Introduction to Technology Introduction to Technology in Student Affairsin Student Affairs

Course ProposalCourse Proposal

Fall 2004Fall 2004

Prepared By:Prepared By:

♦♦ John Gregoire John Gregoire ♦♦

♦♦ Brittany Henderson Brittany Henderson ♦♦

♦♦ Karli Winters Karli Winters ♦♦

Seattle UniversitySeattle University

Seattle, WashingtonSeattle, Washington

Course Description/OverviewCourse Description/Overview Computers and technological systems dominate the world Computers and technological systems dominate the world

like never before. They were designed to make life simpler like never before. They were designed to make life simpler in our day-to-day activities. Unfamiliarity with new in our day-to-day activities. Unfamiliarity with new technology, however, can make life and important tasks technology, however, can make life and important tasks more difficult than ever. This course is intended to orient more difficult than ever. This course is intended to orient the emerging student affairs professional to the capabilities the emerging student affairs professional to the capabilities of technology and its applications in the workplace. The of technology and its applications in the workplace. The technological needs of diverse student populations as well technological needs of diverse student populations as well as the trends in technology use by students will guide the as the trends in technology use by students will guide the formation of project teams. Collaborative efforts among formation of project teams. Collaborative efforts among students in other academic departments and/or student students in other academic departments and/or student staff members at the university will be a highlight of the staff members at the university will be a highlight of the course. Students will become familiar and comfortable with course. Students will become familiar and comfortable with many of the technological tools available to them as they many of the technological tools available to them as they serve diverse student populations. serve diverse student populations.

Course RationaleCourse Rationale

Technology can enhance the Student Technology can enhance the Student Affairs Professional’s ability to aid Affairs Professional’s ability to aid students. However, it is important students. However, it is important for the professional to be able to for the professional to be able to harness the power of the technology. harness the power of the technology. One must know what is available for One must know what is available for use, and basic techniques for use, and basic techniques for implementation.implementation.

Course Rationale, cont.Course Rationale, cont.

1) Technology has been instrumental to 1) Technology has been instrumental to the success of providing higher quality the success of providing higher quality student services including, but not limited student services including, but not limited to, career advice, course information, to, career advice, course information, service-learning opportunities, and service-learning opportunities, and academic support;academic support;

2) Technology can aid student affairs 2) Technology can aid student affairs professionals in enhancing much-needed professionals in enhancing much-needed assessment activities; assessment activities;

Course Rationale, cont.Course Rationale, cont. 3) As students become more reliant upon 3) As students become more reliant upon

technological tools and service, university technological tools and service, university faculty and staff must learn how to provide faculty and staff must learn how to provide training and support; training and support;

4) As integrated student affairs technology 4) As integrated student affairs technology plans are beginning to be implemented on plans are beginning to be implemented on college campuses, student affairs college campuses, student affairs professionals must be prepared to engage professionals must be prepared to engage in campus wide information technology in campus wide information technology planning and decision making; planning and decision making;

Course Rationale, cont.Course Rationale, cont.

5) Student affairs professionals must 5) Student affairs professionals must be ready to engage in discussions be ready to engage in discussions with academic affairs administrators with academic affairs administrators and information technology and information technology specialists about how technology can specialists about how technology can enhance campus life and community. enhance campus life and community. Without a basic understanding of Without a basic understanding of

Course Rationale, cont.Course Rationale, cont. “Technology should be used to serve the mission of the

institution, and decisions about technology should reflect, not determine, institutional academic priorities…New partnerships across divisions are more critical than ever because it is no longer possible to separate academic from administrative technology; there are now important interconnections among academic technology, instructional support, and administrative system needs. Academic affairs administrators are looking to technology as a way to enliven the curriculum and pedagogy. Student affairs administrators talk about how technology can enhance campus life and community. Together, they must consider what this means in terms of academic policy, rules of student conduct, and effective use of resources.”

