Members present: Marty Aylesworth, Kim Carter, Lorraine Durrill, Jay Guruswamy, Doris Hendrickson, Betsy Little, Coreen Mett, Mike Packer, Jim Ross, Warren Self, Jennifer Spoon, Lee Stewart, Craig Waggaman
The entire meeting was focused on the support for classroom teaching tools, from chalk and overheads to electronics. After careful discussion detailing the problems, an important question was addressed: are we hoping to fix mistakes, prevent problems, or solve problems? The most important issue seemed to be centered on providing the best possible teaching and learning environment with the current constraints.
The proposed solution is that maintenance of classroom equipment be centralized under the direction of facilities management. They currently do an outstanding job of keeping buildings and grounds in top condition, and could well extend their expertise to classroom equipment such as TV monitors, screens, darkening shades, chairs, and overhead projectors. The CTE office will draft a letter to Charles King, offering this proposal (after TAC review of a draft).
The matter of 18 classrooms being furnished (via Equipment Trust Funds) with TV monitors, VCRs, high-end overhead projectors, and LCD panels came into discussion, with regard to location and management. It was noted ITRAC needs to be given the opportunity to coordinate university-wide planning of classroom equipment such as this. Regarding Equipment Trust Funds, it also is recommended that ITRAC design a proposal for future ETF allocations, based on needs that are current priorities.
Other discussion involved Dr. Covington's 8 priorities and how teaching and learning with technology fit into current plans. The concern over support of technology was raised. Although funds are supplied for purchase of computers and labs are being upgraded, staff support lags behind considerably. Capable and helpful experts are unable to keep up with increasing demands. One proposal is that department or area liaisons be determined. These local experts can work closely with Academic Computing staff to help with the workload, both in trouble shooting and in distributing upgrades such as the new Pathways network software. The question was raised about what a faculty member gives up when he or she adds the assignment of departmental computer expert. In response, the group decided that this liaison network should be recognized as a university service, and should be recommended only as a temporary solution. This suggestion will be relayed to ITR for implementation.
An additional suggestion was that all new equipment be purchased with a 3-year warranty. When some questioned whether this was possible with ETF, we were assured that it had been done successfully last year.
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© Coreen Mett, Radford University