Faculty and IT: Conversations and Collaboration

When IT staff are brought into curricular and pedagogical discussions from the outset, they can suggest comprehensive technological solutions and develop a sense of shared ownership for the successful implementation and use of the technology. In higher education, the faculty needs to change the level of the conversation to move beyond bits and bytes to pedagogy and student learning outcomes. This column proposes a framework for initiating and managing a conversation that brings IT staff and faculty members to the same table, laying a foundation to achieve richer pedagogy and leading to the greater goals of higher student engagement and achievement. Doing so involves three steps: 1. Get IT staff and faculty members in the same room. 2. Encourage conversations about student learning outcomes and information literacies that prepare students to succeed in higher education and beyond. 3. Set goals, prioritize to achieve them, and become data-driven to measure achievements.