-Hirsch & Burack, 2001

Course Instructional MethodsCourse Instructional Methods

Course will combine lecture, Course will combine lecture, discussion, focused readings, in-class discussion, focused readings, in-class computer training and practical computer training and practical application project teams. application project teams.

Course ProjectCourse Project The class itself is designed to mimic a The class itself is designed to mimic a

working Student Affairs division. Project options working Student Affairs division. Project options will be gathered by the instructor prior to the will be gathered by the instructor prior to the start of class. Students will receive a list of start of class. Students will receive a list of project options on the first evening of class. project options on the first evening of class. Projects will be further discussed week six and Projects will be further discussed week six and students will have a chance to bid students will have a chance to bid for projects during class.for projects during class.

The Idea of the class is to create a work The Idea of the class is to create a work community in the school by coordinating with community in the school by coordinating with other programs. Students from graphic arts, other programs. Students from graphic arts, business (marketing), fine arts, business (marketing), fine arts, sociology/psychology, and all other related fields sociology/psychology, and all other related fields should be utilized in creating project groups.should be utilized in creating project groups.

Course Project, cont.Course Project, cont. The rationale for these projects lies in practical application The rationale for these projects lies in practical application

and the creation of a realistic working environment. and the creation of a realistic working environment. Student Affairs professionals will gain experience working Student Affairs professionals will gain experience working with a design team. Graduate Students will be challenged with a design team. Graduate Students will be challenged to lead their project group to completion of the task from a to lead their project group to completion of the task from a predetermined position of leadership.predetermined position of leadership.

Undergraduate students from various programs will gain Undergraduate students from various programs will gain realistic work experience during this project. This offers realistic work experience during this project. This offers them a chance to experience a team not unlike those they them a chance to experience a team not unlike those they will encounter after graduation. will encounter after graduation. 

Working with Undergraduate Students will Working with Undergraduate Students will give Graduate Students experience managing students; an give Graduate Students experience managing students; an experience they will require when they enter the Student experience they will require when they enter the Student Affairs field as a working professional.Affairs field as a working professional.

Course Project, cont.Course Project, cont.(Notes for the Professor)(Notes for the Professor)

The Projects are the crux of this class design and will The Projects are the crux of this class design and will require networking and planning on the part of the require networking and planning on the part of the professor.professor.Some suggestions for project team planning are:Some suggestions for project team planning are:-Coordinating class scheduling with other faculty to ensure -Coordinating class scheduling with other faculty to ensure appropriate undergraduate participation i.e. Be sure a appropriate undergraduate participation i.e. Be sure a graphic design class is being offered in the same semester.graphic design class is being offered in the same semester.-A student fee will be required so that each project can -A student fee will be required so that each project can have a budget.have a budget.-Find department needs within the division of student -Find department needs within the division of student affairs i.e. If the Multicultural Student Center needs affairs i.e. If the Multicultural Student Center needs advertising for an upcoming program or event they could advertising for an upcoming program or event they could supply a budget and project parameters for your student.supply a budget and project parameters for your student.-Assess a higher student fee to pay student employees for -Assess a higher student fee to pay student employees for the class in the event that there are no available programs the class in the event that there are no available programs at your university.at your university.

Course Project, cont.Course Project, cont.(Notes for the Professor)(Notes for the Professor)

Students will be given contact information for project Students will be given contact information for project members and will act as project director. members and will act as project director.

Students within the class will be broken into groups of four, Students within the class will be broken into groups of four, to be labeled “Project Committees” with each student to be labeled “Project Committees” with each student representing the division they are working for. During class representing the division they are working for. During class meetings they will discuss project plans and hear feedback meetings they will discuss project plans and hear feedback from students. Students will be encouraged to collaborate from students. Students will be encouraged to collaborate and share experiences and resources at these meetings.and share experiences and resources at these meetings.

