F.+ICT+infrastructure

** Significance of ICT infra ** Providing ICT infrastructure is essential in carrying out ICT-related change, and it should be considered and well-thought-of from the beginning while developing a vision for the change. ICT infra is considered as one of necessary bases of any change establishment as it is the medium without which ICT-related change could not take place. ** What does ICT infra consist of? ** Many misconceptions have been surrounding the concept and practice of the provision of ICT infra. For instance, ICT infra has been long thought of as mere physical equipment, such as computers, servers, bandwidth and cables and wires. However, provision of ICT infra extends to the provision of: The image gives an overview of each of these elements of ICT infra.
 * ICT infrastructure **
 * human technical,
 * continuous funding, and
 * continuous assessment of its adequacy.



Based on Fullan (2001) ELEMENTS OF ICT INFRASTRUCTURE ** How to plan ICT-infra for change? ** What applies to the development of a mission statement or establishment of vision for change also applies to the specific planning for ICT-infra for ICT-related change. As the above image shows, many dimensions should be considered in planning. A plan could include the following: · Clear objectives and goals for the use of ICT infra in the educational organizations covering administrative, technical and most importantly educational needs **// Tips: //** o Mere provision of ICT-infra with no planning does not guarantee its use o At the same time, provision of ICT-infra before forming a clear plan might help at initiate commitment to effective use of infra o Costs and benefits should be clearly linked and articulated o The plan should be integrated into the general strategic plan for the university o Specify considerable time-scale as it allows people to work toward the short and long-term goals · Provision of necessary human staff needed to implement and support the use of ICT infra **// Tip: //** o Humans are the drive for successful and active implementation of infra · Clear policies of the use of ICT infra for educational purposes by teachers and students **// Tips: //** o Policies should be first formed at a departmental level and informed by teachers o Specify to what extent and in what manner the technology is used in university courses i.e. fully online or merely as a repository of content o Specify if it is necessary for students to own a computer and financially plan for achieving this goal o Specify any “common technical standards” required for computers o Specify guidelines for “universal access” and “equity” in using computers by teachers and students · Communicating the plan to stakeholders including administrative staff, technical staff and academic staff **// Tips: //** o Giving out information about plan is necessary to get people involved o Limiting information could demotivate people and make them lose sight of //why// and //what// they should be doing o Get feedback on the plan from stakeholder to motivate them and get them involved · Continuous planning for funding is essential for maintaining and keeping ICT-infra up-to-date **// Tips: //** o Provide a “financing plan” for students to have their own computers o Financial investment in ICT-infra might not pay off immediately, but good planning allows for positive gains in the long run · Evaluating the effectiveness and adequacy of current ICT infra in relation to the specified goals **// Tip: //** o Refer to section H of this guide for more information

 ** References ** Queensland Government (2007). Change management best practices guide: Five (5 ) key factors common to success in managing organizational change. Retrieved from Envirowise & Government Office for the South West. (2004). Resource efficiency and corporate responsibility: Managing change. Retrieved from

Fullan, M. (2001). The new meaning of educational change (3rd ed.). New York: Teachers College Press.