Stanley N. Katz
ABSTRACT
This article examines the relationship between information technology (IT) and
educational policy and argues that leaders of universities and colleges must
do a better job of thinking creatively and strategically about how IT can enrich
their institution's basic educational mission. The paper examines five areas
of education policy that are deeply affected by IT-library policy, intellectual
property, distance education, commercialization, and curricular standards and
processes. The paper suggests that the new technology has unleashed such creative,
frequently entrepreneurial activity that is so expensive, pervasive and difficult
to manage that it has had a negative impact on some of our fundamental practices
in teaching and scholarship. It will continue to do so, and it will drive us
if we do not drive it. The paper asks, have we established the mechanisms to
review, monitor and evaluate these developments? And, have we given enough thought
to how we can employ IT thoughtfully and self-consciously to meet our explicit
educational policy goals?