Tulsa Community College Information Strategic Technology Plan 1: Introduction This Strategic Plan describes Tulsa Community College s commitment to excel in the use of information technology to accomplish its institutional mission. It aims to strengthen IT capabilities through a comprehensive program of development that is closely aligned with TCC s vision and values. It is innovative, flexible, and affordable. It enables TCC to use technology effectively to support all its activities and also to distinguish itself as a leader in education. The cultural, economic, and social environments in which TCC lives are dynamic; information technology is essential for meeting the challenges of growth and change in these fields. Because information technology touches every aspect of TCC s life, this Strategic Plan depends on the participation of many members of the institution s community. The translation of its goals into tangible accomplishments will engage staff, faculty, and students. TCC encourages them to know this plan and to play a part in bringing it about. 1.1: Elements of the IT Plan The Information Technology Strategic Plan has several key components. Services for students today can only be met with the assistance of information and modes of delivery made possible by technology. TCC s community in its local, regional, and global dimensions is growing in size and in demographic diversity. The quality of individualized service is essential to the plan s success; every relationship and transaction needs to be governed by the vision and values of TCC, and an increasing proportion of those interactions are destined to be mediated by technology. The academic mission already depends heavily on information technology. Today nearly all knowledge is generated and transmitted with an assist from technology. Virtually all of the academic and professional disciplines that figure in the TCC curriculum also incorporate technology in fundamental ways: information storage and retrieval, design, writing and editing, calculation, modeling and forecasting, or control of complex technical systems. The academic mission of TCC reaches the far parts of the globe. It also reaches students at various times and places in the course of a day, given the variety of ways that they connect with the institution. Management of TCC is increasingly improved and transformed through engagement with information technology. The institution is large and complex. It seeks standards of unity and consistency while respecting the particular needs of its varied units and community. IT is ideally suited to assist TCC in meeting the challenges of providing comprehensive, effective, and Tulsa Community College Strategic Technology Plan Page 1
efficient services to suit many needs. TCC is committed to making data-informed decisions, assessing its own performance, maximizing the security of individuals and information, and assuring the synergy of its various initiatives. These are all objectives that rely on strong information systems and processes. Technology itself is a key topic of planning. Information systems hardware, software, data, and human skills are complex and expensive. They cannot be implemented without the highest degree of institutional planning and coordination. The consequences of their success or failure are too wide-ranging to be omitted from the core planning and management activities of TCC. Communications, administrative tools, instructional modalities, library resources, student, faculty, and staff recruitment and retention, community and industry partnerships, and educational assessment are examples of mission-critical needs that depend on technology. Options and opportunities in technology evolve quickly; TCC needs to assess them and to make technology choices and implementations with confidence and agility. 1.2: Accomplishing the Plan The Information Technology Strategic Plan will be fulfilled and its results communicated in accordance with the vision and values of the institution. Responsibilities for components of the plan will be clearly assigned. Plans will be staged to match funding. Benchmarks and reports will be used to assess the progress of the plan s elements. Appropriate committees and assigned administrators will monitor the plan s progress and make necessary adjustments to it. 1.3: Mission and vision The mission of information technology is twofold. IT promotes the effectiveness and efficiency of TCC s work to fulfill its engagement in teaching, learning, and its commitment to innovative, flexible, and affordable public higher education. IT also provides opportunities to innovate and transform the life of the institution, to respond to changing conditions in the social, cultural, and economic environments in which TCC exists. The vision for information technology is to excel in the use of technology for TCC s strategic purposes and to distinguish the institution as a leader in IT in public higher education. The Information Technology Council developed the following vision for technology at TCC: Our Shared Vision Learning-based education through technology without barriers, 24/7 for student, staff & faculty Communicate the benefits of technology and provide training to enhance (maximize) programs and services Tulsa Community College Strategic Technology Plan Page 2
