November 2, 1996

Section Page

BACKGROUND 1

1. Goals 2

2. Plan for the Campus Network Infrastructure 3

a. Computing Network 3

Network Server 4

Network Software 4

World Wide Web Server 4

Computer Network Bandwidth 4

Internet Firewall 4

Software standards 5

Workstation Operating System 5

Supported Software 5

Computer Replacement Program 5

Minimum Computer Configuration Standards 6

Upgrade Computers 6

BANNER Upgrades 6

WVGC/Marshall University Academic Building 7

b. Telephone System 7

c. RF Video Cable System 8

3. Student Access to Computers 8

Computer Labs -- South Charleston 9

Computer Labs Upgrade 9

Network Access for Students 9

Computer Labs at Remote Sites 10

4. Instructional Media 10

Distance Learning Classroom 10

Audio-Visual Equipment 11

5. Plans to Introduce/Offer Technology-Based Courses 12

6. Faculty and Staff Development to Increase Use of Technology 13

7. Funding 14

EXHIBITS A & B

WEST VIRGINIA GRADUATE COLLEGE

TECHNOLOGY STRATEGIC PLAN

The capacity/power of a computer chip doubles every 18 months and the price drops by half...Moore=s Law

A network=s value grows in proportion to the number of users; the more people using the network, the more who want to use it...Metcalfe's Law

The purpose of this plan is to set forth ways in which the College can integrate technology in instruction and administration to fulfill the College's mission. The intended outcome is to create and use the technology resources to increase teaching/learning effectiveness and administrative efficiencies.

BACKGROUND

Technology is changing very rapidly in all areas -- computing, data, video, voice, audio-visual -- and at the same time these technologies are merging together in many forms. Every institution is faced with a serious challenge in keeping up with new technology, new equipment, and new applications, and struggles to help students, faculty and staff learn how to use the most recent versions of software and hardware.

In view of the rapidly changing environment and the merging of the various technologies, the College decided, in 1995, to integrate all forms of technology into one organizational unit, the office of Information Technology. This strategic plan for technology reflects that decision and addresses all the College=s technological systems, suggesting ways in which they can be used together to accomplish the College=s mission. This plan is divided into seven major sections that collectively reflect the issues identified in the Campus Strategic Planning Format for Technology: Goals, Plan for The Campus Network Infrastructure, Student Access to Computers, Instructional Media, Plans to Introduce/Offer Technology-Based Courses, Faculty and Staff Development to Increase Use of Technology, and Funding.

In 1992, the West Virginia Graduate College developed a three phase "Computer Support System" plan. Nearly all elements of the plan have been implemented, and included the purchase and installation of hardware and software (BANNER) to provide a student registration, scheduling and advising system, computers for all faculty and staff, the installation of local and wide area networks, laptop computers for instruction, high speed printers, multi-media computers, and limited connections to remote offices.

Technology has changed dramatically over the four years since that plan was adopted, and the College has occupied new facilities which enhanced some technological applications, however, many of the issues identified in the 1992 plan continue to be important and have been incorporated into this plan. As a result of the process of developing this plan, it has become very clear that the horizon from which one views technology change is very close (i.e., one cannot predict very far into the future) and the issues are very complex, and for those reasons planning for technology should be a continuous process that requires the advice and counsel of all constituencies. To maintain a focus on planning for technological change, the College will re-establish the Information Technology Advisory Committee to assist the Dean of Information Technology in College-wide planning, development and refinement of policy, and development of standards.

1. Goals

The West Virginia Graduate College is committed to developing, maintaining, and improving technological infrastructure and support systems that will...

1) provide resources for students through computer and other technologically based information, advising, registration, and instructional systems;

2) support faculty and staff by providing up-to-date computers and other technologies that enable effective instruction, student advising, research, services to students, and information sharing;

3) provide equity and ensure quality in instruction through access to computer equipment and other technologies when courses are located outside the Kanawha Valley;

4) increase academic and administrative efficiency through networked systems;

5) operate, develop and maintain administrative systems to ensure effective and efficient management of the College;

6) provide training and development for faculty, staff and students in the use of equipment and applications; and

7) encourage an environment where students, faculty and staff can effectively and efficiently collaborate in the use and development of new technology for learning and public service.

