CLARA BARTON SCHOOL OF NURSING

This evaluation is a complete review of needed technology changes at the college. It was collected and written by Aaron Nelson, MLS during December 2012.

Technology Evaluation Report

Table of Contents
Demographics of Clara Barton Staff and Students ................................................................................... 3 Technology Issues ..................................................................................................................................... 5 Rankings ........................................................................................................................................................ 6 Administrative Filter: Islands of Technology Stage .................................................................................. 6 Policy: Behavioral-Islands ..................................................................................................................... 6 Policy: Resource/Infrastructure-Island ................................................................................................. 6 Planning: Behavioral-Islands ................................................................................................................. 6 Planning: Resource/Infrastructure-Integrated ..................................................................................... 6 Budget: Behavioral-Islands ................................................................................................................... 6 Budget: Resource/Infrastructure-Emergent ......................................................................................... 6 Administrative Information: Behavioral-Integrated ............................................................................. 7 Administrative Information: Resource/Infrastructure-Integrated ....................................................... 7 Curricular Filter: Intelligent ...................................................................................................................... 8 Electronic Information: Behavioral-Intelligent ..................................................................................... 8 Electronic Information: Resource/Infrastructure-Intelligent................................................................ 8 Assessment: Behavioral-Intelligent...................................................................................................... 8 Assessment: Resource/Infrastructure-Intelligent ................................................................................. 8 Curricular Integration: Behavioral-Intelligent ...................................................................................... 9 Curricular Integration: Resource/Infrastructure-Intelligent ................................................................ 9 Teacher Use: Behavioral-Intelligent...................................................................................................... 9 Teacher Use: Resource/Infrastructure-Intelligent ................................................................................ 9 Student Use: Behavioral-Intelligent ...................................................................................................... 9 Student Use: Resource/Infrastructure-Intelligent ................................................................................ 9 Support Filter: Summary ......................................................................................................................... 10 Stake Holder Involvement: Behavioral-Islands .................................................................................. 10 Stake Holder Involvement: Resource/Infrastructure-Islands ............................................................. 10 Administrative Support: Behavioral-Islands ...................................................................................... 10 Administrative Support: Resource/Infrastructure-Island .................................................................. 10 Training: Behavioral-Islands ............................................................................................................... 10 Training: Resource/Infrastructure-Islands .......................................................................................... 10 Technical /Infrastructure Support: Behavioral-Integrated ................................................................. 10

Technical/Infrastructure Support: Resource/Infrastructure-Integrated ............................................ 11 Connectivity Filter: Summary ................................................................................................................. 12 Local Area Networking: Behavioral-Integrated.................................................................................. 12 Local Area Networking: Resource/Infrastructure-Integrated ............................................................. 12 District Area Networking-Behavioral-Integrated ................................................................................ 12 District Area Networking-Resource/Infrastructure-Integrated .......................................................... 12 Internet Access-Behavioral-Integrated ............................................................................................... 12 Internet Access-Resource/Infrastructure-Intelligent .......................................................................... 12 Communication Systems-Behavioral-Intelligent ................................................................................ 12 Communication Systems-Resource/Infrastructure-Intelligent ........................................................... 12 Innovation Filter: Summary .................................................................................................................... 13 New Technologies: Behavioral-Islands ............................................................................................... 13 New Technologies: Resource/Infrastructure-Islands.......................................................................... 13 Comprehensive Technologies: Behavior-Islands ............................................................................... 13 Comprehensive Technologies: Resource/Infrastructure-Islands ........................................................ 13 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................... 14

Demographics of Clara Barton Staff and Students

Our organization consists of many different kinds of learning base. The faculty is split into two groups within the organizationadministrative and faculty grouping. The administrative part of the school includes a director, a campus administrator, a registrar, a financial aid director, a marketer, an admissions advisor, and a secretary. The librarian and technology specialist is also included in the administrative side of the school. On the other end of the school, the faculty consists of a Nursing Director, Clinical Director, and four directors. All of the directors, faculty members, and administrators have received degrees in higher education. Most of the staff, including the top administration, has degrees in nursing. Only one member of the staff, the library specialist, has a degree where he is trained to teach many of the emerging technologies. As the chart shows, many staff members are mid-career to retirement. The age ranges within these two groups range from 45-73. There has been some hesitancy among faculty members to embrace certain technological applications. Training has been especially difficult.

