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The University of Nebraska Technology Plan: 1996-1997 is a comprehensive document. The impetus for the plan was to propose several computer related initiatives for the FY 97-99 Biennium and beyond. It is hoped that these initiatives will help the university succeed in dealing with the challenges and changes facing higher education in the future. These initiatives include:
- Enhancing Access and Opportunities for Learning
- Educational computing (enhance communications between faculty and students)
- Academic computing (replacing and upgrading instructional equipment
- Build on Nebraskas national leadership in distance education
- Strengthening Nebraska's Economic Competitiveness
- Strengthening the College of Information Science and Technology
- Expanding engineering programs in Omaha and statewide
- Computing Infrastructure
- Establishing a standards based information technology architecture with a high speed scaleable
network to support academic, administrative and clinical systems
The first section of this technology plan outlines the structure of the University of Nebraska, the state's largest pubic university with four campuses located throughout the state. This section of the plan also describes the mission, values and goals for the university system. These elements drive the technology plan and decisions.
In addition to the Executive Summary and the section reviewing the mission/values/goals there are three sections. These include:
- Section 1: Current Technology Use
- Section 2: Long-range Technology Plans
- Section 3: Planned Development (FY97-99 Biennium)
It is of particular interest that these sections all address seven areas. These areas give the reader a clear picture of the status of hardware and software; the costs and risks for the institution; current or possible external collaborations; and adherence to standards and guidelines. These components include:
- a list of hardware, operating systems and networks available at the university
- a list of software applications (current, or long-range)
- currently and projected databases to be supported
- a description of staffing
- a statement on the value of the technology to the agency (the University of Nebraska as an institution)
- information on the costs associated with the technology (current, or long-range)
- an assessment of the risk to the institution (current, or long-range)
- a description of collaborations with external entities, including local, state, federal and private organizations
- an explanation of the relationship to established standards and guidelines
The plan offers an extensive review of the university's current hardware, software operating systems and networks. It provides a solid look at the state of technology at the University of Nebraska. With this focus, the technology plan is on hardware and software infrastructure (current and future) and thus did not include data or information on student outcomes and methods of assessment.
In evaluating the plan I would say that it is a very thorough look at the current status and future needs for technology at the University of Nebraska. Having the common elements (hardware, software, data bases, staffing, value to institution, cost, risk, collaboration and guidelines) give structure and rationale for planning. It might be helpful for us to think about common areas or elements to include as we look at current status and future planning. The plan is very comprehensive. However, the high level of detail found in the plan, while very helpful, would result in increased costs (in both money and time). We probably would not need to go for this much depth to reach our goals for instructional technology plans. |
