Student Affairs & Technology

Sarah Glascock Taisha Mikell Xiaoran Xu

Eastern Illinois University

StudentAffairs.com –Virtual Case Study 2004

Justification of the Course

• Our institutions need to implement courses that make our students marketable and savvy in their respected career fields.

• For–profit competition may be gaining quicker than we imagined (Katz and Associates, 1998). As you prepare future leaders, they must be ready for any possible obstacles, including those in technology. • The information and material covered in the course does not only benefit the students, but the instructors and institutions who collaborate on the addition of this course to their curriculum.

• The college culture is changing and technology plays a vital role in the change (Carnevale, 2003). We (divisions of student affairs) must be up to par on technology in order to produce a culture from the which enhances the college experience for our current and future students.

Course Objectives

• This course is designed to provide students with an individualized experience in the existence, creation, and application of technological innovations affecting higher education. Specific objectives of the course include: – Introducing students to the world of technology and its impact on higher education; – Provide students with an opportunity to become familiar with several major publications on technology that either directly or indirectly impact our entire educational system; – Provide students with opportunities to develop expertise in the utilization of various software packages; – Provide students with opportunities to explore the literature and meet with educators to gain insight into [their] concerns and experiences with technology.

Learning Model

Constructivist information –processing model should be used for this course • Reflect on readings, classroom discussions and out-of-class work to develop understanding of the relationship of student affairs and technology.

Learning Outcomes

• Support the mission statement • Assist students in meeting their educational goals • Create a comprehensive learning environment that fosters the intellectual, social, ethical and personal development of students • Enhance communication between student affair professionals and faculty members

Course Syllabus & Potential Assignments

The following slides serve as a guideline to what material can be covered in a course concerning Student Affairs and Technology.

• • •

Syllabus

–

Week One – What is Technology?

Expands above and beyond definition that computers and software = technology – Assess individual knowledge of technology and technology which they are comfortable

Week Two – Technology Policies on College Campuses

– – – – Computer Use Policies Machine Policies Electronic Policies Who has authority of certain areas of technology on – respected campuses?

Week Three – Adaptive Technologies on Campus

What technologies on campus are adaptable to other departments? What technologies are adaptable to both the student affairs and academic affairs realms?

• • •

Syllabus

Week Four – Bill of Rights and Responsibilities for Electronic Learners

– What are the rights and responsibilities staff have for technology?

– What are the rights and responsibilities faculty have for technology?

– What are the rights and responsibilities students have for technology?

Week Five – Special Problems and Solutions to the Application of Technology

– What is the role of technology in assisting works of student affairs professionals?

Week Six – Technology, Games & Human Development

– How has technology impacted the workforce?

– How has technology impacted overall human development?

• • •

Syllabus

Week Seven – Technology as a Philosophical Construct and Influence on Student Learning Theories

– – How has technology impacted student development?

What has technology done to college culture as we know it today?

Week Eight – DOT COMs and Colleges and Universities

– • Marketing and the University How can universities market themselves with and without technology?

Week Nine – Legal Ramifications of Technological Abuse

–

and Misuse

Judicial Affairs Office – Sanctions and Policies for students – Who handles staff/faculty technology abuse?

Syllabus

• • •

Week Ten – Database Applications

– Sufficient database knowledge

Week Eleven – Assessment in Student Affairs

– Software used for assessment/evaluation

Week Twelve – Online Facilitation and Student Affairs

– Goes beyond the classroom – Students look to online programs for student affairs departments (i.e., Health Service, Dining Centers, Student life) – Online Universities • Can Student Affairs reach those who only access the institution online?

Syllabus

• •

Week Thirteen – Online Learning and Communication

– Do students today communicate differently? – Can online learning replace the hands-on atmosphere of a classroom?

Week Fourteen – Future Trends in Technology and Higher Education

– What technology will Student Affairs occupations implement in the next 5, 10, 50 years?

– How can we be sure to be on the same level of technology as our students?

Suggested Course Assignments

• Create case studies concerning students and improper use of technology • Pose a debate – Is technology a right or is it an opportunity to enhance?

• Request students bring in one article a week for class discussion concerning technology and higher education • Present on different divisions of student affairs and the technology which is valuable and vital to that department

Suggested Course Assignments

• Have students “limit” (or go completely without) any technology for 24 hours and write a response paper about the benefits and challenges of doing so. • Have students work together to create a project that enhances the relationship of higher education and technology – Interactive websites – CD-Rom to promote student personnel program

Necessities of Technology Course

• Competence and knowledge of technology • Interests in using technology • Communication in Internet ( AOL , MSN Messenger , Yahoo Messenger ) • Be aware of legal issues in using technology • Multicultural issues, Study Abroad • Student development

References

Carnevale, D. (2003, October 3). All-in-one entertainment. The Chronicle of Higher Education, pg. A28-29. Katz, R.N. & Associates. (1998). Dancing with the devil:Information technology and new competition in higher education. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Kurzwell, R. (1999). When computers exceed human intelligence: The age of spiritual machines. New York: Penguin Books.

Carnevale, D. (2003, October 3). All-in-one entertainment. The Chronicle of Higher Education, pg. A28-29. McCain, T., & Jukes, I. (2001).

Windows on the future: Education in the age of technology

. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.