· Establish reserve fund for the replacement of computer equipment. To be determined

Objective 2: Extend educational opportunities to surrounding region to increase economic development

Overview: Mansfield has always been dedicated to serving the surrounding region by extending educational opportunities to all. The new Information Technology Center will be founded with the goal of providing the community and region with opportunities to learn about technology.

Implementation Plan:

· Develop a plan to extend technology to the region utilizing the Information Technology Center in Memorial Hall. Complete

· Provide workshops and non-credit training sessions that would interest organizations and companies throughout the region. Complete/Ongoing

· Continue to extend library services throughout the region. Complete/Ongoing

· Provide continuing education courses for targeted audiences across the region. Complete/Ongoing

· Allow non-profit organizations to utilize the Information Technology Center. Ongoing

· Assist non-profit organizations with the development of web sites and other software applications. Ongoing

Objective 3: Establish partnerships with K-12 schools districts throughout the region.

Overview: Creating partnerships with school districts provides a link between educators that gives Mansfield an opportunity to assist in the advancement of technology and teacher development. In return, the university has the opportunity to establish itself as a technology leader and potential service provider for future graduates from these districts.

Implementation Plan:

· Use technology to link the University and IU 17 Ongoing

· Analyze the Link to Learn survey to determine the professional development needs of the school districts. Complete

· Share the resources and information Mansfield has with the surrounding school districts. Ongoing

· Provide pre-service and in-service education for teachers and librarians. Ongoing

· Assist school administrators and school board members with technology related decisions and planning. Ongoing

· Encourage K-12 teachers to share knowledge with Mansfield education majors. Ongoing

· Provide Mansfield faculty in departments other than Education the opportunity to interact with discipline based teachers. Ongoing

Goal 5: Enhance communication through Information Technology

Objective: Enhance communication with the University community, the region, State System of Higher Education, and worldwide.

Overview: Communication technologies (e.g., electronic mail, video conferencing, Internet access) provide not only alternative ways to distribute information, but they can change the way that work is accomplished. These technologies make it easy to communicate without constraint of time or location. Our networked infrastructure facilitates this and provides additional opportunity to change the way we do business. We have a significant opportunity to influence the learning environment for our students and for the community.

Implementation Plan:

· Share information via email and web pages. Complete/Ongoing

· Share information databases and services that the State System of Higher Education has developed. Complete/Ongoing

· Share courses and programs with other State System universities via distance education technology. Ongoing

· Form collaborative partnerships to deliver programs to under-served regions. Ongoing

· Invite special guest speakers to teach on campus. Ongoing

· Develop marketing strategies to increase interest in Mansfield University Ongoing

Goal 6: Getting I.T. Done

Overview: In order to accomplish the goals and objectives mentioned above, financial support for increased technical and instructional support staff, hardware, software, and training need to be realized.

Implementation Plans:

· Review current Information Technology structure and increase or reorganize staff where necessary to accomplish goals and objectives. Complete/Ongoing

· Invest in staff training that relates to established objectives. Ongoing

· Acquire administrative support for increased technology spending. Ongoing

· Upgrade network infrastructure to support goals. Ongoing

· Provide updated central structure for Information Technology on campus with the renovation of Memorial Hall. Complete

Staff Development - Implementation to date….

In order for successful integration of technology in the workplace, training opportunities must be provided to all campus employees. We promote “life long learning” as an educational institution and we must encourage our employees to develop technology competencies.

In the fall of 1995, a full-time staff training position was added to the Technical Resources Department. Shortly thereafter staff training was held in a small lab in South Hall. This lab was originally meant for students utilizing Academic Advising resources, but with the constant demand by staff for training in this lab, the need for a designated staff training lab was realized. In the fall of 1998, a new lab was established on the 6^th Floor of North Hall. The Memorial Hall renovation provides additional space.

Training is regularly scheduled for staff and faculty. The training schedule is located at http://it.mnsfld.edu/~acs Individual training is always available upon request and based on campus priorities.

Middle States Plan

Overview: In March 2002, the Middle States evaluation team visited Mansfield University to review the institutional accreditation study and plans for the next ten years of growth. The Middle States Review was a focused study covering Student Learning, Faculty Development, and Technology and Instructional Progress. As such, the focused study replaces the I.T. Technology plan as the Mansfield planning document for Information technology and Instructional Development for the next decade.

http://middlestates.mnsfld.edu/News_and_links/Executive_Summary/executive_summary.html