ITS Division Meeting
Upgrades, updates and emerging projects were the focus of the Nov. 5, 2007, ITS division meeting. The various projects and initiatives, though implemented for different reasons, share the goal of providing better service to students, faculty and staff at The University of Akron. Highlights of the new technologies include an update to applications involving the University’s website, an upgrade of PeopleSoft, a consideration of an infrastructure migration, and the launching of Springboard, the WebCT replacement.
Efforts continue to explore ways to retire legacy applications. Specific programs that have high cost outsourcing will be among the first to be examined. More details concerning the plans are available here: Legacy Information.
PeopleSoft is scheduled for an upgrade to version 9. The preliminary work is already in progress and the goal is to have this new version implemented in late September 2008, which is an opportune time for incorporation because it is between registration periods. Specific goals can be found by downloading: PeopleSoft Upgrade.
Steps toward replacing WebCT are well underway. Although the process is essentially invisible to users, testing and optimization of courses is currently being completed. Plans for pedagogical training include a presentation to 120 faculty. Called “Best Practices for Teaching … with Springboard,” training sessions will be held throughout the month of November to help familiarize end users with the new software launch. Information about the efforts and status of the project are accessible here: Springboard Status.