I.  Executive Summary

Plan Contents

The Paradise Valley Community College Technology Coordinating Team (TCT) designed the 2004 revised technology plan as a living document.  Some components of the document will be revised and updated on an annual basis (such as, the Summary of Current Inventory Replacement Schedule).  Because goal achievement depends on funding, annual review of objectives will need to be conducted to make sure that available funds are targeted toward the technology priorities.  Other portions of the document will be revised to coincide with the college's established strategic planning process (for instance, three-year goal review; three-year summary of projected technology needs; three-year projections for new technology funding).  Every division of the plan will be reviewed and modified within a three-year period from the time it was published.

The plan is designed to serve four primary functions:

1.      to orient all faculty and staff regarding the context and content of technology planning at the college;

2.      to provide the Technology Coordinating Team, strategic planning team, division chairpersons, and administration with an operational philosophy and assumptions, a detailed needs statement and analysis regarding the status of technology at the college for the ensuing three-year period;

3.      to link the Technology Coordinating Team to other college and district initiatives (for example, employee and organizational development, Ocotillo, strategic planning); and,

4.      to provide district planners with information about college technology directions as a basis for districtwide planning and fiscal initiatives.

The document provides a brief history of technology and technology planning at the college. More importantly, the document links technology to the college's paramount goal: becoming a learning-centered institution. Major components of this plan include

• key planning assumptions;
• the role of the Technology Coordinating Team;
• the college's current three-year goals for technology and specific objectives for 2004-2007;
• summaries (estimates) of funding requirements for both a stable enrollment and expanded enrollment/programming;
• a summary for current inventory replacement needs;
• an outline of capital facilities planning projects
• a criteria sheet on replacement priorities

Finally, the document provides detailed reference documents in its appendices. Among these documents is the PVCC Information Technology Policy, the Maricopa’s Computing Resource Standards, a bibliography of research and reference documents used to develop goals and guide training initiatives.

This content allows the casual user, college strategic planners, and district analysts to obtain information necessary to fulfill their varied needs.

Summary Statements

The plan incorporates the following critical statements:

1.      Learning is the core component of PVCC's mission.

2.      Strategic planning and technology implementation are seen  as evolving and continually improving processes at the college

3.      Technology and technology training are important tools used to maximize student and employee learning at Paradise Valley Community College.

4.      The Technology Coordinating Team (TCT) functions as an important subcommittee of the college's Strategic Planning Team.

5.      The TCT will identify strategic initiatives, identify and resolve technology related issues and offer solutions to problems, conduct research and propose alternative answers to questions raised about technology within the college community.  The TCT will communicate with the college community about technology and technologically related issues on a continuing basis.

6.      Major strategic issues include the prudent use of limited resources to meet increasing demands, linking technology to the college's learning initiative, and  providing faculty and staff with training and development in the appropriate uses of technology for learning.

7.      If the college were to replace all existing technologically related equipment, the cost would be $4,700,000 (approximate).

8.      Needed replacement of technology-related equipment over a three-year period would entail approximate expenses of $1,410,000 in year one; $1,410,000 in year two; and $1,880,000 in year three.

9.      PVCC will require $2,168,445 over the next three years (2004-2007) to accommodate technological needs due to growth and new program initiatives.

10.  The college must implement sophisticated replacement plans which maximize the use of each piece of equipment over a period of three to seven years.

Synopsis

Using technology to effectively support and improve the learning process is a central theme for technology planning at Paradise Valley Community College.  In a period of expanded enrollment and new programming, already limited resources will become ever more constrained.  Therefore, the college must continually reassess and improve its assumptions, databases, and planning mechanisms to assure that every expenditure for technology produces maximum efficiency and effectiveness in the years to come.

The Technology Coordinating Team will play a central role in this process.  As a subcommittee of the College Strategic Planning Team, the team will identify technology initiatives and issues, perform research, assess the use of technology and the relevance to learning, and sponsor and engage the college community in discussions regarding the many facets of technology.

Current funding circumstances will force an annual review of priorities to ensure our limited dollars are spent to achieve the largest impact.  Since our allocation from the last bond initiative has expired, the college now operates on approximately $200,000 less per year in technology funds.   Continuous review and revision is imperative to give the TCT practical information upon which to make decisions.

The ultimate goal of the Technology Coordinating Team is to ensure that technology is used to help our entire college community be more effective in the learning process.