Present: T. Waters, S. Lyon, K. Kelly (co-chair), P. Beeson, D. Davis, A. Blair, S. Sereika, N. Laudato, J. Erlen (co-chair)

Topic Discussion/Action

Call to order The meeting was called to order at 12:05 p.m. by J. Erlen.

Minutes of February 26, 2008 meeting

Minutes of March 25, 2008 meeting Sentence beginning "Suggestions were to also put and on the Pitt homepage" was amended by adding "in the future." Approved as amended.

Approved as circulated.

Recommendations regarding Blackboard and newer versions Nick Laudato stated that the old courseweb server will be disabled May 5, 2008 and courses will be extracted and archived. If a course has not migrated to 7.0, it will be stored on a CIDDE server until the end of 2008. Blackboard system can be extended by using "Building Blocks." Blackboard speed is affected by the volume of usage. The newer version is more reliable as the old system had some corruption in some of the components. The issue of the dropbox was addressed. There has been some misunderstanding with the save/submit functions and student assignments.

In regard to Version 8, CIDDE probably will not deploy .0 versions because of potential problems. Now is probably the time to begin examining version 8. When CSSD has a server available at the end of May, CIDDE can probably test Version 8. This version probably has a better gradebook.

With Version 7 an important point is that the entire structure was redone. CIDDE still has not done the University content and the e-portfolio capabilities.

Version 9 will incorporate webCT which may be problematic because it bundles everything.

It will be important to set up a plan for how future upgrades will be introduced.

Strategic planning re: instructional technology CSSD has a technology plan; however, what is the instructional technology plan. The IT Consortium of which Pitt is a member discusses such issues and basically focuses on what are the best practices. The group meets two times each year and addresses issues such as the use of open source. Pitt faculty can find information on information technology in the Teaching Times and through webcasts. Virtual capabilities are now being discussed. Streaming services and web conferencing are on the horizon for Pitt. At present there is no overall plan for IT; however, there are short-term plans. At an early fall 2008 meeting, N. Laudato will provide an update on IT for the Committee.

Issues regarding OMET OMET is in transition given the retirement of C. Baker. CIDDE is looking into this. Some of the IT Consortium members use on-line surveys for evaluation. This would fit with the green sustainability initiative.

OMET discussion needs to continue to address the question of student evaluations when the students are at a distance; the paper-pencil version of the form does not work.

Adjournment and next meeting The next meeting will be held in early Fall. The meeting was adjourned at 12:50 p.m.

Submitted by,

Judith A. Erlen,

Co-chair and recorder