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survey summary

Strengths

The COE is moving ahead with lightening speed.
Such a dramatic increase of technology in all respects throughout the COE since the last NCATE visit.  For instance, the Human Sciences department reports:
Since the last visit, each classroom has been provided with projectors, computers, LCD’s, internet  and DVD/VCR connections.  Internet is provided in all classrooms and offices for faculty and student use.  Additional stations have been provided for student workers and an additional computer lab was set up for all students in the HMS South building.  Two HP plotters are stationed in the HMS South building for printing CAD drawings.  Wireless internet access was provided in two classrooms of the HMS South building.  New textile equipment was purchased for burning tests and color studies. A high quality  Elmo was purchased to study fabric weaves. Portable projectors were purchased in the department, as well as, two Digital cameras, camcorders, food lab equipment, ILE Carts, and digital voice recorders.  This kind of growth is evident in most departments across the COE  Our 2006 survey confirms this.

Professors and Educator Candidates are increasing their use of technology.
The COE has also made impressive gains in technology access, use, and integration by faculty and candidates.

There is accountability in the system.
It is a good feeling to know where you are and the impact you are making.  It is even better when you may easily access this information electronically. The presence of on-line surveys appears to be almost universal throughout the unit.  More importantly, nearly everyone takes advantage of this data for the improvement of their teaching.

Surveys and Committees inform decisions and direction.
The COE and Distance Education both have committees http://www.education.sfasu.edu/ele/classes/abel/ncate_technology.html  to oversee and check technology progress as we move ahead cautiously yet deliberately.  We also have a new technology coordinator for the COE.    Surveys such as the older 2004 technology survey administered by the then Academic Technology Committee to all faculty www.surveymonkey.com/DisplaySummary.asp?SID=699367&U=69936733910 plus our new 2006 survey of COE faculty help delineate technology needs, demonstrate progress, and have set the stage for effective responsible use of technology in the COE. We have begun reflective self study in a critical area that grows quickly and permeates all that we do.

Quality Distance Ed Programs are offered to those who need them.
Distance education has responded to student requests for access to our courses and has grown dramatically http://www.oit.sfasu.edu/disted/aboutde.html (e.g., Elementary Education now has an EC-4 distant ed program and a 4-8 middle level program is underway; several courses in the Human Sciences dept have been added). The COE is a small but strong and viable part of this effort to give more candidates access to education. All classes have updated web-CT access for web-enhancing courses and our quality programs are continually monitored; state test scores and feedback are found to be strong in both regular and distance ed classrooms.  

Field and Clinical Experience integrate technology.
There is strong indication from the participants about the use of technology in field practices.  A full 84% account for some degree of use for technology in the field placement. There was very strong indication for the encouragement of their OSP to integrate technology into their field experiences beyond course requirements; only one respondent indicated that they did not do so.  There was also a very strong indication for the encouragement of OSP to make public presentations using technology; only one respondent indicated that they did little in this regard.

Wireless Connections

Information Technology Services recently announced the launch of SFA's Local Area Wireless Network (SFA-LAWN).  Service is available in the Birdwell Building, the Austin Building, the Steen Library, the University Center, and the SHACK http://www.sfasu.edu/shack/
.  Additional service locations will become available throughout the Summer and subsequent academic years. Help is available for students at The SHACK (x4357) and for faculty and staff at the Faculty/Staff Help Desk (x1212).  http://networking.sfasu.edu/wireless.html                         
Grant money for new classrooms
The ETECRDC project has been approved by the Texas legislature in the amount of $20.1 million.   SFA also received $10 million in deferred maintenance.  The $20.1 million will support the building or renovation of our Early Childhood Laboratory, NISD/Charter School and the Department of Human Sciences.  

Links of Support are springing up everywhere
Some examples:
April 2006 - NewTeaching Excellence Center - Technology Focus
http://www.sfasu.edu/teachingexcellence/Technology/index.htm

OIT - Instructional Support http://www.oit.sfasu.edu/
Faculty Services http://www.oit.sfasu.edu/disted/facsup/index.html
Training offered http://www.oit.sfasu.edu/facdev/workshops.html
http://www.oit.sfasu.edu/facdev/certprogs.html
http://www.oit.sfasu.edu/facdev/fdc.html

http://www.oit.sfasu.edu/disted/facsup/pcd.html
http://www.oit.sfasu.edu/facdev/cbt.html

Campus Computing
http://www.sfasu.edu/its/campuscomputing.asp
http://www.sfasu.edu/its/
http://www.oit.sfasu.edu/enhancement/tools.html
http://www.oit.sfasu.edu/techsup/itv.htm
http://cp.sfasu.edu/cp/home/loginf

Library computer services
http://www.sfasu.edu/libweb/help/index.asp
http://www.sfasu.edu/libweb/services/facserv.asp
http://docutek.sfasu.edu/eres/default.aspx
http://www.sfasu.edu/libweb/services/tdd.asp
http://www.sfasu.edu/libweb/tour/index.asp
http://www.sfasu.edu/libweb/services/lib-tutorial.asp
http://www.sfasu.edu/libweb/aarc/online_resources/index.asp
http://www.sfasu.edu/libweb/de.asp


Opening Fall 2006:
Message from the Dean:  I would like to make you aware of our Educational Media Center in room 363 McKibben.  It is going through a makeover and will be open to all College of Education students Monday through Friday 08:00 am to 5:00 pm. (including lunch).  The Media Center will be used for class three days a week: Monday and Wednesday 2:00 pm to 3:00pm and Tuesday 2:50 pm to 6:00 pm and will closed to students during that time.  The EMC has equipment for digitizing and making movies, creating PowerPoint presentations or just checking email.  Ed Wittel will be adding features for using Jack Buck cards to charge students for printing and other services that will be available. http://www.education.sfasu.edu/ele/CENTERS/TECHNOLOGY.HTM


Selected Comments from 2006 Survey
- direct quotes:
Students in all courses are required to give numerous presentations using combinations of Power Point, video, and audio, and/or a combination of various electronic media. I couldn’t teach without it.

The university is ahead of the curve thanks to OIT!

The use of grade book with my students has really saved me time. Students are able to see their grade without talking directly to me. If I have entered it wrong they can call my attention to it right away. It has been a great time saver.

Technology is an important tool for my job at SFA both on the productivity side and on the creative site to enhance learning by the students. 

All my course content comes from internet web sites that have the most current information related to the courses I teach.

Kinesiology has some great stuff.  I did some neat things that were collaborative with ISD's and outside partnerships in 2000.  My student teachers email me anecdotal comments from time to time.

Technology is an absolute necessity in educational instruction, preparation and presentation.

Students must know how to use technology as they enter the classroom because the classroom of today is technology driven.


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