EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology. Membership is open to institutions of higher education, corporations serving the higher education information technology market, and other related associations and organizations.
EDUCAUSE has formulated a Guide to Evaluating Information Technology on Campus. It is designed to help you ask the right questions to match your educational and social needs and financial capabilities with the resources available at the colleges and universities on your "short" list. In a knowledge-driven era, higher education is essential and information technologies, resources, and services will enrich your educational experience.
We duplicate the 4 sections of that guide here with answers:
Academic Experience
A college campus is a learning community that is devoted to the creation, dissemination, and codification of information and knowledge. Teaching, learning, and accessing information are all critical functions that are potentially enhanced by digital technologies. It is important to understand how technology is used in classes generally, and especially in your areas of interest or major, and the extent to which faculty use these technologies in interactions with students.
What percentage of campus courses use electronic information to enhance the course (for example, syllabi, reading lists, discussion groups, demonstrations)?
Over 80%. Williams has over 25 electronic classrooms, where faculty can project computer applications. These range from interactive demos to streaming videos over the web. Many faculty supplement their print material with current information and statistics available over the web.
25% of the courses at Williams contains a Blackboard component. After a successful pilot last year, we are offering Blackboard as an official service to faculty this year. Blackboard allows faculty to place their course materials (syllabus, reading, pictures, etc) online quickly and easily. It also features online discussion and email groups that facilitate dialogue between the students and the instructor. Some of the Faculty have also developed their own websites to complement and enhance their courses.
Are technology resources available, used effectively to enhance the learning experience, and designed to prepare graduates in your major for successful technology use in their careers?
Yes, we have a variety of technology resources that enhance learning in the classroom:
- Media labs with high-quality video and sound editing stations
- Hundreds of department-specific software packages that provide students with hands-on training
- High-speed internet connections in every building.
Through a wide range of exposure to technology, we hope to enhance the College's mission of providing an excellent liberal arts education.
What library resources are available online (catalog, databases, special collections)?
We have a wide variety of library resources online:
- the library catalog
- over 80 different indexes and abstracts
- over 700 full-text scholarly journals
- guides and some text for archival materials
- guides to library resources by discipline
- online forms for requesting new acquisitions and Interlibrary Loan materials
- online "Ask a Librarian" service to respond to remote questions
What electronic reference materials are licensed and how accessible are they from outside the library (for example, in the residence halls or off-campus)?
All the resources mentioned in the previous question are available from individual computers in the dorms, public computer labs, and faculty offices. A proxy server provides access for authorized users to ALL online resources from off-campus.
How does the campus help students develop computer skills?
The Williams curriculum develops computer skills through assignments, projects, and laboratory experiements. In addition, the Office for Information Technology offers computing workshops on a variety of computer topics throughout the year. We also provide Element K, a web training service that available anytime, anywhere.
Does the campus allow students to receive credit for courses taken electronically from other sources?
No. The Committee on Academic Standing believes that personal interaction with other students and the professor are essential components of courses at Williams. If those elements are not included in a course, it is not equivalent to a Williams course.
Does the campus have a specific computer/IT competency requirement for all undergraduates?
No. Williams recommends that students aquire computer/IT competency before graduation, but does not require it. The Committee on Educational Policy hopes that advisors will play an active role in bringing these competencies to the attention of students and encouraging them to obtain these competencies during their time at Williams.
Are course reserves and other materials available online/via the Web site?
Yes. The Libraries offer some course reserves electronically, and any course that takes advantage of Blackboard will have material available through the web.
What percentage of faculty has a networked computer available to them?
100%. All faculty (including visiting) are provided with networked computers. Some faculty with special needs have more than one machine.
What percentage of faculty use e-mail regularly?
100%. Email use is ubiquitous on campus.