2. Plan for the Campus Network Infrastructure

At the Graduate College, the network infrastructure is considered to include data, voice, and video networks with appropriate wiring, cabling and terminal equipment installed to achieve the best possible set of systems to support the instructional and administrative needs of the College.

a. Computing Network

The College has taken major steps over the last four years to enhance its computing capability. Every faculty and staff member has a 486 or Pentium computer at their desk which is connected to the College=s computer network to allow printer sharing, file sharing, E-mail, meeting scheduling, and conferencing. The College adopted and installed the BANNER student information system which is on the network and is available to faculty and staff for registration, advising, and a variety of other functions.

In Spring 1995, a high speed wiring infrastructure using Category 5 cable for both voice and data was installed throughout the new administration building, linking every office and classroom via voice and data networks. In July 1995, the network was extended to the WVGC Library located in Institute, WV via WVNET's frame relay system providing the library with full access to the College's network. In 1996, offices in Bluefield and Beckley have been provided dial-in access for e-mail and BANNER via the WVNET statewide frame-relay network and modem pool.

Despite the progress that has been made, however, maintaining currency in both hardware and software is a rapidly moving target, and one that involves continual investment in hardware, software and employee development. For example, two of the major systems being used, specifically BANNER and CUFS, have announced new versions of software that will be based on graphical user interfaces (GUI). Such interfaces take up substantially greater network bandwidth than the text-based interfaces currently being used, and which also require larger hard drives, faster processors, and more memory in workstation computers. As the College continues its collaboration with Marshall University, upgrades in the BANNER system will be necessary from time to time to maintain compatibility. As more software is written for 32-bit Pentium-type processors, the College will need to upgrade its software, and upgrade or replace its computers to handle the larger storage, faster processing, and greater graphical needs of that software; at the same time, reasonable levels of internal compatibility will need to be maintained. The College is committed to maintaining a reasonable level of currency in its technologies, equipment, and software, and in the preparation of its faculty, staff and students to use that technology productively. To this end, the following steps are being taken:

Network Server: The network server is being replaced in order to provide faster throughput, larger storage capacity, and more sophisticated features. Effective date: November 11, 1996.

Network Software: The network operating software will be upgraded from a 100 user Novell NetWare 3.11 license to a 500 user Novell NetWare 4.1 license. Effective date: November 11, 1996. At the same time, network management software will be installed to permit more efficient and effective management of the entire network structure. Later this year the NetWare 4.1 license will be upgraded to NetWare 4.11.

World Wide Web Server: In October 1996, the College installed a new 200 MHZ Pentium Pro web server with Windows NT operating system to provide faster throughput, larger storage capacity, and more sophisticated features for its web site. This will permit the College to enhance its World Wide Web presence to serve the instructional and information needs of faculty, students and staff.

Computer Network Bandwidth: The computer network presently has 10 mbps bandwidth for the entire network. As the College adopts network software that employs graphical user interfaces, it is anticipated that greater bandwidth will be required to maintain reasonable speed for users. In the Spring 1997, two steps will be taken to address the bandwidth need:

1. The "wiring backbone" that connects the network servers to hubs will be replaced with a fiber optic backbone for faster, more reliable throughput;

2. New hardware and software will be installed to segment the network so that bandwidth of 10 mbps can be allocated either to workgroups or to individuals according to users' needs.

Internet Firewall: Evaluate the College's need for an Internet firewall to protect WVGC data systems from access by unauthorized users, and install appropriate hardware or software solutions. Anticipated evaluation date: Spring 1997.

Software standards: Adopt updated standards for purchase of computer software:

Workstation Operating System: Upgrade workstation Windows 3.1 operating system to Windows95. As 32-bit Pentium processors have penetrated the hardware market, 32-bit software has been developed and it is becoming difficult to purchase software that operates on 16-bit systems. Recently, Microsoft has distributed software patches which eliminate some of the bugs in the original Windows95 software. To accommodate the newer software, the College will eventually need to replace its computers with Pentium machines to handle the larger storage, faster processing, and greater graphical needs of that software. As an interim step, certain features of existing 486 machines can be upgraded to provide minimum levels of Windows95 functioning where required.

Until Windows95 is installed on all College machines, Windows 3.1 will continue to be supported. The College will purchase licenses for Windows95, train members of the Computing Services staff to install and maintain it, provide training for users, and then install it on compatible workstations operated by trained users. This installation will be phased in over several months, beginning in Spring 1997 after staff have been trained in software installation and operation.

