F aculty and S taff

Faculty Professional Staff Adjunct Faculty Classified Staff

Evaluation Summary for Madison Falls College

Madison Falls College (MFC) is located in Madison Falls, Idaho. Madison Falls is the second largest 24% in the31% town region, with a 2010 Census population of 31,894. The campus draws students from Madison Falls and the surrounding smaller communitiesseveral towns with populations of less than 1,000. They also offer three outreach centers in outlying areas as well as online classes. 28%
17%

MFC was founded in 1893 and sits on what is known as normal hill. The MCF campus has 43 acres and 570,000 square feet of buildings. Although some of the older architecture remains such as the campus clock towerthere have been many recent renovations including a new nursing and science building. Visitors to the campus will be charmed by its brick buildings, sculptures and water features as well as its rows of dogwood trees. In the fall 2012 semester, MFC enrolled 4,525 students. The athletic culture of the collegeas well as its Institute for English Learningdraw students from all over the country and the world. In the 2012 fall semester, students came from 30 states and 29 different countries. Of these students, 2,712 or about 60% were female. The charts below breaks the student body down both Ag e MCFS tudents in terms of ethnicity as well as age. You may be able to hover your mouse over the charts to see Race/Ethnicity 3% the specific percentage associated with each pie piece. 0% Under 18
3% 4% 3% 1% 1% 5% Am erican Indian or Alaska Native 7% 6% 22% 18-19 20-21

The college has both academic and professional-technical divisions. The Academic division is 22-24 Asian comprised of Business, Education, Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Nursing/Health Sciences. 8% 25-29 The Professional-Technical division is comprised of Business Tech & Service and Technical & Black or African 30-34 10% Industrial. Am erican 16% One of the draws to the Hispanic/Latino very low student-faculty ratio; fall 2012 statistics report college is the 40-49 13% that there is an 18:1 student faculty ratio. The college has 551 employees. The chart below shows 15% 50-64 White the 83% breakdown of the types of employees.
65+ 35-39

When students and employees are combined, there are over 5,000 individuals at Madison Falls College. Technology plays a very important role for all of these individualsit infiltrates nearly every aspect of college lifefrom communication, to finances, to gradesand of course, it plays a very important role in both education and learning. But how does the technology at Madison Falls rate? The following is an evaluation of Madison Falls Colleges technology maturity based on Peter H. R. Sibley and Chip Kimballs Maturity Model Benchmarks from the Technology Use Plan Primer.

Maturity Model Benchmarks Madison Falls College Administrative Filter: Islands Stage
PolicyBehavior: Integrated Stage Technology use is appropriate and embraced by administrative staff. Most functions are paperless; the conversion to a new Datatel software system allows for most administrative taskse.g. Record-keeping (data for students and vendors), finance and purchasingto be conducted electronically. Datatel filters to the students and to instructors as well. It is used and supported campus wide.

PolicyResource/Infrastructure: Integrated Stage A formal school-wide policy on appropriate technology use is in place and accessible on the MFC website. Though approved by the governing body, it is not comprehensive and does not include planning. Academic divisions have their own policies based on their own corral of equipment.

PlanningBehavioral: Islands Stage The college has a Technology Advisory Committee (TAC) comprised of members from the Faculty Senate. The committee is myopic in its focus, addressing one project at a time and not looking at the larger role of technology. For example, the TAC is currently addressing a $40,000 upgrade for the computer labs.

PlanningResource/Infrastructure: Islands Stage

My research did not yield a Technology Use Plan. The colleges Strategic Plan does focus on technology in part. It appears that the TAC addresses technology needs campus-wide. Divisions also budget for technology specific to their programs. Institutional and Faculty Development grants can be written for purchase of special equipment.

BudgetBehavioral: Islands Stage Campus-wide technology needs are addressed by the TAC. These needslike the $40,000 for computer lab upgradesare brought to the attention of the Provost for approval. There is also a process for staff and instructors to apply for the (reimbursed) purchase of new technology. Any such purchase must first be approved by the Director of Internet Technology, perhaps to see the resource is available in another department. Divisions and administrative departments budget for technology based on their needs; for example, the Humanities division might not foresee the need to budget much money for technology, while Distance Learning is highly reliant on technology and software upgrades.

BudgetResource/Infrastructure Islands Stage The maintenance and support of campus-wide technological resources are budgeted for by the institution at large. However, from my review of the campus-wide 20122013 budget, specific money is not set aside for new technology. Long-termbudgetary plans are not considered.

Administrative InformationBehavioral: Intelligent Stage Technology use is required on a daily (if not hourly) basis for all administrative staff; the Datatel system is the electronic foundation of the administration and the college at large. Very few paper tasks remain.

Administrative InformationResource/Infrastructure: Intelligent Stage All staff and administrators have computers with access to the internet and to appropriate areas of Datatel. For example, not all staff will have (or will need to have) access to students records or purchasing, etc.

