Professor Green's most recent article is forthcoming in Change Magazine, and is titled "Great Expectations: Content, Communications, Productivity, and the Role of Information Technology in Higher Education." An on line copy of this paper is available at <http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~jqj/edtech/great_expectations.html>. From the abstract:
This article argues that there are many good reasons for colleges and universities to continue investing in using information resources and technology for teaching and learning; but that increasing INSTITUTIONAL productivity in a few years is not among them.In addition to his lecture at 3:30, Green will also be available for informal discussion at a coffee hour in the Faculty Club, 9:30-11:00am April 26. If you are interested in meeting with Prof. Green on April 26, contact Georgeanne Cooper, <mailto:gcooper@oregon>.
The AAHE (American Association for Higher Education) describes its Summer Institute:
Join colleagues from a wide variety of institutions in discussing, planning, and building the future role of information technology and information resources on campus. Exchange information with representatives from industry; learn to evaluate the impact of information technology on teaching and learning; and develop more effective strategies for supporting faculty efforts to integrate information resources and technologies into teaching and learning at your own institution.The Faculty Consultants Network budget for 1995-96 also includes a small amount of money available to support members in attending conferences relevant to the application of educational technology. If you are interested in attending such a conference, please contact JQ Johnson.
As part of its initiatives to promote the appropriate application of information technology in support of the curriculum on campus, the University of Oregon has established a New Media Center. The Center is located in the Riverfront Research Park, in space rented by Dynamix, who has agreed to cooperate with the University in this endeavor.
We will hold a kick-off general meeting (in the still all but empty space) on 18 April for all faculty and staff interested in the success of this facility.Mission Statement
The mission of the New Media Center (NMC) is to encourage actively and support technically the production and appropriate use of information technology across the curriculum.
Planned Activities
WHAT IF PEOPLE BOUGHT CARS LIKE THEY BUY COMPUTERS?
General Motors doesn't have a "help line" for people who don't know how to drive, because people don't buy cars like they buy computers -- but imagine if they did . . .
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HELPLINE: "General Motors HelpLine, how can I help you?"
CUSTOMER: "I got in my car and closed the door, and nothing happened!"
HELPLINE: "Did you put the key in the ignition slot and turn it?"
CUSTOMER: "What's an ignition?"
HELPLINE: "It's a starter motor that draws current from your battery and turns over the engine."
CUSTOMER: "Ignition? Motor? Battery? Engine? How come I have to know all of these technical terms just to use my car?"
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HELPLINE: "General Motors HelpLine, how can I help you?"
CUSTOMER: "My car ran fine for a week, and now it won't go anywhere!"
HELPLINE: "Is the gas tank empty?"
CUSTOMER: "Huh? How do I know!?"
HELPLINE: "There's a little gauge on the front panel, with a needle, and markings from 'E' to 'F.' Where is the needle pointing?"
CUSTOMER: "It's pointing to 'E.' What does that mean?"
HELPLINE: "It means that you have to visit a gasoline vendor, and purchase some more gasoline. You can install it yourself, or pay the vendor to install it for you."
CUSTOMER: "What!?" I paid $12,000. for this car! Now you tell me that I have to keep buying more components? I want a car that comes with everything built in!"
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HELPLINE: "General Motors HelpLine, how can I help you?
CUSTOMER: "Your cars suck!"
HELPLINE: "What's wrong?"
CUSTOMER: "It crashed, that's what went wrong!"
HELPLINE: "What were you doing?"
CUSTOMER: "I wanted to run faster, so I pushed the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor. It worked for a while, and then it crashed -- and now it won't start!"
HELPLINE: "It's your responsibility if you misuse the product. What do you expect us to do about it?"
CUSTOMER: "I want you to send me one of the latest version that doesn't crash anymore!"
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HELPLINE: "General Motors HelpLine, how can I help you?"
CUSTOMER: "Hi! I just bought my first car, and I chose your car because it has automatic transmission, cruise control, power steering, power brakes, and power door locks."
HELPLINE: "Thanks for buying our car. How can I help you?"
CUSTOMER: "How do I work it?"
HELPLINE: "Do you know how to drive?"
CUSTOMER: "Do I know how to what?"
HELPLINE: "Do you know how to drive?"
CUSTOMER: "I'm not a technical person! I just want to go places in my car!"