The University of Virginia is committed to providing students and faculty with the very best learning environment possible. Over the past decade, that has meant keeping pace with the technological explosion that has rocked much of society and, in particular, redefined the ways in which knowledge is transmitted on college campuses. Handwritten notes between students and professors are giving way to electronic mail.
Researchers look up source materials at computer terminals rather than card-catalog file drawers.
Keeping up with the available technologies and then incorporating them into the academic environment requires forethought. According to Kathrine M. Reed, Associate Provost for Management, the Classroom Technology Plan traces its origins to the early 1990s, when the University recognized the need to improve many of its facilities. For example, the historical buildings and older classrooms were not equipped with computers, which were rapidly becoming a part of the U.Va. educational experience. A classroom improvement plan was developed to rectify the technological shortcomings on Grounds, and a classroom improvement committee was formed to implement the plan. At first, Reed explains, the committee focused on funding equipment acquisitions for specific areas and schools of the University.