While technology is playing a larger role in society overall,
developing a holistic, up-to-date system is particularly critical
in higher education because it offers new avenues to
explore—academically, socially and recreationally. It is becoming
increasingly important in at least three distinct areas:
- Pedagogy
Volume of data
The amount of information/resources available online through
Internet engines and portals enables users to search through large
amounts of materials from library databases around the world.
Therefore, time can be spent more productively analyzing and
synthesizing data rather than just digging for and retrieving
it.
Immediacy and collaboration
Technology-enabled pedagogy allows professors and students to
interact together in real-time with rapidly changing information.
For example, a Constitutional Law class can use online news
resources to discuss the outcomes from a current Supreme Court case
which is too recent to be included in a textbook.
Interactive multi-media
Students and faculty can access a vast array of online
resources, past and present, and can be studied in a dynamic
multi-media application by viewing DVD’s or online content. - Career preparation
Computer skills are necessary for all careers from technology-based
positions to the field of medicine to the fine arts. - Administrative
Student information (financial data, names, addresses, grades,
class schedules, etc.) is readily available in a centralized
system. The ACI program provides students with around-the-clock,
secure access to their personal information. This becomes
increasingly important as the need for student data tracking and
reporting in such areas as financial aid and federal compliance
grows.