Project committees are expected to act as a division. The Project committees are expected to act as a division. The should share information and resources (i.e. if one has a should share information and resources (i.e. if one has a proficient web-designer, she could trade the hours with proficient web-designer, she could trade the hours with someone who has an excellent poster maker).someone who has an excellent poster maker).

Student projects must be completed by week twelve.Student projects must be completed by week twelve.

Course Project RationaleCourse Project Rationale

David Kolb (1981) presented a model David Kolb (1981) presented a model of learning in which the process of of learning in which the process of learning consists of a four-stage learning consists of a four-stage cycle. A classroom environment that cycle. A classroom environment that incorporates and requires the incorporates and requires the mastery of all four components will mastery of all four components will produce balanced and competent produce balanced and competent students. students.

Course Project Rationale, cont.Course Project Rationale, cont. The proposed project for this course takes into The proposed project for this course takes into

account Kolb’s cycle of learning.account Kolb’s cycle of learning. Students will formulate ideas through classroom Students will formulate ideas through classroom

discussion and assignments (discussion and assignments (Abstract Abstract ConceptualizationConceptualization).).

They will incorporate the new ideas into strategic They will incorporate the new ideas into strategic plans of action for their project proposals (plans of action for their project proposals (Active Active ExperimentationExperimentation).).

Students will have full involvement in learning Students will have full involvement in learning experiences through the implementation of their experiences through the implementation of their projects (projects (Concrete ExperienceConcrete Experience).).

They will be given the opportunity to reflect on They will be given the opportunity to reflect on their experiences and share in the experiences of their experiences and share in the experiences of others (others (Reflective ObservationReflective Observation).).

Course Project Rationale, cont.Course Project Rationale, cont. The course project itself will implement all The course project itself will implement all

discussed technology in the class.discussed technology in the class. For example, 1)management of project For example, 1)management of project

budget, require Microsoft Excel; 2) budget, require Microsoft Excel; 2) Implementing Photoshop, Publisher, Implementing Photoshop, Publisher, Illustrator, and/or directing students to Illustrator, and/or directing students to implement them in creating print media; implement them in creating print media; 3) Utilizing discussed techniques for 3) Utilizing discussed techniques for improved web design,improved web design,

Students will also face numerous Students will also face numerous challenges in interacting with a group of challenges in interacting with a group of diverse people.diverse people.

Anticipated Learning OutcomesAnticipated Learning Outcomes 1) Students will understand and use the terminology 1) Students will understand and use the terminology

associated with specific technologies;associated with specific technologies; 2) Students will understand the capabilities of existing 2) Students will understand the capabilities of existing

technologies and be able to discern practical applications technologies and be able to discern practical applications for student affairs; for student affairs;

3)Students will gain valuable experience in heading a team 3)Students will gain valuable experience in heading a team of designers in implementing a project for use in student of designers in implementing a project for use in student affairs or academic departments; affairs or academic departments;

4) Students will understand ethical and legal implications 4) Students will understand ethical and legal implications associated with using technology; associated with using technology;

5) Students will learn to address the needs of diverse 5) Students will learn to address the needs of diverse student populations in implementing technology; student populations in implementing technology;

6) Students will emerge from the course capable of 6) Students will emerge from the course capable of implementing technology to the benefit of a wide array of implementing technology to the benefit of a wide array of student support services.student support services.

Course ScheduleCourse Schedule

Introduction/OverviewIntroduction/Overview

Student trends in technology use.Student trends in technology use. Focus on what types of technologies Focus on what types of technologies

are used in the Student Affairs are used in the Student Affairs profession.profession.

Week One AssignmentsWeek One Assignments

Students will be asked to seek out Students will be asked to seek out different student affairs programs websites different student affairs programs websites and assess usability.and assess usability.

They should prepare a sheet of pros and They should prepare a sheet of pros and cons for class discussion and should bring cons for class discussion and should bring a list of site addresses so they can be a list of site addresses so they can be shared in group activity in class. As we shared in group activity in class. As we discuss why some websites are better discuss why some websites are better students will be expected to offer students will be expected to offer arguments and demonstrations and will arguments and demonstrations and will need to show the class by visiting the site. need to show the class by visiting the site.