Age Demographics of Clara Barton School Staff

20-35 35-45 45-55 55-75

Age Demographics of Clara Barton Students

20-30 30-45 46-55 56-75

Technology Issues
Acceptance and the use of technology has been a challenge. While there has been great effort on many by many faculty members, there is much hesitancy among others. The technology specialist has been met with comments such as, Why do I need this? Im ready to retire; I dont have time to learn all of this stuff. On the other hand, most faculty members have been very open to integrating technology into their courses. This has led to many innovations within the college. Podcasts, I-Pad applications, and other future technologies are beginning to be requested by students. This demand from students has led to a few trainings on technology issues. In fact, the reason why the librarian was brought in was to integrate technology into the campus. His job is to train faculty with many of the complicated applications that are present in on-line courses. The campus has adopted Canvas by Instructure as its LMS (Learning Management System). There are many advantages of this LMS. So far, faculty is very impressed with Canvas and has no desire to change LMS services. Bringing the administrative part of the school into greater technology awareness has also been a problem. Most of the faculty and students communicate via Canvas. Whereas, the administration relies on e-mail, telephone calls, etc. Often the librarian is used to link the two sides together. Training staff at certain technological applications has also been difficult. While many training dates have been set, many of these sessions have been pushed back or igno red.

Rankings
Administrative Filter: Islands of Technology Stage
Overall, Clara Barton School of Nursing ranks as Islands of Technology Stage as it pertains to the Administrative Filter. While computers are an integral part of Clara Barton School, budgetary visibility is evident within the school. This comes down to administration decisions over such policies that influence the technological direction of the school. Currently, extensive planning and policy is being implemented into the school. Also, because the school is not accredited by the main nursing accreditation departments, student admissions have faltered. This has caused evident budgetary problems, which in effect hurt technological services. Its also worth noting that under new direction of administration, Clara Barton is headed towards a higher level of maturity within the administrative filter. Improving technology is one of the main goals of the current Campus Director.
Policy: Behavioral-Islands Policy has recently been formalized. Where we have problems is helping the whole staff grasp onto the recent policies. Naturally with more time and training we hope to improve in this area. Policy: Resource/Infrastructure-Island As mentioned before, we are also improving and revising many of our past policies. Through our accreditation process that we are currently going through, we are articulating these policies better. For this reason, I am ranking us an Islands Stage. We are well on our way to articulating a mature policy, but we arent quite there. Planning: Behavioral-Islands Formal planning has taken place, but it is isolated to certain projects mostly in the faculty side. While this makes sense, parts of the administrative side have been disconnected from the planning efforts. Planning: Resource/Infrastructure-Integrated Though our comprehensive technology plan hasnt received a formal review, there is definitely a connection to our planning effort. Budget: Behavioral-Islands Technology is at the forefront of the goals of Clara Barton School; however, simple resourcing is the reality at the school. With more students, funds will become available for the desired goals. Budget: Resource/Infrastructure-Emergent Little budget is allocated for technology at Clara Barton School.

Administrative Information: Behavioral-Integrated The administrative systems are utilized by most of the staff. We use a very high tech copy machine that scans everything into PDF and paperless files. All of the staff has been trained at the machine. However, there are still many functions that I dont even know how to use. Administrative Information: Resource/Infrastructure-Integrated Administrative systems are available to most of the staff. However, this is under review because of some issues we are having with budgetary concerns.

