At Tony Bates’ site, e-learning and distance education resources, he poses questions educational institutions should ask when attempting to determine how well they are integrating technology into their institution. At the end of 2010, a book co-authored by Tony Bates and Albert Sangra of the Open University of Catalonia will discuss each of these questions in more detail. Here are the questions:
- Are there ‘champions’ with power and influence in the institution who recognize the importance of technology for conducting the business of the institution?
- Does the institution have an advanced, comprehensive technology infrastructure that enables all staff, students and faculty to access computers, networks, software and services as required?
- Has the institution digitalized its administrative services, and can staff, students and faculty access administrative information and services easily over the web?
- Has the institution identified a clear, strategic rationale for the use of technology within the institution?
- Has the institution identified additional financial resources or reallocated resources to support the integration of technology within the institution?
- What proportion of staff, students and faculty are using technology and for what activities?
- How innovative is the use of technology, particularly for teaching?
- What level of support and training is given to instructors to ensure good quality teaching when using technology?
- Are students learning better and getting better services as a result of technology integration?