Supported Software: The Computer Advisory Committee originally adopted the following software packages for use throughout the College: NetWare (network operating system), GroupWise, MS-DOS, Windows 3.1, WordPerfect, Quattro Pro, Paradox, and Netscape. As upgraded versions of these programs have been available, the College has typically adopted the current version that operates under Windows 3.1 and MS-DOS. With the adoption of Windows95 as the College=s operating system, it will be necessary to update the "supported software" guidelines to provide guidance for purchase of licenses for software that will take advantage of Windows95 features.

When this issue is addressed, the College should consider the possibility of adopting Microsoft Access as its supported database (it is much easier to use than Paradox, and Paradox is not used by very many employees), and Microsoft PowerPoint as its presentation software. A related issue is that many machines on the market are supplied with bundled Microsoft application software (including PowerPoint and Access) which are not presently supported by the College.

Anticipated decision date: Spring 1997.

Computer Replacement Program: Currently the College has about 155 computers, of which approximately 30 (20%) are Pentium machines (purchased within the last two years) and 125 are 486sx machines (purchased three or four years ago). Ideally, the College should be on a 3 or 4 year replacement cycle, which means purchasing 35 to 50 machines per year (at $2,000 per machine, annual cost would be $70,000 - $100,000). At the present time, WVNET does not have a contract with NCR or other national vendor, so machines are bid individually as needed. Most recent purchases have been Dell computers.

Minimum Computer Configuration Standards: To the extent possible, new machines should be purchased from the same manufacturer. The College needs to revise its minimum configuration standards for purchase of computer hardware. Proposed interim minimum configuration recommendations, effective November 1, 1996:

133 MHZ Pentium processor 16 MB RAM 15"monitor

1.2 GB Hard drive Multi-media capability

8x CD-ROM Windows95 Software

The College should continue its policy of "handing down" older, but still functional, computers to faculty and staff with less demanding needs when new computers are purchased. In this process all 286 and 386 computers should be sent to surplus.

Upgrade Computers: Exhibit A is a partial list of College machines showing current processor, memory, and hard drive configurations. Also shown is the cost for upgrading each machine to the following configuration: 16MB RAM (all machines should have at least 8MB RAM), 66MHz processor, and 240 or 540MB hard drives. Certainly not all machines need these upgrades, however, such upgrades may be useful as an interim measure to extend the useful life of some machines depending upon their usage pattern. Virtually all machines can be upgraded for less than $490, and many can be upgraded for less than $250. A detailed analysis, department by department, should be made to identify those computers truly in need of upgrades. Anticipated time line: as needed and funds are available.

BANNER Upgrades: Over the past nine months, there has been a concerted effort to upgrade the BANNER student registration and information system to the most recent versions of the individual modules. This process will continue through this fiscal year, culminating in the installation of version 2.1.5, which has a graphical user interface. Anticipated implementation date: February 1997.

WVGC/Marshall University Academic Building: Under joint development is a new academic center to be located adjacent to the WVGC Administration Building which will include the WVGC Library, approximately 12 classrooms, and the Robert C. Byrd Advanced Flexible Manufacturing Laboratory. The facility will contain computer labs, a sophisticated presentation room, and electronic features in the library. Computer networks, telephone services, and video network services will be extended to the new building via fiber optic and coaxial cable, not only to provide access to the WVGC Administration Building, but also to provide access to WVNET and Marshall University resources.

b. Telephone System

The WVGC telephone system consists of an AT&T System 75 PBX, an Audix unit (voice mail), call accounting software, and telephone sets (Model #s 7403 and 7406). The PBX has capacity for approximately 288 stations, of which about 232 are presently connected; thus, by adding new 8-port cards to open slots, service to an additional 56 locations can be provided. Service from Bell Atlantic-WV provides 14 incoming trunks and nine outgoing trunks. Long distance and toll-free 800 services are provided by AT&T.