Build community through our ability to communicate, collaborate, and provide instruction internally and externally Simple, intuitive use of technology with one system for college-wide users including email, calendar, news, equipment ordering system Better use of resources to improve the quality and safety of the workplace through ergonomics, smart buildings, and other technology innovations TCC will continue to explore innovations in technology to enhance student success Marketing TCC internationally by using voice-activated language translation Think green, including recycling of technology or disposing of it in an environmentallyfriendly manner Develop an emergency operations plan employing identify management through connectivity, using handheld devices, access control and similar equipment to create an affordable and safe environment for students, faculty and staff Integrate, seamless, paperless systems accessing and producing data, virtual reports, e- portfolios, and information for employees, students and community 24/7 with continuous analysis update Have the tools to educate and communicate anywhere in the world with a variety of platforms/media (satellite, audio ) 1.4: Communicating the Plan The Information Technology Strategic Plan will be published in various formats, including the TCC web site. It will be communicated to the TCC community through various meeting forums and communication channels. Briefings on the Plan will be conducted in regular and ad hoc discussion forums. An annual Program Plan document will be issued to give details on each year s objectives. Annual reports will document the progress of the Plan. Tulsa Community College Strategic Technology Plan Page 3
2: Elements of the plan Each of the major plan elements has its own set of objectives, processes, time lines, and technologies. Though they all rely on the participation of the IT department s leadership and staff, each involves also various members of the TCC community. 2.1: Services for students Tulsa Community College enrolls [number] students per year. This number is expected to grow by 25% in the coming years. The demographic range of TCC students is also increasing, in the Tulsa region and the world community. Education has become a lifelong activity, whether for academic degrees, professional certifications, or ongoing personal development. TCC will need to extend its services for students to accommodate the growing and changes needs of the population it serves. 2.1.1: Lifecycle tracking TCC will expand its capability to provide services for students in all phases of their relationship with the institution, from first contact through enrollments that span many years and different programs. Data gathered in the course of tracking will be used to develop services and educational programs to serve the needs of students and to inform them about new opportunities at TCC. The capabilities of the Banner enterprise resource planning (ERP) system will need to be fully exploited to support lifecycle tracking. Information from various other information systems [Hobsons, XAP, in-house developed systems, etc.], will be used to supplement TCC s understanding of the activities, choices, and needs of its students. TCC has the capacity to build Oracle applications and will utilize Oracle as its primary database foundation. 2.1.2: Self service The standards of customer service rapidly evolving in commercial, governmental, and educational settings clearly indicate the need for self-service options at TCC. The busy lives of students require that routine interactions with the institution be convenient, timely, and accurate. Several technologies will grow in importance as TCC meets the need for self-service for students (and for faculty and staff). Web interfaces for administrative information systems will need to be further developed. Electronic payment and voice response telephone capabilities will contribute to easier interactions with administrative offices. Many of the services of TCC will need to be available 24 x 7 and will need to be automated, particularly for evening and weekend hours. Tulsa Community College Strategic Technology Plan Page 4
2.2: Academic mission Tulsa Community College will also evolve its academic programs and support capabilities to meet the changing needs of the communities it serves. Classroom instruction will continue to be the mainstay of the institution. Faculty will have the technologies and training needed to deliver the highest quality of instruction. E-learning will grow significantly for TCC s local, national, and international students. 2.2.1: Development of unique content Specific educational content is vital for the success of TCC s academic programs. In the information age, instructional resources are an ever-growing challenge for faculty: the rapid growth of knowledge and the development of new fields of study and new professions creates a constant need gather and evaluate information and to create new instructional content. Information technology is increasingly essential to development of new and unique content. TCC intends to excel in this form of support for its academic mission. 2.2.1.1: Center for Creativity The new Center for Creativity (anticipated to open in [2009]) will be an important resource for the creation of excellent and distinctive for classroom and Internet/online courses. TCC will be able to optimize the Center for Creativity by developing a model information technology environment that utilizes green technology as well as energy savings. 2.2.1.2 Distance Learning Telecourses and Interactive Television (ITV) will grow in importance and numbers in order to reach larger numbers of students. Production facilities, classroom technology, and faculty and support staff skills will all need to be expanded to enable the extension of educational reach that TCC will require in the coming years. 