Curricular Filter: Intelligent

Overall, Clara Barton ranks as Intelligent when it pertains to the Curricular Filter. Being an online school, technology is essential to the operation. While there are some areas of concern, instructors have been very mindful of using technology in many ways to satisfy the needs of their students. Initially when I first filled out the Benchmarks worksheet, I ranked most of the filters as Integrated. However, when I really had time to examine and think about how essential technology was to the school operation, I changed the rankings due to the overall dependence of the operation. I think the reason why I had the rankings at Integrated was because I felt that outside factors affected the way that instructors taught and used technology. This isnt the casemainly because one of the main factors that Clara Barton School has going for it is its choice in LMS systems. Having experience with many other LMS systems (Moodle, Blackboard, etc.), I feel that Canvas was an excellent. Integrating technology into the courses is much easier for the instructors to handle. I feel that training is the essential factor that we need to improve in. However, this belongs in another filter. Electronic Information: Behavioral-Intelligent The students and staff are heavily dependent on information resources and use them daily. The University subscribes to www.lirn.net, which is the main informational resource used by students. Access is provided at the beginning of each semester. Within LIRN (Learning Informational Resource Network), students are able to access databases that help with clinicals and assignments. Electronic Information: Resource/Infrastructure-Intelligent The resources are comprehensive. Though they mostly focus on nursing and medical databases, general and non-program databases are also available. Among the most popular databases that the college subscribes to is EBSCO Host/Medical. This database includes periodicals, journals, and other scholarly material that is useful in nursing assignments. Assessment: Behavioral-Intelligent Technology is an essential part of the assessment process for students and teachers. We do all of our testing through Canvas by Instructure. This allows teachers the ability to monitor, choose high tech test tools, and grading tools. One of our most useful tools is Speed Grader. This tool takes a grading rubric and places it by the test, thus allowing the instructor to easily grade essays. Assessment: Resource/Infrastructure-Intelligent Integrated reporting and assessment tools are available for students and staff. Besides Canvas, the college also utilizes Camusvue. This tool allows participants to easily place grades into an official transcript report. The students are also capable of observing their grades throughout the program. Another important aspect to the program is our Evolve/HESI tests. These tests are designed specifically for nurses. A separate portal on certain computers is allowed for these specific tests.

Curricular Integration: Behavioral-Intelligent All technology tools and resources are available for all students and staff. All of these tools and resources are maintained by the college librarian. Curricular Integration: Resource/Infrastructure-Intelligent LIRN and interaction through Canvas are the main available resources for the students. On top of this, the college has a full-time librarian and technology specialist. The job requires the librarian to help with logistics and interaction between students. Teacher Use: Behavioral-Intelligent
The instructors job is not possible without technology. Being an online school, technology is imperative.

Teacher Use: Resource/Infrastructure-Intelligent All teachers have access to appropriate technology in their work area. Internet connections are well maintained; however, due to some budget constraints, maintaining this technology is a constant struggle. The college has had difficulty in maintaining the technology. Student Use: Behavioral-Intelligent Students use technology frequently and comprehensively. They are not able to complete the coursework without it. Through video conferencing, lectures are given. Through Canvas, our assignments are given. Through email, smart phones, e-readers, and other technology, the college cannot function without it. Student Use: Resource/Infrastructure-Intelligent All students have consistent and regular access to appropriate technologies. As technology develops, the college strives to keep up with the latest technologies.

Support Filter: Summary

Overall, Clara Barton ranks as Islands when it pertains to the Support Filter. Because we have a new administration, many of the training and technological issues have been placed on hold. While the importance and prevalence of technology is imperative to the college, right now we are dealing with more important needs. As the college grows, much more needed funds will go into upgrades, training, and planning. The main support system for technological issues is provided through the full time librarian. He, along with a hired company that comes in weekly, is the main caretakers of technological issues. The librarian mostly takes care of the maintenance and logistical caretaking of the LMS system. He also provides technological help to student in his full-time capacity.

Stake Holder Involvement: Behavioral-Islands The planning and implementation procedures, policies, and training are exclusively done by the college librarian and Campus Director. Very few of the other departments are engaged in the technological aspects of the College. This leaves a definite problem when it comes to technology. Stake Holder Involvement: Resource/Infrastructure-Islands Though there is minimal participation by staff and faculty, we do have new guidelines and policies in place that will help us implement this technological process. All groups will be represented in the implementation of technology changes within the college. Administrative Support: Behavioral-Islands So far, there is only peripheral involvement in planning, practice, and implementation. However, because of new changes at the college, this is under review and will be changed as the college grows. Administrative Support: Resource/Infrastructure-Island Because of time constraints, budget problems, and accreditation issues, the college on the administrative side hasnt allocated enough planning into the implementation process. This is going to change with a new administrator and direction of the college. Training: Behavioral-Islands Most of the faculty has participated in training activities. During the past year, we have had three separate trainings to facilitate needs on the campus. Much more training and involvement is needed in order to receive a higher ranking. Training: Resource/Infrastructure-Islands Canvas has given us formal traininghowever this was over a year and a half ago. Much formal training from experts on our LMS is needed. Technical /Infrastructure Support: Behavioral-Integrated The librarian has helped with formal and informational support with most of the technological aspects on our campus.

Technical/Infrastructure Support: Resource/Infrastructure-Integrated We do have technical assistance and support through hired help. This company comes in once a week to help with security issues, provide upgrades, and other needs.

