Executive Summary: Aligning the Edges

2005-07-14T09:16:00.000-07:00

Executive Summary for Making the Case

Aligning the Edges: Maximizing the Academy’s Resources

Submitted by The EdgeWalkers (L. Bringelson, B. Knox, B. Reeves, G. Roberts, M. Weaver)

Problem Statement

Currently, our institution is investing resources to support learning and teaching through technology across multiple academic and academic support units. In order to reduce faculty access and confusion issues (with respect to finding appropriate instructional support) and to optimize e-learning content production, it is critical to rethink the use of these resources. This will also allow our institution to proactively address future enhancements and developments for the educational experience.

As of Summer 2005, institutional budget was allocated to provide instructional design and technology services and support in at least eight distinct areas: Schools of Engineering, Arts and Sciences, Departments of Continuing Education, Information Systems, Psychology, and the Teaching and Learning Center, the Innovative Technology Center and the Campus Library.

Proposed Process

Using the following process, it is recommended that a Task Force of representative stakeholders be convened, and report back by May 2006, with the following mandate: maximize the effectiveness of instructional resources for teaching and learning through technology.

· Develop the detailed project plan, including interim milestones and assessment plan;

· Collect information on the current situation on campus including culture and services, benchmark data from peer institutions, needs analysis and best practices from the literature;

· Identify possible solutions, which may include significant organization changes, or systems developing inter-departmental synergies;

· Evaluate the possible solutions against the current and desired states;

· Recommend appropriate changes to achieve the mandate of the Task Force.

Next Steps to Desired State

As suggested by McNaught, Phillips, Rossiter and Winn (2000), there are three factors critical to change in teaching and learning practice: policy (from the top-down), culture (from the bottom-up) and support (infrastructure). This proposal suggests that by appointing a Task Force with appropriate campus stakeholders, the University administration can make an informed decision on cultural and infrastructure changes to increase the effectiveness of resources for teaching and learning through technology. This will facilitate alignment of institutional resources with the University mission:

“To provide an environment where all learners acquire the knowledge and skills to be productive citizens in a diverse, technologically changing global society and life-long learners.”

Making the Case -- Approved topic

2005-07-11T17:16:00.000-07:00

Design a plan for institutional alignment, with respect to pedagogy and technology, to take advantage of potential synergies and responsible stewardship of institutional resources.

What about this as a suggested "working title", :Aligning the edges: Resources for technology and pedagogy"?

May I blog, please?

2005-07-11T13:44:00.000-07:00

This is a practice entry to see if I am able to contribute to the Edgewalkers blog.

Obligatory First Posting - Welcome to the Edge!

2005-07-11T09:36:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Official Blog of the Edgewalkers Team at the Educause ITL 2005 Institute. We are a diverse group of individuals, with a common experience of working "on the edge" in our respective institutions. We have travelled from Maryland (Brenda), Minnesota (Bruce), Pennsylvania (Mike), Ontario (Liwana) and Tennessee (Gina).

We hope to learn many things from this Institute:

Step out of "daily grind" and find ways to get more visionary (Focus on "Important" and don't let the "Urgent" get in the way)
Working more at a system-level
Facilitating change within the context of the institutional values -- How to work subversively