The PBX, Audix, and call accounting software were installed in 1988 and the units and software are approaching technological obsolescence. To that end, proposals have been received from AT&T to upgrade the PBX to a Definity G3V4 for a cost of $19,800, and to upgrade the Audix to a new model (Audix Intuity) for about $26,600. By upgrading the PBX, station capacity can be increased by 100% to approximately 576 ports with additional investment in 16-port cards to replace 8-port cards, and the College will have access to new software technology which permits closer integration between computer networks and telephone networks. Upgrading the Audix increases the features and integrates the unit with current telephone technology. Upgrading or replacing the call accounting software will cost about $5,000 and increase the efficiency of data collection and monthly reporting. Anticipated implementation date: no later than June 30, 1997.

A close working relationship has developed with the Staunton Elementary School, and the College is extending its telephone and video networks to the School. Four classrooms will be wired for telephones and two for video for use by the College to schedule audio and satellite video classes with small enrollments.. The wiring will be completed by January 10, 1997.

The following issues will be addressed in conjunction with construction of the new WVGC/Marshall University Academic Building and the extension of networks to the new building:

Purchase new telephones for the new Academic building: summer 1997.

Add 16-port cards to the PBX to provide sufficient stations for new building: Summer 1997.

Increase number of analog ports for increased voice mail applications for instruction: Summer 1997.

c. RF Video Cable System

A third part of the institution=s network infrastructure is the RF video coaxial cable system installed in the WVGC Administration Building. It has more than 50 cable TV channels and two satellite channels, and is used for both instructional and administrative purposes.

The following issues will be addressed:

Video equipment and features included in the original plan for the building need to be purchased and installed. This will be accomplished in FY 1997 and FY 1998 as funds become available.

Extension of the video cable system to the new Academic Center building, to be accomplished in summer 1997.

3. Student Access to Computers

West Virginia Graduate College students have access to computer labs in South Charleston, and to individual workstations in Beckley, and Bluefield on an on-going basis. In addition, the College regularly makes arrangements to use the computers and computer labs of high schools and other higher education institutions to meet the needs of students participating in individual classes. The College also places College-owned computers at teaching sites on a temporary basis (a few weeks to a semester) to support individual classes.

Informal surveys of WVGC students indicate that approximately thirty to forty percent of them either have their own computer at home or have access to computers at their place of employment. The College should monitor this situation regularly because, given the wide variety of locations where the College teaches classes, it may become possible and necessary to relocate equipment to sites where students have greater needs.

Computer Labs -- South Charleston: There are two computer labs with a total of 20 computers regularly open to students in the Administration Building. Computer Lab 222 has eight 486SX machines connected to the College=s network; this lab is used primarily by students as a "drop-in" facility. Computer Lab 217 has twelve Pentium machines also connected to the network; this lab is used primarily as a teaching facility, but also as a drop-in facility. Both labs are connected via the network to laser printers and to a high-speed line printer.

The Division of Continuing Education operates the Computer Learning Center in the Administration Building, Room 136. This facility has twelve 486SX machines running Windows95 and a laser printer running on a separate Novell NetWare 3.12 network. The lab is used for computer training programs for business, industry, government agencies, and non-profit agencies, and for academic classes that require computers.

Network Access for Students: West Virginia Graduate College students throughout the state now have access to the Internet and WVNET through the WVNET modem pool. WVNET has established modem pools (28.8 bps) at 25 locations throughout the state and has provided software (Netscape, Eudora, etc.) which permits access to WVNET resources and the World Wide Web. The cost is $15 per month, and provides network access for participation in on-line communication and research. Additional accounts are provided by the College to students who need access to statistical and other programs housed on the WVNET mainframes in Morgantown. In Charleston, students can also use the two College computer labs (20 stations) for a variety of tasks using software related to classes -- word processing, Internet research, spreadsheets, databases, statistical problems, and so forth.

Computer Labs at Remote Sites: At the present time, the College has two computers at Beckley and Bluefield for student use; each has connections via modem to the WVNET modem pool for Internet and WVNET access.

There are no College-owned labs available for group instruction outside the College Administration Building. If the College is to carry out its mission of instruction throughout the state effectively, it must either establish remote computer labs, create "traveling" lap-top based labs, and/or develop formal arrangements with other institutions or organizations (other colleges or universities, public schools, hospitals, government agencies) for use or rental of existing labs. This issue will be addressed by the Information Technology Advisory Committee.

