Learning Resources

Abstract: Sustainable Accommodation for the New Economy (SANE), a two-year research program funded by the European Commission, considers the impact of the new economy on people, process, place, and technology to identify new ways of accommodating work. Its focus is on the creation of sustainable, collaborative workplaces for knowledge workers across Europe, encompassing both virtual and physical spaces. This article outlines major trends in the use of physical facilities in higher education, presents the initial space environment concepts developed as part of the SANE project, and discusses their implications for the corporate workplace. The increasing implementation of distributed workplace models in the corporate sector will provide major opportunities for academic institutions.

Abstract: Semester conversion. New academic year calendar. New capital plan. New facilities delivery. Just one of these events can present a campus with challenges. But when they all occur basically at the same time, the potential for disaster looms large. When it faced these changes within a two-year period, 1999–2001, LaGrange College needed “triage.” This article addresses how the college organized, planned, and implemented these changes. It also addresses the errors that occurred and the ways the errors were corrected.

Abstract: Information technology strategic planning is a top priority for higher education throughout the United States. Associated with IT planning are many concerns that cause institutions to struggle with planning, ranging from selecting participants to alignment with institutional goals. However, before these concerns can be fully addressed, a fundamental question must be answered. Differences, advantages, and risks are explored between an approach that begins with infrastructure and applications versus a broader planning approach that focuses on what the institution wants to do with technology. In addition, five critical success factors for and eight benefits of using a strategic macro-level approach are identified.

Abstract: Educational technology units must continually monitor their strategic plans to ensure that they are aligned with the evolving realities of their institutions. Strategic dissonance occurs when previously successful strategies are no longer achieving the same results. This article uses the Virtual Retina project as an example of strategic dissonance for the Academic Technologies for Learning at the University of Alberta. A number of methods for analyzing the strategies used by educational technology units are presented. These methods provide a means for units within institutions of higher education to conduct the ongoing task of renewing their strategic plans.

Abstract: Performance reporting is now the preferred approach to state accountability for public higher education. This article analyzes the performance indicators used in 29 states; categorizes the 158 generic indicators by type, concern, policy value, and model of excellence; compares them to the measures used in performance funding; and notes where the reporting indicators track or trail current state policy issues. The authors suggest that indicators used in the statewide, system, and institutional performance reports are often uncoordinated and recommend that campus planners ensure that institutional reports include relevant data on department results that contribute to campus, system, and state success on critical indicators.