Purpose of the Course...

This course is designed to provide an overview of the various technologies available to student affairs/higher education professionals. Included in this survey course are computer, Internet and related automated information systems. The primary emphasis of the course will be on how technology affects the delivery of services at all levels in higher education. Specifically, the uses of technology for forecasting, budgeting, program planning, communication, policy analysis, resource allocation and customer service facilitation in student affairs/higher education will be explored. Although technical aspects of technology will be discussed in some depth, this is not designed to be a 'technical' course; the content will revolve around implications of technology as both a driving and a supportive element within the Student Affairs profession.

Textbook...

The Virtual Student: A Profile and Guide to Working with Online Learners
by Rena M. Palloff and Keith Pratt (Jossey-Bass, 2003)

Course Objectives...

Upon completion of this course students will demonstrate:

Knowledge:

1. An understanding of the historical development of technology in general and how it has impacted the delivery of student services in particular.

2. An understanding of the administrative uses of technology as a means of enhancing communication within student affairs, including hardware/software and audiovisual applications.

3. An understanding of how information systems are used in student affairs, including data processing systems, management information systems, modeling systems, and decision support systems.

4. An understanding of automated information uses in student affairs, including applications for forecasting, planning, budgeting, policy analysis, resource allocation, and assessment.

5. An understanding of the considerations intrinsic to the successful and efficient use of technology in Student Affairs, including the acquisition of hardware/software, cost benefit analysis, management implications, staff training, access/security, upgrading, and legal parameters.

6. An understanding of the evolving nature of education precipitated by advanced communications technologies, including online instructional methodologies.

Skills:

1. An ability to use various technologies related to the delivery of student services, including the facilitation of educational and professional development experiences.

2. An ability to use technology to conduct relevant student affairs research.

3. An ability to recognize and adhere to the ethical and legal parameters associated with the increased use of technology in student affairs.

4. An ability to appropriately integrate relevant technology into the administrative (management, supervision, and decision-making) process.

Dispositions:

1. An appreciation of the advantages and disadvantages associated with the increased use of technology in Student Affairs administration.

2. An appreciation of the integrated nature of student affairs and how this affects technology utilization.

3. An appreciation of technology combined with an ability to keep it in the proper perspective.

4. A respect for technology within the context of relevant personal/professional limitations, ethical/legal considerations, and financial/budgetary realities.

5. An appreciation of the tremendous impact technology has on students.

The course will be facilitated via a mixture of lecture, large and small group discussions, audiovisual presentations, structured experiences, site visits, and case studies. All Course Objectives noted above, which have been designed to meet applicable CACREP standards, will be measured via the Specific Course Requirements noted below.

Specific Course Requirements...

For a B:

(1) On Site Experiences/Summary Presentation.

(A) Each class member will be placed into a consulting group with two other students for the purpose of engaging in three on-site experiences in various student affairs/higher education departments. The purpose of these on-site experiences will be to gain an indepth understanding of how technology affects departmental functioning on both a microcosmic and a macrocosmic level. Consulting groups will be assigned specific departments by the instructor; details regarding the requirements of these on site experiences will be provided.

(B) During the final weeks of the course, consulting groups will be asked to share their findings with the rest of the class in the form of a formal presentation. These presentations will afford other class members the opportunity to gain insights regarding the impact of technology on departments which they have not examined directly. The primary points covered in the Summary Presentation should be covered extensively in the Documentation/Evaluation Report.

(2) Documentation/Evaluation Report.

Each consulting group will be responsible for producing a written report which (a) documents the impact technology has on the departments they visit, and (b) critically evaluates the department's use of technology in terms of achieving its philosophical and operational goals and objectives. Copies of the report are to be distributed to each class member at the conclusion of the course.

(3) Final Exam.

At the conclusion of the class, students will complete a final examination which will give them an opportunity to demonstrate what has been learned throughout the semester. The examination will be essay in format and cover the full content of the course. Everyone who participates fully in the course throughout the semester should be able to satisfactorily complete the examination.

(4) Attendance/Participation.

Each student is expected to participate extensively in the class experience; i.e., attend all class sessions and be prepared to contribute meaningfully at those sessions. Each student is expected to read any assigned materials in depth prior to the class period in which they will be discussed.

For an A:

(5) Personal Project.

In order to potentially achieve an 'A' in the course, the student must complete a technologically-oriented personal project dealing with student affairs and/or higher education. Each student pursuing an 'A' will be required to submit, and have approved, a prospectus outlining the proposed project

Grading...

The final course grade will be determined as follows:

For a B:

(1) On Site Experiences/Summary Presentation................. 25%
(2) Documentation/Evaluation Report ............................... 25%
(3) Final Examination ....................................................... 25%
(4) Attendance/Participation ............................................ 15%

For an A:

(5) Personal Project ........................................................ 10%

     TOTAL .................................................................... 100%

Grading Scale...

90 - 100 points .............. A
80 - 89 points ................ B
70 - 79 points ................ C
60 - 69 points ................ D
Below 60 points ............. F

Disability Accommodations Statement...

Students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustment and/or auxiliary aids or services) for this course must contact the Office for Student Disability Services, Room 445, Potter Hall. The OFSDS telephone number is (270)-745-5004 V/TDD. Please do not request accommodations directly from the professor or instructor without a letter of accommodation from the Office for Student Disability Services.

Instructor Information...

Aaron W. Hughey, EdD
Department of Counseling and Student Affairs
TPH 417-D
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY 42101
Voice: (270) 745 4849 or 4953
FAX: (270) 745-5031
e-mail: Aaron.Hughey@wku.edu
website: edtech.cebs.wku.edu/~counsel/sa/sa index.htm