Week One AssignmentsWeek One Assignments

Assigned Reading:Assigned Reading:• Hirsch, D. & Burack, C. (2001). Finding points of contact Hirsch, D. & Burack, C. (2001). Finding points of contact

for collaborative work. for collaborative work. New Directions for Higher New Directions for Higher EducationEducation, 116, 53-62., 116, 53-62.

• Harms, J.Y. (2001). Identifying the needs of student Harms, J.Y. (2001). Identifying the needs of student affairs professionals using a web-based survey.affairs professionals using a web-based survey.

• Barratt, W. (2001). Managing information technology in Barratt, W. (2001). Managing information technology in Student Affairs: A report on policies, practices, staffing, Student Affairs: A report on policies, practices, staffing, and technology. and technology. Paper presented at the Annual Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the National Association of Student Conference of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (Seattle, WA, March 17-21, Personnel Administrators (Seattle, WA, March 17-21,

2001).2001). • Preece, J., Rogers, Y. & Sharp, H. (c. 2001). Interactions Preece, J., Rogers, Y. & Sharp, H. (c. 2001). Interactions

design: Beyond human-computer interaction.design: Beyond human-computer interaction. Wiley Wiley Textbooks: Hoboken, NJ. 544 p. Textbooks: Hoboken, NJ. 544 p.

Web Design & TechniqueWeb Design & Technique

This portion of the class will focus on This portion of the class will focus on introducing students to the introducing students to the capabilities of the web, rather than capabilities of the web, rather than on teaching explicit HTML design. on teaching explicit HTML design. The expected learning outcome will The expected learning outcome will be for students to gain an be for students to gain an understanding of what makes a understanding of what makes a website usable.website usable.

Week Two AssignmentsWeek Two Assignments Students should sketch out a web design showing Students should sketch out a web design showing

pages and purpose. This is how they will need to pages and purpose. This is how they will need to plan  pages with a web designer. Artistic ability is plan  pages with a web designer. Artistic ability is not graded, rather flow and format of the site. not graded, rather flow and format of the site. Students should not plan a complex site but Students should not plan a complex site but should incorporate some basics, such as:should incorporate some basics, such as:

A home pageA home page A links page with at least three linksA links page with at least three links A formA form An information page An information page  An open forum or message boardAn open forum or message board

Week Two AssignmentsWeek Two Assignments Preece, J., Rogers, Y. & Sharp, H. (2002). Interactions Preece, J., Rogers, Y. & Sharp, H. (2002). Interactions

design: Beyond human-computer interaction. Wiley design: Beyond human-computer interaction. Wiley Textbooks: Hoboken, NJ. 544 p. Textbooks: Hoboken, NJ. 544 p.

Illustrator and PhotoshopIllustrator and Photoshop

The purpose of this class it to give The purpose of this class it to give students a basic knowledge of Photoshop students a basic knowledge of Photoshop and Illustrator capabilities. The session and Illustrator capabilities. The session will take place in a computer lab, and will take place in a computer lab, and students will participate in a 45 minute students will participate in a 45 minute activity that requires them to create “Mr. activity that requires them to create “Mr. Potatohead” in Photoshop. By the end of Potatohead” in Photoshop. By the end of the session, students should have attained the session, students should have attained all of the skills necessary for basic all of the skills necessary for basic publications and publicity campaigns.publications and publicity campaigns.

Week Three AssignmentsWeek Three Assignments

Use your Mr. Potatohead picture and Use your Mr. Potatohead picture and add him to a background scene and add him to a background scene and create an advertisement for create an advertisement for Potatohead vacations. Your Potatohead vacations. Your advertisement should include text as advertisement should include text as well as pictures. well as pictures.

