Academic Technology Committee
The Academic Technology Committee within the Faculty Senate of the Community College of Rhode Island is committed to advancing the conscientious, effective, and equitable use of technology in teaching, learning, and scholarly initiatives across the college. We endeavor to proactively assess, formulate, and present policies and make recommendations on procedures and guidelines that benefit faculty, students, and the institution as a whole.
Members
|
Name |
Title |
Department |
Role |
|---|---|---|---|
|
David McIntyre |
Assistant Professor |
Business |
Chair |
|
Cynthia Banna |
Associate professor |
Allied and Rehab health |
Secretary |
|
Amanda Vanner |
Associate Professor |
Psychology |
|
|
Joshua Clare |
Assistant professor |
Allied and Rehab health |
|
|
Maria Hofman |
Assistant Professor |
World languages |
Goals
Goals AY 2026-2027
| Goal | Description |
|---|---|
| iPad Initiative (priority) | Collaborate with the Information Technology and Online Learning departments to solicit and identify faculty input on implementation and requirements for the pilot study targeted for Spring 2027. The committee will gather faculty input to define classroom use cases and pedagogy to make the initiative effective rather than purely a device distribution. Faculty input will be through surveys, focus groups, and pilot testing to ensure that the use of iPads in the classroom is practical, accessible, and aligned with teaching and learning priorities. |
| Blackboard Ultra Connected Tools and Integrations | Assist IT and academic departments to evaluate and integrate third-party tools (Civitas early-alert, media/video platforms, VoiceThread) via LTI connections to Blackboard Ultra. The committee will obtain faculty input regarding tools needed to streamline Blackboard Ultra for ease and accessibility. Faculty input regarding tools integrated will be through surveys, focus groups, and pilot testing to enhance faculty ease and usability. |
| 3-5 Year Plan | Develop a comprehensive 3–5 year academic technology plan that addresses evolving needs in learning spaces, classroom hardware, instructional software, and emerging tools. The committee will gather faculty input and collaborate with campus stakeholders to prioritize investments, support innovative teaching practices, and ensure technology resources remain current and effective. |
Meeting Dates, Agendas and Minutes
|
Date |
Agenda |
Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| September 18, 8:15 AM | Agenda | |
| October 16, 8:15 AM | Agenda | |
Contact Information
Christine Lynch
President
Andrew Goodman
Vice-President
Sarah Beseme
Secretary