Connectivity Filter: Summary

Overall, I would rank the college as Integrated pertaining to the Connectivity Filter. Because Clara Barton School is an online nursing school, the internet is very important to the operation. Operations are operated and controlled by an outside tech company. We are linked through Comcast. I would have ranked it as an Intelligent; however, there are many issues concerning many of our computers. This comes down to a funding issue. Local Area Networking: Behavioral-Integrated The staff use is limited to data. We are working on getting more video, voice, and other sophisticated needs. It comes down to funding. Once we get financial backing, we will be able to purchase these needs for the college. Local Area Networking: Resource/Infrastructure-Integrated There is high-speed networking to all working environments. Our LMS system is operated through the Cloud. This makes our work very easy. It also eliminates the care needed for such expensive technology services. District Area Networking-Behavioral-Integrated As with LAN, we are working on getting the highest internet capabilities. For the time being, our WAN would rank as Integrated. District Area Networking-Resource/Infrastructure-Integrated We have dedicated high speed internet. Internet Access-Behavioral-Integrated Most staff and students use the internet frequently. Where we have problems is providing a lot of the equipment to students and faculty. Often, they are relied on to provide that equipment themselves. Once we get funding, this will change. Internet Access-Resource/Infrastructure-Intelligent Direct internet access to all locations. With a small building, this is easy to accomplish. Communication Systems-Behavioral-Intelligent E-mail is an integral part of the college. Communication Systems-Resource/Infrastructure-Intelligent E-mail is provided for all staff and students.

Innovation Filter: Summary

Overall, I would rank the college as Islands pertaining to the Innovation Filter. As technology changes, it will be interesting to see how the staff adapts to these new technologies. In many ways, they are easier to adapt to and understand. For instance, in my opinion, Canvas is much easier to understand and deal with than Moodle. I believe that the livability of many of these tools will change as well. The more userfriendly a tool is, the longer it will survive in the educational field. With all of the problems that teachers deal with, easy, fun, and user-friendly technology is the demand. New Technologies: Behavioral-Islands The digital divide is alive and well at Clara Barton School of Nursing. Many technologies are fully accepted by the staff, while others are not. It usually depends on the user and the use that the certain tool has. New Technologies: Resource/Infrastructure-Islands Again, funding is a major problem with purchasing new technologies. The fact is, many of these new technologies are very expensive. The school is very picky concerning the technologies they purchase. Comprehensive Technologies: Behavior-Islands We are on our way to becoming integrated, however I consider us in the Islands stage because of where we stand financially. While we have most of the imperative technologies to run a school, we still lag the innovative ones that will make us different and better than similar schools. Comprehensive Technologies: Resource/Infrastructure-Islands The faculty is very experienced and good at using around two to three types of technologiesCanvas, Elluminate, and Microsoft Application. However, going beyond these two is very difficult. I would like to bring other technologies into the mix. Canvas makes this very easy to do. Eventually, I would like the school to purchase Panopeno (video recording service). With a lot of training, and some eventual funding, I believe this will help.

Conclusion
Overall, I would give Clara Barton School of Nursing an Islands ranking. Though I believe that we are well on our way to receiving an Integrated or Intelligent ranking, I felt that there were a few things that presently held us back from achieving this top-tiered status. For one, I kept mentioning finances as a major issue. Without funding, we arent able to buy the current best technologies. Sadly, I believe, many of our public and private schools fall into the same category as mine. Also, I felt that the interest among a few of our faculty is very low. How many of the younger generation who were raised on technology responds to the problems in education will be fascinating to watch. On the upside, I felt that we are doing a lot of things to correct past mistakes. For one, we have new leadership that is beginning to put safeguards in place. The goal is to make us a top tiered proprietary nursing school. Without the latest and greatest technology, we will never achieve this goal. With backing from many investors, we hope to implement the best technologies anywhere. I also mentioned Canvas ( http://www.instructure.com/), our choice as an LMS system. I believe that this is the best LMS system out there. The product was built with the teacher in mind. The integrations are easy to implement. The training manuals (guides.instructure.com) are easy to understand. Overall, I have heard nothing but good comments. We were the third school to purchase Canvas. So far, every school from Wharton to Brown University has adopted Canvas as their LMS. And the impressive list keeps growing. With a few changes, policies, and training, I believe Clara Barton School will improve.