Progress Report II: Technology Master Plan 2001-04 (PDF format; size: 236 KB) 
This Progress Report provides a brief summary of the projects and activities that have been completed towards meeting the goals of the plan as of November, 2004.

Planning for Higher Education Article (PDF format; size: 487 KB) 
Copyright 2002 by Society for College and University Planning (www.scup.org). Reprinted with permission. This article originally appeared in Planning for Higher Education 31(1): 5-14.

In 1999 Diablo Valley College (DVC) established its commitment to the future when it developed an institutional Strategic Plan. The plan focused on five critical areas to the college: 

• excellence in teaching and learning
• support services for students
• establishment of public and private partnerships in the community
• planning and evaluation, and
• maintenance of a solid college infrastructure. 

Technology was defined broadly to include both instructional and informational technologies and was recognized as an integral element in support of these critical areas.  Thus, strategic planning for technology has been a priority in defining how DVC can achieve its goals. (Appendix A)

In 2001, a process was begun to develop a master plan specific to technology. The college recognizes that the purpose of technology strategic planning is to align the framework of campus technology support with institutional goals, directions, and priorities and to bring about an ongoing process that will continually assess the relationship between these two. The process is an endeavor to identify how we use technology at the college, how we wish to use it and, lastly, how to make a successful transition from one to the other. The scope of the plan is not limited to the Information Technology and Services department.  The scope is college-wide, with a particular focus on student needs. 

Charge of the Information Technology Committee

To make strategic planning and policy recommendations for campus computing, networking, and instructional technology applications. This committee is responsible for developing and overseeing the DVC Technology Master Plan.

Responsibility for the Technology Master Plan 2001-2004 is under the charge of the DVC Information Technology Committee. Because Diablo Valley College is committed to a dynamic and inclusive planning process, the Information Technology Committee expanded its membership to form the Technology Master Plan Task Force. The Task Force was comprised of additional administration, faculty, classified staff, and student members who met over a four-month period for five half-day sessions.  In addition, input was solicited from various student and employee focus groups. The constituency groups were given opportunity to review the planning document at various stages of its development and provide feedback. The Information Technology Committee has fulfilled its charge by initiating and completing the process to develop a Technology Master Plan at DVC.

For the development of the Technology Master Plan 2001-2004, technology was defined as any and all instructional and informational technologies that are used for curriculum and operational purposes. The plan focused on what DVC needs to “do” with technology rather than on what technology DVC needs to “buy.” Within the context of internal and external environments that are continually subject to change, the plan seeks to provide guidelines for future decisions and for an effective management strategy while establishing the philosophy and direction for technology use within the college. As part of its ongoing plan development activities, the Task Force verified that the plan is aligned with the overall strategic planning efforts of Diablo Valley College, the Contra Costa Community College District, and the California Community College Technology II Plan.  

The Technology Master Plan 2001-2004 was developed by using a modification of the organizational transition methodology described in Organizational Transitions, 2nd edition (1987), by Beckhard and Harris.  This methodology is based upon the principle that a core dilemma is how to maintain stability in organizations and, at the same time, “provide creative adaptation to outside forces; stimulate innovation; and change assumptions, technology, working methods, roles and responsibilities, and the culture of the organization itself.”  (p. 1)

The planning approach adapted for use by DVC began with the creation of an idealized vision of how the use of technology would add value in support of the college's mission, philosophy, and goals. This vision, the basis for the Technology Vision Statement, described several aspects of an ideal campus environment where technology was effectively being used. 

In this idealized vision, the "digital divide" is reduced, and technology is more accessible to all constituencies.  Classified staff and administration use technology to support students in such a way that they have open access to learning experiences and college services at any time and any place. Faculty are innovative in their use of technology in ways that both enhance student learning and facilitate community connections on campus. A high degree of human contact is maintained even while college services and processes are becoming increasingly automated.

The planning process continued with development of guiding principles or value statements which are simple, direct statements that describe what is determined to be good practice. These statements are the fundamental criteria against which the college is prepared to make decisions regarding the acquisition and application of technology. The Task Force then brainstormed a group of planning assumptions (Appendix B) that detail the environment in which the college currently exists. These are intended to reflect the internal and external environmental factors that have a bearing on the development and implementation of DVC’s technology plans.  Finally, goals and strategies were developed along with an implementation grid identifying the responsible parties for completing each of the strategies and activities.

