Preparing students

Based on recent focus group sessions, anecdotal accounts, implementations at other campuses as well as what we know about the tech-savvy Net generation, most students (incoming, applicants, graduating) are already far ahead of the faculty in comfort and use of communication technology. That gap is likely to increase as elementary and secondary schools progressively integrate technology into instruction. Therefore, we expect UC Davis students to be generally enthusiastic about the new system.

This said, to ensure students' active involvement as well as their early and ongoing use of the system, it will be important to:

• Consider the new system from the students' perspective and make sure it works for them.
• Raise awareness about the campus roll-out and the system's functionality
• Provide technical support and online training/documentation resources
• Encourage students to 'champion' the system among faculty.