2.2.2: Preservation and management of content Information technology systems will also need to provide new means to preserve and manage the content that feeds the academic curriculum. The Blackboard learning management system (LMS) will continue to assist faculty and students in the management of instructional content. Various electronic systems and information sources managed by the Learning Resources Center will be vital for support of learning through their preservation, management, and delivery of curricular content and research resources. Expanded use of more creative and innovative technologies (like Wimba) must be exploited to maintain the leadership position. In addition, TCC must continue its pursuit of becoming accessible to all students through the use of technology. 2.2.3: Accountability Public expectations and the requirements accrediting and governmental bodies clearly indicate the need to demonstrate the effectiveness of TCC s programs and the success of its students. Tulsa Community College Strategic Technology Plan Page 5
Testing and evaluation of students is essential for meeting the need provide evidence of success. TCC will also need to expand its ability to study learning outcomes in order to develop its academic programs and supports. The increasing importance of knowledge-based work in the regional and national economy will continue to create needs for in-service training in many professions. These academic programs will frequently lead to the issuance of credentials vital for professional advancement. TCC will need to track student progress towards these credentials, using its student records system and portfolio systems for instances where practical experience needs to be documented. Information technology will play a key role in ensuring accountability for educational outcomes. 2.2.4: Outreach Tulsa Community College will use information technology to extend its reach to regional, national, and international student populations. It is a reality of current higher education that many institutions are competing to serve these students. TCC s ability to market its educational offerings and deliver instruction in its Tulsa classrooms and via distance-bridging technologies will be fundamental to its success as an institution in the coming years. Development of ties to international students and educational institutions will depend squarely on TCC s ability to develop technological supports for outreach. Classroom exchanges encounters between Tulsa and international students via telecommunications technologies hold significant advantages for building educational relationships and for enriching instruction. TCC will need to explore technologies appropriate to make these connections, bearing in mind its own resources and capabilities and those of its educational partners. Tools for international education will depend on adherence to technical standards that TCC will need to factor into its plans. 2.3: Management of the institution Information technology is also an essential support for managing the institution, providing facts and enabling insights to inform good decisions. Administrators at all levels of TCC need access to standard reports and dashboards in order to monitor the functioning the enterprise. They also need to forecast and plan based on the best information. 2.3.1: Unity and growth TCC is committed to the unification of its campuses, programs, and services. The basic goal is to provide a consistently high quality of experience and a distinct standard of excellence. It is also important to consolidate processes and realize operating efficiencies throughout the institution. Information technology will assist in building community, opening new opportunities to coordinate work and forge a strong identity for TCC. Tulsa Community College Strategic Technology Plan Page 6
2.3.1.1: Synergy among technical initiatives and programs TCC encourages the sharing of plans and information so that initiatives and programs develop in synergy. The complexity and wide extent of many IT projects require that plans be well coordinated to have the best combined effects and to be realistic in scope. 2.3.1.2: Equality of access to information across TCC Information technology provides the basis for wide access to information. Data and voice communications networks, databases, and access interfaces are the key components of an information infrastructure available anytime and anywhere for the TCC community. 2.3.1.3: Diffusion of knowledge At the core of TCC s mission is the diffusion of knowledge. The academic programs are conduits for the advancement of learning, transmitting information in quantities and variety inconceivable only a few years ago. Students and faculty depend on the constant and ubiquitous flow of information. The institution is also an information resource for communities it serves. It is a cultural and intellectual center whose accessibility is enhanced by information technology. 2.3.2: Business intelligence Administrative work is no less dependent on the sharing of facts, experience, plans, and developments. TCC will store and make use of information generated in the course of its work. It will develop a data warehouse and will derive from it the data to make informed decisions and to enable agile responses to changing conditions. 