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I often get questions from current students, new
students, parents and even faculty and staff about the
current state of technology at Salisbury University.
This is a pretty broad question and the answer will vary
somewhat depending on the perspective of the person
asking the question.
Current students have seen
some pretty great changes in technology use over the
past few years. There has been very rapid growth
in the technology provided in the classrooms. The
university now operates over 115 high tech classrooms,
or SMART rooms. Most faculty are now integrating
technology into their classes. This can range from using
power point or the internet in the classroom to
utilizing elaborate web sites to supplement class
activities. Most students make use of faculty web sites, WebCT or web sites related to their particular area of
study. Resident students have high speed access to the
web in their residence halls and University Park.
Starting in the Spring 2007 all students got the opportunity
to subscribe to the Ruckus
music service at no cost. Some students
have also discovered the wireless network in almost all
academic buildings and the Blackwell Library. Over
98% of the SU student body owns a computer and almost
2/3 of these are laptops. Over 98% own
cell phones. This group is “connected” to say the least.
Through GullNet most academic services can now be
accessed through the web. Registration, bill payment,
financial aid information, degree status reports, and
transcripts can all be obtained through the web.
SU has not issued printed grade reports to students
since the Spring 2003. Times and services have changed.
Future students will be
coming with an even a higher set of expectations than
the current student body. Web services are not new
to this group, but are expected. I doubt most high
school students would look twice at a university that
did not present large amounts of information about their
programs and activities on the web. They expect to
apply for admission over the web and expect to have
access to the internet wherever they are. Wireless
networks are growing rapidly at SU and elsewhere.
Students can and do expect to be “always on”. The
availability of low cost wireless ready laptop computers
is changing the campus culture rapidly. The advent of
reliable wireless connectivity and inexpensive laptops
changes everything. SU is planning to grow its
wireless network so that students are connected as soon
as they “cross the curb” to the campus. In class, in the
quad, in the dining hall, and in your car you can or
will be able to connect to the internet. My advice to
students starting in the fall 2007 is to come to campus
with a wireless laptop. Over 60% of our students have
already made this choice and the number will grow
rapidly. At this writing all academic and administrative
buildings now offer wireless internet access. By the end
of 2007, we expect to be wireless inside and out.
Parents often ask “what
kind of computer should my son/daughter
have?”. This is a relatively new question since the
question of should my son/daughter come to campus with a
computer seems to have already been answered. As
mentioned above for the next few years wireless
connectivity will be a main focus of campus technology.
This will lead to changes in teaching and learning. We
are already seeing technology play a very important role
in almost all areas of study. The university can help
with the acquisition of an appropriate computer.
We have a purchasing agreement with
Dell Computers which is administered
by the campus
Bookstore
and software agreements with Microsoft and McAfee anti
-virus. The Bookstore also provides PC support to
students who have computer mishaps. I suggest starting
with the Bookstore and asking questions about hardware
and software. The programs already in place can save
time and money.
Faculty have experienced a
high level of change over the past few years. New
technology in classrooms, the addition of GullNet for
class management and advising, and the adoption of web
tools to put class content on the internet are just a
few of the changes that have altered the way teaching
and learning takes place. The adoption of technology in
teaching has been very significant. The growth in the
number of SMART rooms, the activity level in the
Teaching and Learning Resource Center, and the growing
use of WebCT and faculty websites are all indicators of
a faculty that have embraced technology in teaching.
With the addition of the Integrated Media Center in the
new Teacher Education and Technology Complex (opens fall
2008) we will see even more collaboration within and
across disciplines in the use if cutting edge
technology.
With the growth of the wireless network for laptops
and hand held devices the options for integration of
technology in formal and informal teaching situations
are expanding.
Summary
In the past nine years technology has invaded SU,
like many campuses. Some on campus already
describe technology as “just like electricity, it’s just
there”. This is very different view from just a few
years ago. Students and parents are coming to campus
with expectations which necessitate growth in the
technologies available and they are pushing for “any
time, any where connectivity”. Connectivity and
content will drive our growth for some time. We
are excited to push toward new levels of technology
innovation. This is what education is all about. We
welcome the input of students and faculty as we learn
together. Thanks for choosing
Salisbury University.
Jerry Waldron
Chief Information Officer
jfwaldron@salisbury.edu
July 5, 2007

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