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Strategic Planning

STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE
FOCUS GROUP SUMMARY

DATE: April 13, 1999
TIME: 12:00 noon
PLACE: CMU 208
FACILITATOR: Brittney Chenault
NOTETAKER: Iris Gill

STRATEGIC GOAL: TECHNOLOGY

Q1. Based upon any information you have, how would you assess Moorhead State's performance regarding the technology goal?

  • Problem with technology is that by the time you implement, it's out of date. But MSU is making good stab at it.
  • Lot of improvement in technology within last two years.
  • Some old teaching tools are as effective as new technology. Technology is not always an improvement over old methods. Non-verbal communication skills can't be done by technology.
  • Restructuring a course to put on the web takes a lot of faculty time to implement.
  • Web registration is great and a time saver.
  • Internet access through university from home is impossible -- too slow.
  • There is a problem with getting faculty's computers upgraded. Students get priority.
  • Need more repair of lab computers.
  • Need more repair techs and trainers, more money.
  • MacIntosh computers are not getting adequate support.
  • Education department has had two people funded by one-time Legislature dollars as tech resource people and it has been great.
  • Rhonda Ficek's students are very helpful.
  • Greatest area needing improvement is training for technology. It would be a great time saver to get training rather than trying to figure it out oneself.
  • Need software manuals/documentation.

Q2. How could use of new technologies at MSU be improved for instruction and learning?

  • Need backup or resource person to help out in setting up technology uses in classroom.
  • Need more time to work on uses of technology.
  • Require new entering students to have a laptop.
  • We should be focusing on distance learning.
  1. Should we keep Technology as a goal?
  • Needs to be goal because we need to keep up with the competition.
  • Technology should be integrated into every goal. It is a key part of our base infrastructure rather than a strategic goal.
  • Danger of going too far into teaching by technology.
  • It should be stated in the goal that technology is not just computers. There are areas other than computer technology that should be considered (i.e. graphics arts equipment, mass communication equipment, music equipment).
  1. Should any goals be eliminated?
    No.
  1. Any new goals that should be considered?
  • Staff support is really needed.
  • People do pieces so we don't know who to call when we have questions.
  • Maybe Recruitment and Retention of Students should be a goal of its own.
  • MSU can't be best in everything. Make choice of what we should excel in.
  • Develop partnerships with businesses. Contact our alumni that are in business.
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