Beyond Early Adopter to Full Integration of Technology in the Curriculum

Abstract

The core business of higher education -- teaching, scholarship and research -- is grounded in academic units (departments, schools and colleges) and is provided by a single resource -- the faculty. Direct faculty involvement will determine institutions' success in offering appropriate technology-enhanced learning experiences to students and in managing the ever growing needs for infrastructure, resources and support. "Achieving Unit Level Vision and Commitment" was implemented by the University of Colorado to encourage academic units to undertake a systematic planning process that will stimulate several outcomes: the engagement of more faculty, opportunities for collaborative development and use of technology-based learning resources, a coherent plan for determining the appropriate fit of technology within the overall curriculum, and recognition of the needed equipment, support and training resources to support faculty and students. One anticipated byproduct is that units will better understand the "total cost of ownership" of a technology-enhanced curriculum.