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Technology and learning collaborative: design and implementation.

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Abstract

The integration of information technology into teaching and learning requires both effective technology support and intensive training. To meet these needs in an academic environment, computer centers and libraries have collaborated both out of necessity and efficiency to match technology and information resources with the needs of faculty and students. This paper describes the design and development of a Technology and Learning Collaborative that builds on the strengths of technology support personnel campus-wide, is supported by the administration, is integrated into the Center for Teaching Excellence, and was implemented without additional personnel or funding.

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The assimilation of technology into our society has transformed the way we communicate in almost every aspect of our lives--personal, business, and learning. Education in general and universities in particular have made monumental adjustments to accommodate technologically induced change and, in fact, are well into the second stage of this process in which technology is a catalyst that is transforming the university itself (Burkle and Sayed, 2002; Roberts and Chambers, 2001; Levine, 2000; Hall, 1993). Campuses are networked, dormitories are connected, faculty post their notes on web pages, students access the library from their rooms day or night, reserves are electronic, and entire classes can have discussions via chat software (Rice-Lively, 2000). Amidst this transformation is the very significant need for professional development of faculty and teachers at all levels "to treat technology not as a new subject but as a way to enhance learning" (Cope and Brewin, 2000). The integration of information technology into teaching and learning requires both effective technology support and intensive training (Cooley and Johnston, 2001).

Information technology (IT) is defined as the development, installation, and implementation of computer systems and applications (American Heritage Dictionary, 2000). Some university campuses have centralized IT while others have implemented a decentralized approach (Katz and Rudy, 1999). Regardless of the process, academic computer centers and libraries have collaborated out of necessity and efficiency in a search for an effective way to match technology and information resources with the needs of faculty and students (Hardesty, 2000). Given the mandate of our President (Dennison, 2002) to "continue the effort ... to serve the needs of the students, faculty, and staff including the renovation of classrooms and laboratories and upgrading the information technology infrastructure," we describe the evolution of a collaboration between an academic computer...

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