Curricular Filter: Integrated Stage

Electronic InformationBehavioral: Integrated Stage Faculty, staff, and students are highly dependent on electronic resources. Faculty are given Blackboard shells for their classes where they post grades online, post class announcements and handouts, etc. (not all faculty use them). Whether the shells are used or not, faculty use the internet to check email, to view their rosters, to post grades, and for advising purposes. Staff, as in the administrative filter, rely on Datatel to perform duties related to their position. Students use electronic resources to enroll in classes, check their grades, access research material on the library databasesthey can even instant message with a librarian 24/7 and, in some cases, attend virtual office hours with their instructors.

Electronic InformationResource/Infrastructure: Integrated Stage A variety of online resources are provided to MFC students. Outside of the basic online administrative capabilities, students and staff can access various online tutorials, most on the colleges ITunes library. The list of tutorials is growing and needs better visibility for more student use. The library recently updated some of its tutorials on using the databases; I believe there could be more comprehensive online material provided on avoiding plagiarism and better support for citing sources (why cant all writing labs have websites like Purdue OWL)? The campus and the library offer mobile friendly sites; students can access Blackboard content using the Blackboard App on their phones or tablets.

AssessmentBehavioral: Islands Stage As mentioned earlier, instructors are provided with Blackboard shells for classes, whether the class is taught on-campus, online, or as a hybrid. Blackboard tools mostly traditional assessment tools like tests and discussionsare used by online instructors for assessment. However, these electronic tools are not popular with oncampus classes. Blackboard tracking and report tools are not often used by online or on-campus instructors.

AssessmentResource/Infrastructure: Islands Stage Electronic evaluation of student work is available campus-wide if an instructor teaches online or opts to use a Blackboard shell. Instructors may also use off-campus means of electronic assessment, such as requiring their students to subscribe to online learning classrooms (e.g. Lynda, Atomic Learning) or subscribe to online resources

that supplement many textbooks. Curricular IntegrationBehavioral: Integrated Stage Technology, in some form, is a part of most (if not all) classes. How much depends on the class. For example, a Video Production class is heavily dependent on technology, while a literature class (traditionally) is not.

Curricular IntegrationResource/Infrastructure: Integrated Stage While technology is integrated into the curriculum, for many classes, its more of the passenger than the driver of the vehicle. In many ways, technology happens and instructors just ride along with the changes. For example, most instructors do not accept handwritten work. It is not seen as being innovative or forward thinking, but more as just rolling with the wave of technology The area of MFC that is given the most consideration when it comes to technology are the online classes. This year, the Strategic Planning Steering Committee released a 5-year strategic plan which includes a goal to Optimize technology-based course delivery, resources, and support services for students and faculty.

Teacher UseBehavioral: Intelligent Stage o Technology is integrated in the Datatel system where a teacher cannot perform his or her duties without technology. For example, a teacher cannot submit grades without a computer and the internet. Teacher UseResource/Infrastructure: Integrated Stage o All on-campus instructors are provided with computers and work areas. While the computers might not be fully updated (this is another mission of the Technology Action Committee), they have internet access and Microsoft Office. Online instructors are provided loaner laptops if needed; software like SoftChalk is provided. However, a trip to campus and to specific computers are needed for some programs. It makes sense that not all computers will have every program; however, this limitation could prevent instructors from learning new technologies that would better their instruction.

Student UseBehavioral: Intelligent Stage Students might have to research material online, type a paper, create a presentation, or even blog. The intelligent stage says they cannot meet outcomes without it and this

is true. Student Use Resource/Infrastructure: Integrated Stage On-campus students have access to computers in the colleges computer labs. If they do not have a computer, they can check out a loaner laptop. While the college does provide for its on-campus students, online studentsespecially those who do not live near campusare at a disadvantage. They must rely on their own computers and their own internet (in some geographical areas, the internet is slow and crashes often). Online students often do not have programs like Microsoft Office on their computers; Word Pad is not a technological equal.

Support Filter: Integrated Stage

Stakeholder InvolvementBehavioral: Intelligent Stage All divisionsboth academic and technicalas well as Library Services have a representative on the 2012-2013 Technology Advisory committee. Their last meeting was on December 6th, 2012.

Stakeholder Involvement Resource/Infrastructure Intelligent Stage The Technology Advisory committee (TAC) is a part of the Faculty Senate, thus all divisions are expected to elect a representative to voice their respective needs and viewpoints.

Administrative SupportBehavioral: Integrated Stage With the TAC being part of the Faculty Senate, there is little to no involvement with the administration in terms of planning, implementation or practice (unless the technology relates directly to their positions). The administrationas seen in the TACs most recent projectoften holds the purse strings for campus-wide projects. Guest speakers, some from the administration, have been invited to speak at TAC meetings.

Administrative Support Resource/Infrastructure Islands Stage There is some support from the administration, though the support is initiated by the TAC and not by a set policy or procedure.

TrainingBehavioral: Islands Stage

Many staff participate in live and online training, especially those directly related to their day-to-day use of technology. Some training is required.

