Input provided by: CIO/UTSB, CTIR, STAC, TTFAC

Key Objectives

Improve teaching and learning by funding instructional technology initiatives that contribute to: 

1.    Anytime/anywhere teaching and learning.  Examples include:

• Applications, e.g., Smart phone, iTunes, Blackboard Mobile
• Podcast/Classroom Capture
• Infrastructure/Wireless

2.    Global collaboration and learning.  Examples include:

• On-line synchronous communication tools
• Language translation technology
• Ubiquitous access

3.    Facilitating human interaction for exploration and understanding. Examples include:

• Computer simulation
• Educational gaming
• Virtual reality

4.    Accessible Learning, to ensure the broadest accommodation in meeting diverse teaching and learning needs. Examples include:

• Universal/inclusive design techniques
• Assistive technologies
• Textbook affordability

5.    The use of technologies that assist with the organization, management, comprehension and enrichment of resources for instruction. Examples include:

• Training programs
• Licensing
• Tools and resources

6.    New initiatives for Teaching/Learning.  Examples include:

• Emerging technologies

Factors for the Evaluation Process

1. Proposals must be in alignment with the updated Technology Fee Guiding Principles document.
2. Evaluation criteria should be applied consistently and equitably
3. Special consideration should be given to proposals which provide funding matches and/or provide revenue producing/sharing opportunities
4. Proposals will be evaluated based on the following guidelines for the subject areas:

• The technology fee should not fund the integration of technology into new building classrooms or the replacement/upgrade of equipment in existing classrooms. 
• Proposals will be considered that involve the conversion of dedicated space to a classroom, centrally scheduled by the Space and Scheduling Office(s), and only for technology that meets the standard baseline level. 
• Equipping of new buildings and enhancements for replacement/upgrade will need to be funded by the department, school, or campus.
• Where standards have been developed that would require migration of equipment to meet those standards, all equipment will be eligible.

• We will not fund PC or PC replacements.  Additionally, we will not recommend funding mobile carts, as they are an extension of PC replacements.
• Emphasis should be similar to other leading institutions that are attempting to move away from open use labs.  Though an argument can be made that a new machine is an enhancement, fundamentally it is only a replacement of a capability.  We should focus on those things that provide new enhancements.
• Clearly the wave of the future is about virtualization of labs with cloud access.  Accordingly, we will fund virtualized delivery of applications within the standards and migration plans associated with achieving this goal.
• We will only support general use environments not specialized ones which should be available for common use and scheduling.
• Where standards have been developed that would require migration of equipment to meet those standards, all equipment will be eligible.

• General wireless network access enhancements expanded to academic and student activity areas.  Final coverage areas shall be agreed to by faculty and student leadership, respectively.
• Cell phone coverage enhancements would also be considered.

• The Guiding Principles already state that “Project proposals designed for the enhancement of individual courses, classrooms, laboratories, or other program-specific functions will receive low priority, because other fees usually provide support for these purposes..”
• Proposals which are limited to specific courses or areas would have to make a very strong case that other funding alternatives are not applicable.

• Proposals which provide enhancement of instruction will be positively viewed. 
• Proposals should not include payment of stipends to faculty for attendance in such training. 
  
• Proposals which are purely research based would not be funded since the technology fee does not provide for funding of research projects.