Academic and Administrative Computing Services and the Computer Learning Center jointly offer a "jump start" program each semester, offering students and adjunct and regular faculty an orientation to the equipment and software in the computing labs. The three hour sessions are offered evenings and Saturdays, and are well attended by students and faculty.

4. Instructional Media

The College's instructional media services involve providing a variety of audio, visual and video equipment and related operational services to support the instructional mission of the College. Equipment includes a variety of portable projectors, video cassette recorders/players, television monitors, conference telephones, and audio tape recorders/players. Fixed equipment includes a satellite receiver, compressed video systems, and VCR's for tape duplicating.

Distance Learning Classroom

In October 1996, the College completed a distance learning classroom featuring compressed video equipment. The classroom seats 21 students and is equipped with both instructor and student cameras, large monitors, microphones, and presentation equipment including a computer, document camera, VCR, SmartBoard, laser writer, and cable/satellite television. The room can be used to originate classes, to receive classes, to make presentations, and to produce computer and/or video-based materials.

The classroom is connected to a twin facility at Marshall University via a dedicated high speed T-1 telephone line. Through Marshall's video control facilities, it is possible to connect to compatible systems at Point Pleasant, WV and Logan, WV (Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College). The WVGC system also includes equipment which will permit the future installation of ISDN dial-up service, which will enable connections to compatible systems at Bluefield State College=s three site system, West Virginia University's four campus system, and any location throughout the Nation which has compatible equipment. The classroom is being used this semester for two classes and is scheduled for eight classes for the Spring 1997 semester.

In addition to the distance learning classroom, the College also has a portable compressed video system operating on 128 kbps ISDN lines. It is used primarily for teaching engineering classes between WVGC and WVU. Since the system is portable and uses ISDN service, the units can be relocated as needed.

As interest increases in using these types of systems as a way to more efficiently extend instructional programs to other locations, the following equipment or facilities will likely be required:

A multi-point control unit to connect more than two sites at a time;

Portable roll-about units to be placed at remote locations;

One or more additional classrooms (provisions for installation of distance learning equipment at a later time will be made in selected classrooms in the new Academic Center building described above).

Audio-Visual Equipment

While the College has a substantial supply of audio visual equipment, much of it is old, it has had hard use, and it is in need of repair. In addition, there are very limited quantities of certain equipment that are in high demand, and there are some modern pieces of equipment, especially related to projection of computer images, that the College does not have in its inventory. There is a substantial need for providing faculty with portable lap-top computers, presentation software, and high quality portable projectors for use in off-site classrooms.

Issues to be addressed:

Review inventory of audio-visual equipment, identify equipment that must be replaced, and develop plan for purchasing new equipment. FY 1997.

Purchase approximately 10 VCR=s for both classroom use and for duplicating video tapes. To be accomplished Fall 1996.

Review inventory of approximately 25 lap top computers currently assigned primarily to faculty and staff to determine potential use for off-campus instruction and whether upgrades for use with LCD projection equipment are desirable and cost effective.

Purchase four portable high quality LCD presentation projector(s) that can be used with desk top and lap-top computers for instructional and other presentations. To be accomplished FY 1997 and 1998.

Overhaul existing telephone conferencing equipment (or purchase new equipment) for use both on and off-site for audio classes, satellite classes, and meetings. To be accomplished FY 1997.

Install third local origination channel on video cable system to provide a College schedule and information channel for the benefit of students, faculty, staff and guests. To be accomplished Spring 1997..

Purchase of audio-visual equipment for new Academic Center building. To be accomplished Summer 1997.

 

 

5. Plans to Introduce/Offer Technology-Based Courses

The College has a long history of using technology to offer courses throughout the State of West Virginia. The College faculty, for example, were instrumental in developing the Satellite Network of West Virginia in 1987, and have taught a wide variety of live video courses on the Satellite Network for the last 10 years. Faculty have used various versions of telephone conferencing systems since the mid-1980's to teach classes with multiple sites; telephone conferencing equipment is distributed to several locations in the state for use by the two to four classes offered via telephone each semester. Since 1993, the School of Engineering and Science has originated and received engineering classes cooperatively with West Virginia University via the compressed video system described above. Annually, faculty use one or two Public Broadcasting System telecourses (broadcast by the Educational Broadcasting Authority) as the primary basis for their classes. Currently, several members of the faculty are using electronic mail Listserves on WVNET, and the Internet=s World Wide Web as major components of their classes. In the Spring 1997 semester, three classes will be taught by WVGC faculty on the newly installed WVGC/Marshall University (South Charleston-Huntington) distance learning compressed video system. Several faculty regularly teach statistics courses using statistical packages installed on the WVNET mainframes in Morgantown. Both Engineering and Business school faculty regularly video tape classes, duplicate the tapes, and send them to students at remote locations for independent course work. Many faculty use computers to present materials to students, especially to demonstrate how software can be used for analysis, calculation, presentation, research, and so forth.

