In the world of ever increasing advancements in technology, many would believe that all educational institutions are keeping up with the movement. However, some may find it shocking to know there are some institutions that may not have caught onto the wave. Then there are some who may have joined in the movement but may not have planned for any updates, upgrades or changes. There are a number of things to consider when determining technology needs for any organization or educational institution, and planning would be the initial step.
In the higher ed, there are a number of institutions that have embraced technology and have a variety of uses of technology throughout their campuses. From the admissions, registration and financial add process to attending class and completing coursework online, the college experience is now more technologically advanced. So what does an institution whose technology that does not expand into the learning environment implement an online program? There are software applications that professors use to instruct within their individual classrooms but the technology is not there for overall online learning. This is where the initial step of planning for technology comes into play.
Currently, my institution does not have an online learning environment. Many of our students have often asked do we offer an online courses, or can they complete their coursework or testing online. Our response is usually, "I'm sorry, but at this time we do not offer online courses". So how does an institution began to plan for instructional technology? How do we go about creating a technology plan? What type of technology do we use? Where do we start?
Picciano (2011), says "numerous books, articles and guides have been written on how to plan" for technology (p.15), and these resources can be used as a tool to assist our institution in starting a technology plan. On our campus there are many experts of different backgrounds that have conducted a 'meeting of the minds' so to speak, to decide how to move forward and develop a plan to implement an online program. Although I am not apart of the committee, I am very interested in being apart of the process and begin to create, develop and implement an online learning program.
According the the National Center for Technology Planning, Mississippi State University, a technology planning committee must be established first. "This committee must represent every aspect of the school community--teachers, administrators, staff, business leaders, civic leaders, homemakers, and, yes, students" (Anderson & Perry, Jr., 1994) As we begin our quest into the development of an online program, we must ensure that we communicate the goals of the committee and the members are able to collaborate and develop an effective technology plan based on assessments of the educational needs of students and how the institution can address those needs while at the same time providing robust and advanced technology.
Some additional resources to review as the first stage of development begins:
http://cei.umn.edu/support-services/online-learning/developing-online-programs
http://www.cincinnatistate.edu/online/faculty-resources/Tips%20for%20developing%20a%20distance%20learning%20program.pdf
Anderson, L. S., & Perry, Jr., J. F. (1994, March). Technology Planning: Recipe for Success. , (), . Retrieved from http://www.nctp.com/tp.recipe.html
Picciano, A. (2011). Educational Leadership and Planning for Technology (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson
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