ITS Faculty Summit Produces Open Discussion on Campus Technology
August 30, 2007
On Thursday, July 12, 2007, Brian Roberts, CIO and Vice President for Information Technology, hosted the first Information Technology Services (ITS) Faculty Summit. The informal, conversational gathering of close to 35 representative faculty members focused on openly discussing technology issues here at the university. The conversation covered what’s working, what needs improvement, and what innovations would make a difference for faculty in their teaching, research and professional endeavors.
During the two hour summit, representatives from ITS met with small groups of faculty to listen and record thoughts, ideas and comments on topics ranging from classroom technology to IT governance. Though ITS products and services featured prominently in the discussion, Roberts encouraged faculty to voice broader concerns and discuss issues related more generally to technology on campus as well.
Highlights from the Faculty Summit
Although the summit covered a broad range of topics, several core threads emerged. Here are some brief highlights:
- Blackboard – Many faculty members wondered if this is the right tool for the job. The user interface is seen as too complicated, and there are too many options, which add to this complexity.
- Classroom Technology – Technology is inconsistent in classrooms across campus. Faculty want to be involved in designing the systems and software they use when they are teaching.
- Customer Service/Support – Classroom assistance, computer help, research assistance and training are all important. Many faculty are unsure where they can go for help and expressed a desire for clearer channels of communication about the services available to them.
- Web Publishing – Faculty Web sites are an important means of publishing research findings and are increasingly factored into national rankings. Training and assistance would help faculty in promoting the work they are doing to larger audiences.
- Governance – Faculty want to participate in decisions that directly impact them such as classroom technology, and teaching and learning tools. The summit itself was cited as a good means for faculty to provide Roberts, and ITS, with feedback on the IT decision-making process on campus.
- Other opportunities for ITS –ITS can make it easier for faculty to collaborate across universities, provide a wiki service, and continue to foster improved communications and greater customer advocacy.
To learn more, download the full report.
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