Academic Computing Policy Advisory Committee

Minutes of February 15, 2012

  • In Attendance: Ali, Balint, Brzycki, Cunningham, Ezekiel, Ford, Fortushniak, Hyde, Lenze, Lowery, T. McDevitt, McElroy, O'Neil, Pagnucci, Powers, Sherwood, Yost, Yuhas, Zimmerman
  • Excused: Angel, Blood, Branthoover, Kemp, P. McDevitt, Mocek, Onyett, J.B. Smith
  • Absent: Asamoah, Giever, Gruber, McGowan, Nelson, Papakie, Van Wieren.
  • Guests: Anspacher.

Proceedings of the Meeting

  • Approval of Minutes
    • The January 25, 2012 minutes were approved unanimously (M/S Lenze/O'Neil).
  • Co-Chairs' Report
    • Financial Report - The ACPAC balance is currently $12,804.92
    • Announcements - McElroy reported a message from Janet Blood regarding the January SOG report, stating that the fall semester retention rate of 89% was inclusive of all campuses.
  • Standing Committee Reports
    • CIO office (Balint)
      • Horizon Report
        • Balint distributed summary sheet of Horizon Report (Higher Education Edition) for our information and for discussion and possible guidance for future ACPAC projects. Reminded us that IUP is a member of the New Media Consortium (NMC), which watches for new emerging instructional technology. Suggested that information from this and similar resources can help us work on new beneficial initiatives for IUP, citing their past reports that did a good job of predicting new trends in higher education. The full report is available on the NMC website.
        • For '12 months or less' category, there is a focus on mobile apps. Powers talked about the new Mobile Application Task Force, that is working on iPad/Android apps to be ready for Fall 2012 cohort. Apps focus on an audience of new students, to be able to find information on scheduling, campus maps, financial aid, grades, etc. Other apps will be focused on parents, alumni, and faculty/staff needs. Many students now have only a smart phone instead of a land line or even a computer.
      • Cunningham gave update on Sunguard on the Banner framework, with access to maps, grade access, RSS feeds, etc. which can be integrated into mobile apps. Mentioned that Dave Smith has students working on a grant-funded project to develop apps for IUP. Suggested that the Mobile App Task Force be included on future ACPAC agendas for periodic updates. Back-end infrastructure and authentication is being worked on, and they envision apps will be prioritized (suggestions from faculty, etc.) and developed.
      • Powers/Cunningham described how these apps can be integrated with Banner/URSA, so that students can access information that normally would be accessed via URSA (course schedules, grades, etc.), and how Sunguard is working on the Banner framework to deliver content for apps.
      • Various apps and members' experiences with these apps were discussed.
      • Anspacher discussed D2L apps.
      • Ezekiel asked about the costs involved in developing these apps and the related back-end processes and their value compared to student usage. Cunningham/Balint described the essentially free' services that came with the purchase of other systems (e.g., Sunguard, etc.); Powers reinforced the need to keep on top of these apps to remain competitive with other schools.
      • Balint discussed tablets (iPads, Xooms, Kindle Fires, etc.) and their increased use on campus; data security, IUP apps; their use in the classroom and teaching and research. Discussed the implications of wider use in instructional technology and how ACPAC might facilitate better usage (ACPAC and other funds for grants, etc.). Discussed current practices and lack of policy on using a personal mobile device for IUP purposes. IT has a mobile security guideline page and several FAQs for setting up devices, but they cannot be responsible for supporting personal devices - only IUP-owned devices. Personal purchase of apps used in teaching might be reimbursed by the state, but the user agreements are still the responsibility of the user. Hyde asked about data security and official policies and suggested the development of policies for mobile devices used for instruction. Balint mentioned that PaSSHE doesn't have policies, but rather guidelines; suggested that ACPAC have an action team to deal with tablets and these related issues.
      • Powers/Cunningham suggested Mobile Applications Action Team be a new standing report, with Cunningham and/or Powers reporting.
      • Zimmerman mentioned Learning Entertainment Evolution Forum (LEEF), which deals with gaming/simulation development for instructional technology - see website for more information.
    • Emerging Technologies Subcommittee (Sherwood)
      • Sherwood showed overhead with future timeline (re: Horizon Report) with emphasis on eBooks. Asked that ACPAC consider how eBooks can be integrated at IUP (along with mobile apps) in instructional technology. At library, just got a contract to license several thousand eBook titles, with more anticipated, to increase the resources available to our students for research and use in the classroom. Students are using more mobile devices, so eBooks would seem to be a rational transition in many classes.
      • Discussed benefits and challenges of using eBooks, including formats, content control, and access; partnering with publishers; economic benefits of eBooks and customized learning experiences; producing our (faculty) own books.
      • Hyde and others discussed their use and experiences of eBooks in teaching; a recent news article about eBooks at Temple was discussed.
      • Discussion on economic benefits versus expiration of eBooks.
    • On-Line Learning Subcommittee (Brzycki)
      • Synchronous Tools
        • Son of Wimba'. PASSHE put out RFP for tool to replace Wimba - Adobe Connect and Blackboard Collaborate are being considered for further evaluation. PASSHE is giving one week for evaluation, date to be determined.
      • Moodle to D2L Conversion
        • Feedback so far points out several weaknesses, and several evaluators would rather start a new course from scratch on D2L than migrate from Moodle courses. Conversion process creates several broken links, renamed files, reordering of files and quiz questions. On bulk conversions (e.g., several courses at once) there seems to be a forced stop, where several courses are not converted or even partially converted. IT Services has submitted these problems, which have been escalated above the D2L Help Desk. Team asked how we can leverage negative feedback on these conversions to have continued support for Moodle; there is still no turn off' date for Moodle.
      • Accessibility Work Group
        • Regarding the Penn State lawsuit, LESC supports an ad hoc task force to create a set of policies for accessibility, but doesn't feel it is the appropriate body to lead or regulate. LaPorte is going to approach Werner about setting up a university task force to look at guidelines vs. policies and try to figure out who should be tasked with implementation and enforcement. With or without such a task force, the work group could begin a list of systems to audit for accessibility, akin to a self-assessment, which might be used as a framework for future implementations.
    • Branch Campus Report (O'Neil)
      • O'Neil brought up the issue of Adobe updates and problems it was causing at Northpointe.
    • Distance learning & Continuing Ed (Anspacher)
      • Hoping to get more participation in Moodle to D2L conversions.
      • There will be an open house at the library on Feb. 24 to showcase available resources and expertise for instruction and instructional technology.
  • Action Team Reports
    • Optical Test Scoring Action Team (McElroy)
      • The new test scoring system is active and seems to be well received. McElroy presented a Lunch and Learn' to the Nursing department, and two tutorial workshops' will be hosted in Delaney in early March.
    • Collaboration System Action Team (Cunningham)
      • The team has been looking at core requirements for a system and are developing an evaluation tool. They wish to get more input so that they can look at various available options to meet needs, then look at costs and implementation feasibility.
  • New Business
    • Digital Alternatives to Textbooks
      • This was previously discussed during the CIO and E.T. portions above. We're still looking at digital repository options and trying to decide the best options, but no firm choices have yet been made.
    • ACPAC Innovation Grants
      • Lloyd and Nate will sent out a call for grant proposals in late February or early March. All of last year's recipients have been paid. Because of the delay in payment, last year's winners will present their findings in 2013 rather than 2012 during Research Appreciation Week.
  • Old Business:
    • None

The next meeting will be March 21, 2012.

Meeting adjourned at 4:35

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