EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research An Update

New EDUCAUSE Initiatives for 2002 EDUCAUSE Core Data Survey Virtual Communities Initiative Institute for Computer Policy and Law Expansion of Regional Conferences Assuming responsibility for.edu HEBCA EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research

Knowledge Based Organization Uses informed intuition Applies dialogue before deliberation Employs insights about effective practices Uses core competencies effectively

IT and Higher Education Overall expenditures over $250 billion IT expenditures $5 - $10 billion IT increasingly important Higher ed is ‘on the cusp’ –New IT architecture –New pedagogy –New competitive landscape –New professional skills, impact and stature

Emerging Questions Are there ways to organize tools and programs to support a culture of evidence? Is there an architecture? Can we increase, activate, accelerate or better organize knowledge? Are there ways to employ a culture of evidence to enhance decisions and to increase the diffusion of positive innovations in higher education?

Potential Processes Inquiry Idea incubators Frameworks Grand challenges Reflectories Analysis Dedicated research services Expert systems Action / decision protocols Effective practices Collection Knowledge bases Online surveys Research partnerships Focus groups Dissemination Usual and customary channels Portals Semantic webs CRM

Conclusions We live in a time of uncertainty Higher education has a key role to play It’s about dualism not dichotomy The pace of change will accelerate Higher education’s shift to a culture of evidence is in everyone’s interest

Why ECAR? “ECAR should become a research organization focused on the intersection of IT and higher education.” EDUCAUSE Board of Directors

Mission To foster better decision-making through research and analysis about the role and implications of information technology in higher education To address several challenges facing higher education through a systematic program of research, education and outreach

Audiences EDUCAUSE members CIOs Presidents Provosts CFOs Librarians Deans Faculty leaders

Research Bulletins

Next Generation Infrastructure Integrate multiple systems Create a holistic interface to the institution Improve security, authentication, authorization Change how work is accomplished Enable cross-marketing and mass customization Ed Lightfoot & Weldon Ihrig, University of Washington

Next Generation Infrastructure

Organizational Models for Delivering Distance Learning Six systems/universities studied: –University of Texas Telecampus –SUNY Learning Network –Penn State –Kentucky Commonwealth Virtual University –University of Maryland University College –University System of Georgia The following organizational models were reviewed: –Governance –Services –Funding

Organizational Models Funding Setting tuition & fees Course selection Conferring degrees Faculty workload policies IP policies Student services Technical standards

Other Research Bulletins Framework for assessing costs of IT staff turnover Impact of course management systems Online learning communities Supporting learners with disabilities Implementation of IT strategic plans Records management in a digital world

Research Studies

The Outlook for ASP and IT Outsourcing in Higher Education

Analyzes IT outsourcing in higher education Issues include: How is the IT outsourcing decision-making process organized? What is the experience of institutions that outsource? Case Studies INPUT conducted research with survey of EDUCAUSE members, phone and on-site interviews Outsourcing market forecast - maybe

Who is Outsourcing?

What Are We Outsourcing?

Why Do We Outsource?

How Do We Choose?

What Benefits Do We Find?

And Where Does It Hurt?

Are We Satisfied Overall?

Trends in Wireless Communication

Wireless Communication Trends Survey of nearly 1,400 institutions to determine the state and rate of implementation of wireless data communications in higher education. Response rate was 28%. (N=367) Research conducted by IDC Case studies and qualitative analysis

Implementation 59% of respondents have some implementation of wireless communications N=392

Implementation 45% of non-respondents have also deployed

Buildings with Coverage Libraries have the highest coverage of all building types, with coverage planned by most within 24 months. N=299

Use of Wireless Networks Undergraduates are the biggest users of wireless networks, followed closely by faculty. N=299

Devices and Wireless Networks Mobile PCs are the leading device for accessing wireless networks, followed by desktop PCs. PDAs and handheld devices will be added by many institutions. N=299

Wireless Technologies Supported b/WiFi is the dominant technology today, continuing for 2 yrs, then declining significantly a deployment will nearly equal b in two years on campuses. N=299

Key Challenges Faced The most universal challenges faced in implementing wireless are security and end-user support. N=299

Wireless is Meeting Expectations Wireless communications has met or exceeded the expectations of nearly 90% or the respondents who have implemented it. N=299

Research Studies ASP and Outsourcing (INPUT): March 2002 Trends in Wireless Communications in Higher Education (IDC): June 2002 E-Learning: September 2002 Enterprise Resource Planning Implementations: December 2002

EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research