Envision the Future

Envision the Future at BC Consulting provided by No Clots, LLC Mary Doyle Renee Drabier Bill Sams Doug Sharp Client: Mitch Davis

Overview Statement of the problem Background on BC Areas for development of leading edge technologies – Infrastructure – Instructional – Research Strategies Successful outcomes

Statement of the Problem Implement bleeding edge technology to raise global visibility of the institution

Background on BC Small, liberal arts, undergraduate institution – < 2,000 students Elite Nimble organization Private Culture of change Increased focus on research

Environmental Assumptions Ubiquitous connectivity Storage is free Unlimited processing power % reliability Learning delivery systems must accommodate multiple learning styles Role of library is key College has high tolerance for risk

Potential Bleeding Edge Technologies (for BC) Virtual presence Holographic, virtual reality – Haptic interfaces Virtual world Any time, any place, instant communications

Applications of Bleeding Edge Technologies Infrastructure – High-speed, global network – Converged, multi-use, multi-function devices POTS – Sensing spaces and devices (augmented reality) VoIP Convergence

Applications of Bleeding Edge Technologies Instructional technologies – Knowledge management – role of librarians – Experiential versus basic contextual teaching learning – Instructional MMRPG (just for Weldon) – Critical thinking taught through bio-feedback – Tools/templates for building virtual online environment – e-portfolios

Applications of Bleeding Edge Technologies Research – Geothermal technologies – building green environments – State-of-the-art, technology-rich music facilities to attract science students and faculty – Focus on robotics and neuroscience

Strategies Build infrastructure to support bleeding edge activities Hire faculty receptive to bleeding edge mentality Increase number of women faculty in science and technology IT organization moves from basic support to high- level support (research-friendly IT staff from support role to consulting role) Build effective communications and marketing plan to promote bleeding edge work

Strategies, continued…. Build an environment that encourages technology transfer Create an endowment for IT – all academic support becomes endowed, eventually all IT support becomes endowed Strengthen relationships with alumni Build life-long relationships through e-portfolios Establish, grow, and enhance long-term industry, academic, research, and venture capitalist partnerships

Successful Outcomes Enhanced reputation ‘Academically alive’ Intellectually challenging Financial stability for IT Superbly prepared graduates