Lessons Learned

LESSONS LEARNED
• PC’s are only 10% of the Challenge
(support/networks/policies/train/expo se)
• Most sunk costs can be ignored
• Expectations need management
• Develop a comprehensive plan first, and quickly match it with a multiyear financial plan
ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2000

LESSONS LEARNED
• Consulting Help is the Most Important
Gift
• Professional Project Mgt is Crucial
• Demand will increase Much Faster than
Anticipated
• Pilot Year is Essential
• Hardware & Software Decisions are separable
ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2000

LESSONS LEARNED
• Standardization pays rewards well beyond those anticipated; non-standard configurations require 3-4 times support
• Students/Faculty want specific computer training that is centered around a task-at-hand; general classes don’t work well
• Be prepared to outsource challenges
• Don’t wire to every seat
ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2000

LESSONS LEARNED
• Reliability is critical, esp. the Help Desk
• Provide academic units staff of their own
& plenty of equipment without hassle
• Improve communications; rumors fly fast
• Spread the gains from & ownership of innovation throughout all units
• Use the internet for course materials
• Use a commercial Course Mgt System
ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2000

LESSONS LEARNED
• Choose a Partner for the Long Haul
• Budget Adequate Start Up & Operating
Funds
• Place in Context of an Overall Financial
Plan
• Balance Centralized Services & Local
Control
• Place Some Funds Under Faculty Control
ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2000

Lessons Learned
• Contact becomes Continuous.
• Students expect messages between classes
• Team assignments increase
• Papers & Talks often include visuals
• Departmental clubs thrive
• Student Portfolios Emerge
• Students teach faculty
ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2000

Lessons Learned
• Computer knowledge is a boon to student recruitment, retention, selfconfidence.
• Computer knowledge is highly valued by students & prospective employers
• Computer availability throughout the student body attracts new faculty
• Computer challenged students learn basic skills quickly, without special classes
ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2000
• Disciplines use computers differently

Lessons Learned
• Greatest benefits are what happens between classes, not during classes.
• Greatest gains from computing come from
“the big three.”
• Standardization speeds faculty adoption and eases the pressure upon support staff
• Standardization saves class time.
• Student groups are larger and more active
• Faculty migrate to the student standard very quickly
ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2000

Director, Information Systems Support Services
Vice President & Dean (ICCEL)