Microsoft Office SuiteMicrosoft Office Suite

This session will focus on Office products This session will focus on Office products other than Word. We will examine the other than Word. We will examine the capabilities of Excel, PowerPoint and capabilities of Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. The focus will be on alternative Outlook. The focus will be on alternative uses for the programs, such as using uses for the programs, such as using PowerPoint for creating handouts, and PowerPoint for creating handouts, and mathematical functions of Excel. We will mathematical functions of Excel. We will also discuss some of the email etiquette also discuss some of the email etiquette involved in sending out mass emails, such involved in sending out mass emails, such as using the BCC field.as using the BCC field.

Microsoft PublisherMicrosoft Publisher

Publisher is able to incorporate all of Publisher is able to incorporate all of the previous techniques and can be the previous techniques and can be introduced in a way that students introduced in a way that students can teach themselves how to work can teach themselves how to work through a minor assignment. The through a minor assignment. The project should be based on personal project should be based on personal ability and challenge. In other words ability and challenge. In other words students will have different abilities... students will have different abilities... grading should be based on personal grading should be based on personal challenge.challenge.

Week Five AssignmentsWeek Five Assignments

Create a pamphlet from scratch (do Create a pamphlet from scratch (do not use Publisher Templates). The not use Publisher Templates). The pamphlet should advertise an pamphlet should advertise an upcoming workshop, real or made-upcoming workshop, real or made-up. Grades will be based on up. Grades will be based on incorporation of techniques from incorporation of techniques from previous class sessions. previous class sessions.

Introduction of ProjectsIntroduction of Projects (Week open for make-up work if the class is behind the (Week open for make-up work if the class is behind the

designed syllabus). Project structure and expectations will designed syllabus). Project structure and expectations will be discussed in detail leaving time for questions. The be discussed in detail leaving time for questions. The class’s understanding and full participation is required for a class’s understanding and full participation is required for a successful partnership. Therefore a large portion of class successful partnership. Therefore a large portion of class time should be used to explain the project and evaluate time should be used to explain the project and evaluate expectations. expectations.

Project options will be offered in this class with a Project options will be offered in this class with a description of each available team and work structure (will description of each available team and work structure (will the student will be with a team of undergrads, or with paid the student will be with a team of undergrads, or with paid professionals, or if they will he or she be with a combination professionals, or if they will he or she be with a combination of both?). Students will use this class to bid for a specific of both?). Students will use this class to bid for a specific project and will be assigned by the professor. Students will project and will be assigned by the professor. Students will be expected to have familiarity with their personal projects be expected to have familiarity with their personal projects and the abilities of the people with whom they are working and the abilities of the people with whom they are working by their first group meeting. Time is limited so students will by their first group meeting. Time is limited so students will need to make the most of every group meeting.need to make the most of every group meeting.

Week Six AssignmentsWeek Six Assignments

Prepare strategic plan to be Prepare strategic plan to be presented at first in-class committee presented at first in-class committee meeting during week eight.meeting during week eight.

Contact work team to establish Contact work team to establish schedules and an appropriate schedules and an appropriate meeting time.meeting time.

Database TechnologyDatabase Technology Classes from here on will begin with an open Classes from here on will begin with an open

discussion where students can present valuable discussion where students can present valuable outside material they have found during their outside material they have found during their project planning and production... for example a project planning and production... for example a student may learn about a good site to download student may learn about a good site to download fun fonts, or find a good source for artwork. They fun fonts, or find a good source for artwork. They may have read articles on technological trends may have read articles on technological trends and applications. From here on the class will and applications. From here on the class will become more of a working classroom.become more of a working classroom.

Students will be producing and discussing their Students will be producing and discussing their projects every class period. They will need to rely projects every class period. They will need to rely on each other for progress as well as the team on each other for progress as well as the team they are assigned. they are assigned.

Database Technology, cont.Database Technology, cont.

This session will also include a mid-term This session will also include a mid-term evaluation, in which the professor can gain evaluation, in which the professor can gain feedback as to how the class is feedback as to how the class is progressing.progressing.