The existing governance structure for information technology was affirmed and utilized during this process and will play a key role in overseeing the annual review of the Technology Master Plan which will result in modified goals, strategies and objectives as planning assumptions change and are updated.

Technology Vision Statement

Diablo Valley College uses technology to support learning and instruction, enhance educational opportunities, personalize student services, and provide effective administrative processes to meet the changing needs of the college community.

The successful application of technology at Diablo Valley College will:

1. foster student success through the use of technology.
2. provide all students access to technological resources across social, economic, and physical barriers.
3. consider ease-of-use in the adoption of any new technology.
4. encourage and support creative and innovative uses of technology.
5. be proactive in the application of technological solutions.
6. require collaborative input in technology decision-making.
7. be implemented along with appropriate technical support staff to meet the demands of the new technology resources and programs.
8. support the economic and workforce development goals of the college.
9. recognize the need to provide ongoing training and support opportunities for faculty and staff to effectively use technology.
10. maintain, monitor, and manage technology performance standards to meet the infrastructure needs of the college community.
11. maximize resources to provide for the highest quality technology systems and support.
12. support the college mission.

1. Student Access: Provide access to learning opportunities and college support services through the use of technology.
2. Curriculum: Increase the use of instructional technology in the curriculum.
3. Professional Development: Ensure the successful use of technology through ongoing staff development opportunities for all employees.
4. Virtual Community: Use technology to foster a sense of community on campus.
5. Planning: Ensure efficient and effective use of technology resources through planning.
6. Technical Support: Provide high quality technology support for all instructional programs and administrative services.
7. Network Infrastructure and Services: Leverage network resources and services to meet current and future technology and information needs.
8. Computer Labs: Provide and support computer labs to meet student needs.
9. Equipment: Provide technology equipment to meet the needs of DVC.
10. Outreach: Collaborate and share technological resources with the outside community.

Below are DVC’s Technology Goals and Strategies for 2001-2004.  Goals are long-term, major targets related to the success of the college. Strategies are activities and resource allocations designed to achieve the long-term goals. These goal statements and strategies are based on the technology vision, guiding principles and planning assumptions.  

Below are DVC’s Technology Goals and Strategies for 2001-2004.  Goals are long-term, major targets related to the success of the college. Strategies are activities and resource allocations designed to achieve the long-term goals. These goal statements and strategies are based on the technology vision, guiding principles and planning assumptions.  

STUDENT ACCESS

Strategies:
1.1 Provide personalized online access to student support services.
1.2 Provide an email communication system to reach all students.
1.3 Provide student ID cards that can be used for multiple purposes.
1.4 Provide dedicated resources for classroom video conferencing.
1.5 Utilize technology to deliver library and information resources to users on and off campus.
1.6 Utilize technology to provide instructional materials and student services for students with disabilities.

CURRICULUM    

Strategies:
2.1 Infuse technology into the traditional classroom and laboratory setting to support enhanced student learning.
2.2 Improve distance learning opportunities.
2.3 Provide opportunities for students to achieve an appropriate skill level in information and technology competence.
2.4 Motivate faculty to integrate technology into the curriculum.
2.5 Motivate faculty to integrate accessible technologies into the curriculum.
2.6 Inform the DVC community of the technology used and required in courses.
2.7 Better utilize student workers to provide an overall instructional technology support system.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Strategies:
3.1 Provide basic technology orientation and training for new employees.
3.2 Increase the number and types of technology training opportunities.
3.3 Provide faculty training on the best pedagogical use of instructional technology.
3.4 Provide discipline-specific technology training.

VIRTUAL COMMUNITY

Strategies:
4.1 Use technology to improve communication between part-time instructors and the college community.
4.2 Build a DVC online community with content that is useful, informative, engaging, easy and fun.
4.3 Provide intranet resources for students, staff and faculty.