2.3.3: Promotion of safety The safety of people and property is a top priority for TCC. Physical security can be enhanced through technological means, including surveillance of facilities, communications between the institution and its community, and coordination among those whose work assures the safety of others. TCC will continue development of its capabilities to communicate in emergencies and to manage crises effectively The protection of information from loss or inappropriate use and the preservation of privacy are increasingly important aspects of community safety. Legal, regulatory, and accounting standards are evolving rapidly with regard to data safety; TCC monitors these developments and adapts its information technology practices and capabilities accordingly. 2.4: Technology Tulsa Community College views information technology as a means for accomplishing its mission in education. It will continue to investigate, evaluate, and adopt new technologies. This process of acquisition includes the need to re-examine practices and processes within the institution. Technology is rarely just an addition or supplement; it is usually transformative, and Tulsa Community College Strategic Technology Plan Page 7
needs to spark consideration of deliberate change and attention to unintended or unwelcome changes. 2.4.1: Communications Communications technologies are of the highest importance to TCC. E-mail, web, and voice contacts are the staples of daily work. Television has long played a vital role in the transmission of academic courses. Paper publications, mailings, and postings still play a significant part in the range of modes of communication used regularly. New means of communication web conferencing, text messaging, mobile computing are growing in importance. Web 2.0 tools, which bring a new level of interactivity to Internet communications have brought profound changes in the ways people connect with each other and think about community. TCC will incorporate Web 2.0 technologies into its over-all strategy in communications. 2.4.2: Enterprise applications Information systems supporting the full scope of TCC continue to receive the highest priority in development. The Banner ERP system is the virtual core of information processing for the management of the institution. Web-enabled processes involving Banner continue to be developed at TCC. Staff capability to generate custom and ad hoc reports for Banner data is also the objectives of current projects. The growth of the operational data store and the longitudinal data warehouse will successfully place key information in the hands of the users. 2.4.3: Information sources Information systems are fundamental to TCC s stewardship and diffusion of knowledge. The Learning Resources Center is the focal point for information sources, including the library collection catalog and numerous online and subscription sources. The Blackboard system is the home for many instructional materials used in the TCC curriculum. The institution will continue to investigate, evaluate, and adopt new systems for storage and delivery of vital information. 2.4.4: Instructional tech The practice of instruction, in classrooms, on television, and via the Internet is changing constantly. As a consequence TCC will continue to develop its capabilities to provide the technologies needed to support the best methods for teaching and learning. 2.4.5: Assessment Testing, credentialing, and student portfolios are key elements of the academic program at TCC. They help students and faculty monitor academic outcomes and progress. They are also essential to meeting the need for accountability on the part of the institution and for planning for the future. The Testing Center and Blackboard and Banner systems are at the core of TCC s capabilities in assessment and will be the foundation of future development in meeting needs in assessment. Tulsa Community College Strategic Technology Plan Page 8
3: Accomplishing the plan The Information Technology Strategic Plan sets a frame for continual planning and for the coordination of many efforts to advance technology at the institution. The Plan will be updated from time to time. Annual program plans will supplement it, giving details about each year s initiatives and objectives. 3.1: Communication A primary objective of the IT Strategic Plan is to increase awareness of TCC s capabilities in information technology. Students, faculty, and staff need to know about the tools and information sources available to them. The Plan is also invaluable for recruitment and marketing because it defines TCC s objectives and standards in IT. 3.1.3: Policies and practices The IT Strategic Plan is a catalyst for the development of policies and practices in IT. The document enunciates a vision and range of objectives that touch on many aspects of work and life at TCC and invites collaborative developments of policy and practices in all parts of the institution. 3.2: Funding The IT Strategic Plan sets objectives and standards as guidelines for TCC s decision making, planning, and budgeting. The capital and operational resources of the institution give the means for accomplishing the Plan and also influence the priorities and pace of implementation. [Barbara I rely on you to decide what we say here. Also, grants, bonds anything else?] 3.3: Ongoing development of the IT Strategic Plan The IT Strategic Plan is subject to review and revision as necessary. It serves as a conceptual guide to annual program plans that set out the objectives and projects for each year. Progress reports and briefings will be presented to the TCC community as the IT Strategic Plan advances. Tulsa Community College Strategic Technology Plan Page 9