DATE: April 6, 1999
TIME:  3:00 pm
PLACE: CMU 208
FACILITATOR: Brittney Chenault
NOTE-TAKER: Melanie Nordick

STRATEGIC GOAL: TECHNOLOGY

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

Great improvement has been made in the area of computers; however, the technology needs to move beyond computers themselves into the area of application programs and more. MSU needs to make a commitment to put replacement & continual upgrading of computers into the operating budgets now that we have come this far. Additionally, as we progress in stages, those stages need to be incorporated into the operating budget until such time as this "goal" has been reached and is an on-going part of our every-day lives.

The WEB page is good; however, departments need to be aware of just HOW important it is. This is the first impression many students receive of MSU & the department itself.           

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

Since the "computer" part of this goal is in pretty good shape, we need to look beyond to digital camera, video cameras, scanners and other peripherals.

The WEB page use could be expanded as more faculty members become literate in its use to the point of putting quizzes/tests on the WEB. The test could be corrected immediately and the student knows the score. This would mean less paper & printing costs so eventually more could be invested in technology.

While the "Smart Board" works for many in the classroom, it does not work for all. Because of the infinite amount of new pieces of technology coming on the market, there needs to be careful evaluation & perhaps a centralization for careful selection and purchase of new equipment.

3. What barriers exist regarding the effective use of new technologies at MSU?

The lack of a specific software for the entire campus-too often hours are spent in translating documents sent between offices because of incompatibility - set campus standards for software.

Some felt putting class notes on the WEB would give students a license to cut class.  

4. How would MSU excel to a greater extent in terms of using computers?

If this goal is retained, it needs to be defined. We need a long-range campus plan which looks beyond computers including a training component, distance learning, and accessing Internet from homes. We need outside expertise for a comprehensive technologies plan for the university not because we are incapable of doing it, but because of the time requirements.

The WEB would be a good place to place graduation rules & standards which is a major change in instruction and the law - it is not going away.

5. How could MSU excel to a greater extent in terms of using the Internet?

"Older than average" will be better served through use of the Internet and our WEB pages. In fact, we will see more & more students who have received credits from accredited colleges on the Internet - the first one is from Colorado and was accredited in March 99.

6. How could MSU excel to a greater extent in terms of using multimedia presentations?

7a. Looking at the existing goals, is there one that could be dropped, that is less important? Why?

Technology no longer needs to be a strategic goal, but is so important it cannot be just dropped. It needs to become a regular, planned, funded, structured, routinely important & visible part of the university base. Technology, in this day and age, needs to be a "given". Technologies should be a means to achieving other goals, the most important being quality.

Quality should be the defining thing. The most important facet of quality is in the instruction in the classroom. Over the next 10 years, many faculty will be retiring. There is a need to plan and to evaluate and attract high quality people (not necessarily PhD?s - that one standard does not equal quality by itself. There need to be additional standards by which to judge a candidate. While PhD may look good when perusing a list of faculty, an otherwise good candidate should never be disqualified because of lack of PhD). Students need to feel comfortable asking questions in order to learn in the classroom and a quality instructor should be able to provide that. Instructors need to be student-friendly and know there are many learning styles and accommodate them as best as can be done in their own setting. Quality should be an overall purpose, not a goal.

Move "quality" out of goals and "up" a level - part of our "mission".

Our goals, as they stand now, are too vague. We should become more focused in priorities and goals.

7b. If you were to identify a new strategic goal for MSU, what would it be and why?

To develop assessment programs and make them specific.

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