PLANNING

Strategies:
5.1 Develop operational plans as needed to achieve the goals and strategies of this Technology Master Plan.
5.2 Improve the planning process for technology infrastructure for new and renovated facilities.
5.3 Develop a plan for more effectively managing and staffing computer labs.
5.4 Formalize technology project development and implementation processes.
5.5 Develop an annual review process to continually assess the current and future needs of technology of DVC.
5.6 Develop technology use policies for faculty, staff and students as needed.
5.7 Improve administrative services and processes through new applications of technology.
5.8 Identify and implement ways to conserve energy for technology use.
5.9 Provide adequate and stable funding for technology.
5.10 Explore potential funding for a centralized technology center.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Strategies:
6.1 Meet the Support Baseline Standards of the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) recommendations in the California Community
Colleges Technology II Strategic Plan 2000-2005 to achieve improved technology staffing levels. (Appendix C)
6.2 Provide live call-in technical support at the Help Desk.
6.3 Create a multi-faceted technology support system.
6.4 Better utilize students to provide an overall technical support system.
6.5 Define the roles and relationships of DVC technology and District technology staff positions.
6.6 Keep job descriptions and compensation up to date to reflect changing technologies.

NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE & SERVICES

Strategies:
7.1 Keep website current to meet the changing needs of DVC.
7.2 Upgrade network to support high bandwidth applications.
7.3 Provide streaming audio/video and desktop videoconferencing services.
7.4 Provide organized file services for individuals and organizational units.
7.5 Improve network security.
7.6 Provide a web-based course development and archival system of all course outlines.
7.7 Explore employee options for access to information resources for telecommuting.
7.8 Explore universal mailbox services for potential use by the campus community whereby email, voicemail, and faxes go to one location.

COMPUTER LABS

Strategies:
8.1 Ensure open computer labs have software installed that meet the needs of students.
8.2 Optimize lab operations and hours to match program requirements and student needs.
8.3 Provide access to assistive technology for students with disabilities in computer labs and in the library.
8.4 Communicate current information about technology services and lab hours to all students.

EQUIPMENT

Strategies:
9.1 Meet the Personal Computer Baseline Standards recommendations of the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for Student, Faculty, Managerial and Classified Staff as outlined in the September 2000 California Community Colleges Technology II Strategic Plan. (Appendix D)
9.2 Develop plans for the systematic addition and replacement of technology equipment.
9.3 Provide appropriate technology to stay current with industry practices and transfer institutions.
9.4 Maintain up-to-date hardware and software standards.
9.5 Improve multimedia resources in student open labs.
9.6 Improve multimedia resources in classrooms.

OUTREACH

Strategies:
10.1 Develop a one-stop interface with the business community to facilitate training and re-training, internships, and entry level jobs for DVC technology students.
10.2 Encourage collaboration with other educational institutions to share technology expertise and resources.
10.3 Leverage new technology resources through industry partnerships.
10.4 Conduct community outreach for DVC technology programs.

The technology strategic planning process described in this document enables Diablo Valley College to focus attention on how technology can and should be used to further its mission, philosophy, and goals. There are several key factors that will make possible a successful implementation of the plan. 

The Information Technology and Services office at DVC has primary responsibility for ensuring that the institution’s overall mission and objectives for the use of technology are achieved. A mission statement was developed to clearly describe the role of this department to provide leadership, technical expertise, and technical support services for the college. The office consists of 21 full-time equivalent staff positions in three departments, Computer Services, Media Services, and the Computer Center. (Appendix E) 

A clearly documented and communicated governance structure is a critical factor for the implementation of a Technology Master Plan.  There is a need to develop and implement a communication plan that provides for distribution of the Technology Master Plan through many channels.  The Information Technology Committee should take the lead in this endeavor and be actively involved in both information dissemination and in gathering feedback to the plan from the various college constituencies.

The Implementation Grid that follows indicates the parties that have major input or responsibility for implementation of each of the technology strategies identified during this planning process. Typically it will be the responsibility of these individuals or groups to develop the annual operating plans and appropriate budget requests for each of the strategies.

Finally, in order for this process to be truly successful, DVC must develop a process to actively review this plan on an annual basis. This process should revisit the planning assumptions and measure the college’s accomplishments against the Technology Master Plan. A modified implementation grid should be constructed as planning assumptions are updated and corresponding goals, strategies, and objectives are modified. This type of ongoing process will ensure that the Technology Master Plan remains current and is tied to the college technology goals and strategies.