It was planned that by 2002, the ratio of FTE students to computers would be 5:1 and that appropriate equipment would be available for teaching in all curriculum areas. 75% of college learners would have access through the college intranet to ILT and teaching resources by 2002. The document stated that the college was 'unlikely to achieve a target of one computer for each full time permanent staff member by 2002' but aimed to have 2:1 desktops and on-demand access via laptops. Internet/intranet access should be provided at desktops by July 2001. Equipment specifications were to be prepared annually in consultation with curriculum heads, and the document includes the 2000 minimum specification as well as information on network development, technical service levels, security and sustainability. As noted in the 2001 ILT strategy update, technology provision had now exceeded the original target and reached a ratio of 4.5:1 and other technology such as interactive whiteboards had been added. However, it was also noted that a significant amount of technology product and service requirements had emerged across the college and it was recognised that these needed to be formulated more effectively and prioritised.
A 2001 ILT strategy update notes that the college had purchased a VLE and had found it easy to use and useful as a means to learn about their technical requirements ? and specifically about issues relating to interoperability with other college IT systems.
However, the supplier of the VLE had gone out of business and, while the intention was to continue to use the system in the short term, it clearly pointed to the need to learn from the experience and seek a new VLE system.
In 2004, the college purchased a new information portal, Microsoft Sharepoint known within the college as 'ERIC' (Electronic Resource and Information Centre), for document management, resource sharing and a student portal (Blackboard), which is now the college's Virtual Learning environment. ..continue to staff development
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