UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX
ICT STEERING GROUP
Wednesday 10 November 2010, 2:00pm – 4:00pm
UNAPPROVED NOTES
Chair / Dr Tony Rich (TC)
Present / Dr Campbell (WC), Professor Downton (AD), Dr Fasli (MF) Miss Griffin (EG), Mr Murphy (RM), Ms Potter (VP), Mr Stock (RS), Mrs Stock (SS), Dr Virdee (SV)
Secretary / Mrs Crossman
ACTION
ICT STEERING GROUP MEMBERSHIP AND TERMS OF REFERENCE
Agreed
INFORMATION SYSTEMS STRATEGY
Noted / The importance of learning technology systems in the student experience and the need for a coherent plan for their development in conjunction with the Learning and Teaching Strategy particularly for blended learning.
Noted / The IS Strategy was written before the appointment of the New ISS Customer Services Manager and revision to the strategy should reflect this appointment.
Agreed / Director of Information Systems to incorporate the IS Strategy objectives and actions into an Action Plan table. Ensuring that each action has a time scale for completion and a person is allocated the responsibility for overseeing the action. / RM
Agreed / The IS Strategy to be revised to emphasise actions rather than discussion and working groups. / RM
Agreed / Subject to minor revisions, the IS Strategy was adopted by the ICT Steering Group and a revised version would be issued at the next meeting. / RM
Noted / The use of learning technology platforms by University partners, particularly Kaplan, for distance learning and the opportunities to learn from their experience.
IS PLAN AND BUDGET 2010/11
Noted / The importance of training for the effective use of IT facilities and tools, including Sharepoint.
Noted / IT training could be delivered in formats other than face-to-face sessions.
Agreed / The Director of Information Systems and the Direction of Human Resources, Sue Endean to discuss staff training from corporate perspective. / RM
INFORMATION REGULATION: REPORT ON 2009/10 ACTIVITIES AND UPCOMING ISSUES
Received
SERVICES MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Reported / The Director of Information Systems was planning to rework the ICT and Information aspects of the Risk Register, and would provide updated information to the Risk Management Group as well as the ICT Steering Group.
REPORTS FROM SUB-GROUP CHAIRS
Agreed / The sub-group chairs will provide regular reports on their sub-groups at the ICT Steering Group meetings. / Sub Group Chairs
NEW COMMS AND TEACHING MEDIA: OBSERVATIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Noted / The Research and Teaching Media Task Force had met and discussed a variety of digital tools and their application for teaching, learning, administration and promotion.
Noted / Cross membership of the Task Force and the ICT sub-groups would facilitate appropriate communication and sharing of ideas.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS – NATIONAL STUDENT SURVEY
Noted / The Director of Information Systems tabled a paper reporting the initial analysis of the IT facilities component of the 2010 National Student Survey.
Noted / The ISS Customer Services Manager would be investigating further and would be targeting specific areas for improvement action.
DATE OF NEXT MEETINGS
The next scheduled ICT Steering Group meetings will be held on the 16th February & 19th May 2011in the Vice-Chancellor’s Boardroom.

.

Mrs Nicola Crossman

Secretary

21 January 2011

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