BSU, ISU, BYU‑I update techs
- posted: 27 Feb 2007
- scrollnews@byui.edu
As technology continues advancing, universities across Idaho strive to improve their ability to teach by implementing new technologies.
Directors in the various offices of Information Technologies in Idaho universities seem to agree on a median of four years for the life span of any given technology before finding a need to update it.
Randy Gaines, chief information officer for Idaho State University, said that a large portion of updating to new technologies is dependant on the school’s funding.
Spalding Jugganaikloo, chief technology officer at BYU‑Idaho, said BYU‑I and other CES institutions are unique in that the Church is very supportive of technology and special funding is provided to update Information Technology equipment.
Most equipment is given a 4-6 year replacement cycle and will be automatically replaced as it reaches the end of its cycle.
The IT directors acknowledge that there is always faster technology available but recognize the need to get as much use as possible out of the technologies currently employed by the school before resolving to purchase new technologies.
Mark Fitzgerald, manager of the help desk for the department of information technologies for Boise State University said, There is a constantly a need for a variety of new technologies.
Each university places a different emphasis on which areas of technology are most beneficial for their school.
BYU‑I’s current emphasis is on instructional technology, supporting online classes and the BYU‑I learning model. This effort will benefit the students tremendously by giving them for flexibility in scheduling, and enhancing their academic experience,
Jugganaikloo said.
ISU has focused largely on a compressed video network allowing for two-way video conferencing. An instructor may be in Pocatello and the class is broadcast to Idaho Falls and Twin Falls,
Gaines said.
Boise State has been working on improving wireless access to all areas of their campus.
New trends in technology are constantly developing and taking on new forms. IT directors say it is not possible to pursue every surfacing trend.
Schools are left to identify the trends that will be of the most benefit to their needs in order to more fully exploit them. 