Training Resource/Infrastructure Integrated Stage MFC offers online tutorials and support on Datatel and Blackboard. Additionally, the college has an online employee Training Program for all employees that offers brief online courses like Google Docs, Apps & More, Blackboard: The Personalization Principle and several live classes, too, on various topics. Classes are scheduled well into 2013. Faculty and staff are awarded points for each class and awarded small prizes in the Professional Development Recognition System. Additionally, Distance Learning offers classes on technologyusing Blackboard, SoftChalk, Camtasia Studio Lecture are examples.

Technical/Infrastructure SupportBehavioral: Integrated Stage Most staff use both formal and informal technical support to help them when a problem arises. Two support channelsone for online classes and the other for computer/password/internet problemshelp address problems quickly and efficiently. Limited hours are a drawback.

Technical/Infrastructure Support Resource/Infrastructure: Integrated Stage There are both full-and-part time personnel to help with technical support, both for online classes and general IT support. Support is available by phone or email; you can also stop in to the campus offices. Distance Learning Tech support is also available on Blackboards instant messaging tool which makes support for online students easily accessible and instant. Internet Tech Support is offered Monday Friday 8-12 and 1-5; Distance Learning Tech Support is available Monday-Friday from 730-5 and also Saturday from 9-1.

Connectivity Filter: Integrated Stage

District Area Networking (WAN)Not applicable; there is no district. Local Area Networking (LAN)Behavioral: Island Stage File sharing over the network is common in the administration, but is uncommon with students and faculty.

Local Area Networking (LAN)Resource/Infrastructure Integrated Stage The LAN is high speed.

Internet Access Behavioral: Integrated Stage

Faculty, staff and students all use the internet on a regular and frequent basis. Most classes require some time on the internet whether its with research or simply emailing an instructor. Students enroll in classes on the internet and view their grades online as well.

Internet Access Resource/Infrastructure: Intelligent Stage The entire campus has high speed, wireless internet service.

Communications Systems Behavioral: Intelligent Stage Students, staff and faculty use email on a regular, if not daily, basis. Library IM use is limited, but gaining popularity. Blackboard IM, upgraded from Wimba Pronto, has seen increased student use as a means to communicate with online instructors during virtual office hours.

Communications Systems Resource/Infrastructure Intelligent Stage All students, staff, and faculty are assigned MFC email addresses. Policy is that faculty should only respond to students who use their MFC email account. In turn, this ensures that students use the MFC account for communicating with MFC instructors, advisors and staff. Other forms of communication systems include instant messaging on the Library website and Blackboard IM for online students.

Innovation Filter: Island Stage

New Technologies Behavioral: Islands Stage Staff and faculty seem more open to new technologies that present fixes to current problems; however, technologies that require more time to set up and learn (for example, shifting Powerpoint presentations to SoftChalk) though accepted, are not often implemented. Camtasia Relay, a screen capture and video recording software was piloted by eight faculty (one from each instructional division) in 2011, but has not yet been widely adopted.

New Technologies Resource/Infrastructure: Integrated Stage Even though the current focus of the TAC is on software and computer upgrades, departments are purchasing new gadgetslike IPads. In 2011, Camtasia Relay was acquired through a $43,000 ITIG grant.

Comprehensive Technologies Behavioral: Island Stage The technologies available are fairly comprehensive, but emerging resources are not yet fully understood and are thus underutilized.

Comprehensive Technologies Resource/Infrastructure: Integrated Stage There are a wide variety of technologies available throughout the college including video production equipment and lecture capture technology such as Camtasia Relay or Camtasia Studio; the videos are then published to the schools ITunes library. There are two interactive video conferencing classrooms and a recording studio.

Summary of FindingsOverall Rating and Rationale

After review, I would rate MFC at the Integrated level. The college is taking many progressive steps by providing high-speed internet access as well as up-to-date equipment to its faculty, staff, and students. Beyond the basics of internet and computers, the college is acquiring tablets and has state-of-the-art lecture capture technology. Its website as well as the librarys website are both mobile and tablet friendly. An App for the college is in development; online students are already using the Blackboard Mobile App. However, behind every piece of technology is (or perhaps isnt!) a user and behind every piece of technology is (or should be) a technology use plan and budget. These are the reasons that I did not rank the college at the Intelligent level. First, as I have learned, it doesnt matter if the technology is in place; what matters is how its used. I believe that the technologies provided can be put to better use with mandatory training and some mandatory use (such as the Blackboard shells). Second, though I was told that there is a Technology Use Plan online, I could not find it. If there is such a plan, it should be made more accessible or perhaps the administrator who told me this is confusing the TUP with a technology TLC plan which is, indeed, online. Though I understand that departments have their own budgets and can afford items like IPads, and that grants can award technologies like Camtasia Relay, a school-wide TUP needs to be in place. The Technology Advisory Committee is as close as the college gets (as far as I can see) to a TUP. This committee, to its credit, has been in place for many yearsbut with the growth of online classes and the explosion of new technologiesa larger focus on technologymore than just a Faculty Senate committeeneeds to take place for Madison Falls College to rise to the Intelligent level.