Faculty Directions, Fall 2003 - Director's Corner
Carla Rathbone
Educational Technology Services
We are pleased to share with you in this issue some recent changes in the CCIT support structure that address the importance of academic computing in the teaching, learning, research and public service missions of the University. The CLE has been renamed Educational Technology Services (ETS) to reflect the additional services, education, and expanded support for academics and to provide a more centralized, visible unit to address the growing needs for the effective use and integration of technology. I have highlighted some of our new services and projects that will be available this fall:
ETS is conducting a one-year pilot program in the use of three course management systems. Blackboard, WebCT and MyCLE course management tools will all be available this fall from the MyCLE portal. Faculty will have an opportunity to explore the features and functionality of these systems and to use the system that best meets their needs for fall and spring classes. ETS will provide support for faculty, staff and students by administering all three systems. At the end of the pilot year, the Course Management System Task Force, comprised of faculty representatives from all colleges, will recommend that the University support the system that best meets the majority of needs.
ETS supports the technological needs for the University's academic plan that focuses on eight emphasis areas. Various applications enable inter-disciplinary collaboration and communication with global access to information. Also supported by ETS are new and revised curriculum programs and centers, such as the University-wide ePortfolio system and Academic Support Center.
Telecampus, formerly housed in Off-Campus, Distance and Continuing Education, has merged with ETS to better support off-campus students and faculty in distance education technology. ETS is responsible for the instructional design, development, delivery and support of distance education courses. This year, we will explore methodologies and multimedia technologies to best meet the needs of users and expand services.
The Laptop Faculty Development Program continues to expand as the University laptop requirement extends this fall to include two more colleges, with the last one planning to adopt the requirement in 2004. The Provost's office has funded the laptop awards program to support faculty in innovative uses of laptop technologies in teaching and learning. This program explores best practices in laptop pedagogy and provides training and consulting to support faculty.
A major focus for ETS is education of faculty, staff and students in technologies and their applications. CCIT provides a wide array of software support and services such as the University computing portal, MyCLE, with tools and applications for the classroom and workplace, as well as networked user space, personal Web space, and hardware support, including Classroom Technology classrooms, public labs, and wireless capabilities. We continue to offer training programs, consulting, and multimedia resources and services in Web design and development.
We are excited about these changes and our role in academic computing that positions us to better serve you. As always, we welcome your comments and suggestions (please email ETS-L@clemson.edu). And we look forward to working with you this year.