Given this long and substantial history of the use of technology in instruction, the College plans to build on that experience in using technology in the future. The College will continue to use the various systems identified above, and will encourage additional faculty to use the most appropriate technology for delivering their courses.

6. Faculty and Staff Development to Increase Use of Technology

Both faculty and staff need support and training to carry out the instructional and administrative functions of the College. For the last several years, the College has provided a variety of formal and informal training programs to develop proficiencies in the use of various technologies. The Computer Learning Center, for example, has a long-standing policy of permitting employees to participate in their programs on a space available basis; in addition, the Center is used regularly for special seminars in the various software programs that the College supports. A variety of informal sessions (e.g., brown bag lunches) have been held to help faculty and staff gain skills in using software. The annual August Adjunct Faculty Orientation Program in 1996 provided seven different 45-minute orientation sessions on technology the College uses for instruction and administration -- compressed video systems, the BANNER registration system, the Internet, Satellite video systems, telephone classes, and computer labs. The Academic and Administrative Computing Services staff provide a variety of services such as installation of software and hardware, setting up computers, trouble-shooting problems, tutoring or coaching employees and students on how to use features of computers, networks, and software, providing "help desk"support for the WVNET modem pool, conducting the Jump Start programs, and teaching students how to use e-mail and Listserves. The Library Staff regularly conducts sessions for classes and individuals on how to use computers to search data bases, library catalogs, and other library collections.

As the College employs increasingly more complex technology, there will be an increasing need for faculty and staff development in how to use the technology for both instruction and administrative purposes. The College intends to appoint an instructional specialist who will be responsible for helping faculty take full advantage of the available computer, video, and audio technologies. In addition, and also as an interim step, individual faculty and staff who have special skills or interests will be supported and given opportunities to develop skills that they can share with other faculty and staff. For example, one faculty member is currently working on developing guidelines for making effective use of Listserves instructional purposes, another is working on developing a program to teach others how to develop web pages for both instructional and administrative purposes, and another is evaluating computer conferencing software for potential adoption by the College to use in conducting classes.

Individual faculty and groups of faculty will be encouraged to take advantage of funds available through the Faculty Development program to acquire skills and assistance that will enable them to incorporate technology into their classes.

The Information Technology office is developing a demonstration program to orient faculty and staff to the features and potential uses of the new Distance Learning classroom described above. The demonstration program will be followed by an in-depth, hands-on training program for faculty who will be using the classroom to teach classes. This training program will be conducted each semester for faculty.

The Information Technology office is systematically collecting a wide variety of materials -- audio tapes, video tapes, books, and web sites -- that faculty can use to learn about technologies and software programs.

The College will continue working with Marshall University and other organizations to explore and implement ways to share and develop technology and to create faculty development opportunities and materials (for example, as with the voice registration system, electronic classrooms, library catalog and resource systems, and the faculty development video tapes being developed for the Satellite Network of West Virginia by Marshall University=s Instructional Television office).

Related Issues:

As the faculty and staff of the College increase the variety and scope of technology in daily use for both instructional and administrative purposes, and as the new Academic Center building becomes operational with both day and evening classes, consideration needs to be given to funding at least one additional instructional technology support position.

7. Funding

Given the College's goal of using information technology in a reasonably sophisticated way to accomplish its instructional mission, present funding levels and arrangements will not enable us to purchase the necessary equipment and software, upgrade it regularly, and fund the annual operating costs of various systems. Thus, it is proposed that consideration be given to establishing a technology fee, similar to that in place at other institutions, which would generate funds that could be used to support technology purchases, operations, and additional staffing for College-wide services. It is proposed that the fee be $3.00 per credit hour, which would generate approximately $90,000 per year. The funds would be used to address the types of needs identified in this plan.

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