The main topic of discussion for this class The main topic of discussion for this class will be the benefits and uses of database will be the benefits and uses of database software, including tracking student software, including tracking student involvement, creating a library system or involvement, creating a library system or ticket sales counter. ticket sales counter.

Week Seven AssignmentsWeek Seven Assignments Kazmer, M. (2002). Distance education students speak to the Kazmer, M. (2002). Distance education students speak to the

libarary: Here’s how you can help even more. libarary: Here’s how you can help even more. The Electronic The Electronic Library, Library, 20(5), 395-400.20(5), 395-400.

Choy, S., McNickle, C. & Clayton, B. (2002). Learner expectations Choy, S., McNickle, C. & Clayton, B. (2002). Learner expectations and experiences: An examination of student views of support in and experiences: An examination of student views of support in online learning. online learning. National Center for Vocational Education National Center for Vocational Education Research, Research, Leabrook, Australia, 106 p.Leabrook, Australia, 106 p.

Reminder that first in-class committee Reminder that first in-class committee meeting will be during week eight.meeting will be during week eight.

Students should be prepared with Students should be prepared with materials for the first meeting.materials for the first meeting.

Diverse PopulationsDiverse Populations

This class will be a discussion around This class will be a discussion around diverse populations, such as distance diverse populations, such as distance learners and students with learners and students with disabilities. Issues such as webpage disabilities. Issues such as webpage design for the blind will be discussed. design for the blind will be discussed.

Students will meet with their project Students will meet with their project teams.teams.

Week Eight AssignmentsWeek Eight Assignments

Project development.Project development. You should have met with your team You should have met with your team

at least once, and actual production at least once, and actual production should be commencing.should be commencing.

Ethical and Legal ImplicationsEthical and Legal Implications

This session will focus on ethical and legal This session will focus on ethical and legal issues in technology. For instance, if two issues in technology. For instance, if two students meet in your open forum, and students meet in your open forum, and one begins stalking the other, are you one begins stalking the other, are you liable? What information is acceptable for liable? What information is acceptable for publication on your school’s website? For publication on your school’s website? For what types of information do you need what types of information do you need prior approval from a person? When is it prior approval from a person? When is it okay to publish personal addresses, etc. okay to publish personal addresses, etc.

Week Nine AssignmentsWeek Nine Assignments

Keep working on projects!Keep working on projects! You should be prepared with some You should be prepared with some

rough draft materials for next class.rough draft materials for next class.

Project WorkProject Work

This session will allow for in-class This session will allow for in-class work with project committee.work with project committee.

No major changes in projects after No major changes in projects after this point. this point.

You should have materials by this You should have materials by this point. i.e. you should have printouts point. i.e. you should have printouts of pamphlets, webpages, etc. for of pamphlets, webpages, etc. for editing.editing.

Week Ten AssignmentsWeek Ten Assignments

Prepare final project for presentation.Prepare final project for presentation.

Personality TypesPersonality Types

Keeping personality types in mind to Keeping personality types in mind to create effective technological create effective technological communicationscommunications

Fun open forum discussion of Fun open forum discussion of potential pit-falls in working with potential pit-falls in working with different personalities on different personalities on technological projects.technological projects.

Week Eleven AssignmentsWeek Eleven Assignments

Finalize projects.Finalize projects.

Group PresentationsGroup Presentations

Half of the groups will present.Half of the groups will present.

Group PresentationsGroup Presentations

Second half of groups to present.Second half of groups to present.

SynthesisSynthesis

Individual project committee Individual project committee members will be expected to turn members will be expected to turn in a one page evaluation for each in a one page evaluation for each member of their group. The member of their group. The evaluations will need to be justified evaluations will need to be justified using course material and outside using course material and outside sources as they may apply to the sources as they may apply to the class. Student evaluations will be class. Student evaluations will be used to assist the professor in used to assist the professor in grading.grading.