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Information Technology Strategic Plan

Related Links Background Communications Current State Future State Gap Analysis Annual Achievement Report Academic Plan Leadership Agenda

Contents  IT Strategic Plan (pdf)  Overview  Message from the CIO  Executive Summary  Ohio State's Information Technology Vision  What Ohio State Needs: Critical Success Factors  Strategic Initiative: Learning Environments  Implementation  Conclusion  Appendix A: Project Participants  Appendix B: The Planning Process  Appendix C: Current State Analysis Details  Appendix D: Current State and Academic Plan  Appendix E: Technology Days Details  Appendix F: Focus Group Discussion Details  Appendix G: Future State Emerging Themes  Appendix H: Gap Analysis Details  Appendix I: Strategic Initiatives Details  Appendix J: Strategic Initiatives Funding

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Learning Environments  Strategic Initiative

 Summary
 Full Description
 Benefits
 Proposed Leadership
 Metrics
 Estimated Investments/Potential Funding
 Recent Actions
 List of Strategic Initiatives

Summary
As of winter 2004, approximately 25% of the pool classrooms were technology-enhanced. The university should increase the number of the university’s technology-enabled classrooms by seven rooms per year over the next five years. Upgrades must take into consideration current pedagogical directions that lead to new design guidelines for concepts such as studio classrooms; issues such as compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); and the emerging needs for reconfigurable learning environments, lighting, window treatments, equipment noise levels, and easy-to use environmental controls. Once these goals are met, the Classroom Pool will better function as an effective teaching and learning tool. The university also needs to give attention to the classrooms managed by academic departments. Although improvements to both the classroom pool rooms and department classrooms are critical, it is important to think beyond the walls of the traditional classroom for learning environments of the future. To be sure, technology, such as wireless technology, enables instruction to occur almost anywhere. Therefore, the focus of this initiative will continue to broaden as our possibilities for learning environments broaden.

Full Description

Part 1 - Develop and implement new learning-driven design and maintenance guidelines for university classrooms, both pool and departmental classrooms.

Part 2 - Increase the university’s technology-enabled classroom inventory by seven rooms per year over the next five years to increase support for modern technology enhanced learning.

The success of the Academic Plan depends in part on the university’s instructional infrastructure. This initiative includes the specific directive to improve support for modern technology enhanced learning by increasing the university’s technology-enabled classroom inventory by seven rooms per year over the next five years. The university can best do this by first developing and implementing new learning-driven design and maintenance guidelines for pool and departmental classrooms. A review of central classroom infrastructure in light of current pedagogical directions will lead to new design guidelines, which must recognize concepts such as studio classrooms and issues such as compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the emerging need for reconfigurable learning environments, lighting, window treatments, equipment noise levels, and easy-to use environmental controls.

With appropriate preparation and guidelines, the university can be more confident in equipping classrooms with the tools for technology-enhanced learning that are a critical part of a modern infrastructure. As of Winter 2004, approximately 25% of the pool classrooms were technology-enhanced. This initiative calls for 35 newly equipped technology classrooms to be added to the university’s inventory. As more of these become operational, instructors in hundreds of additional courses will have the facilities to reach thousands of students by employing technology resources and eLearning techniques in daily class work. Classroom enhancements include capable computing equipment with appropriate software, reliable high-speed wired and wireless network connections, high-quality digital media and projection equipment, and quick access to technical support. Once these goals are met, the Classroom Pool will better function as an effective teaching and learning tool. Although improvements to both the classroom pool and department classrooms are critical, it is important to think beyond the walls of the traditional classroom to future learning environments. Innovations such as wireless technology enable instruction to occur almost anywhere. Therefore, the focus of this initiative will continue to broaden along with possibilities for learning environments.

Benefits

• Enables students and faculty to enjoy enhanced eLearning capabilities
• Improves teaching flexibility
• Provides better ergonomics and core learning elements such as the ability to effectively see, hear and feel comfortable
• Enables better peer-to-peer academic interaction
• Enables move beyond lecture/presentation classroom models (where appropriate) and toward a wireless campus
• Improves faculty working environment and student experience
• Instills institutional pride in meeting the proviso of the Academic Plan calling for Ohio State to equal or surpass its benchmark institutions in the use of technology for teaching, learning, research and overall effectiveness

Proposed Leadership

• Office of Academic Affairs
• - Chief Information Officer
• Office of Business and Finance
• Classroom Readiness Committee
• Office of Disability Services
• Colleges/Regionals

Metrics

• Number of technology classrooms added or upgraded
• Percentage of rooms that meet minimum design guidelines

Estimated Investments/Potential Funding

• Up to $100,000 per classroom, more for large auditoriums
• New central funds

Recent Actions

• CIO received $213,500 annual funding and $250,000 cash from FY04 Technology Tuition Funds to enhance learning environments
• The university provided $857,000 in Regents’ funding during this biennium to upgrade classrooms, student computing centers, and instructional technology equipment
• Requested for FY05: $486,000 annual funding and $530,000 cash

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