eXtensible Markup Language (XML) is a new technology that is currently being extolled by many industry experts and software vendors. Potentially it represents a platform independent language for sharing information over networks in a way that is much more seamless than with previous technologies. It is extensible in that XML serves as a "meta"…

Implementing a complex business intelligence (BI) system at a small school or one with limited resources can seem daunting. For small to midsize schools and community colleges, a strategic BI initiative may still be an elusive goal. This article discusses how schools with limited resources are making the dream a reality.

Longitudinal cohort analysis is a powerful tool for helping colleges understand student performance. It involves tracking students as a group or cohort over a specified period of time. The results allow administrators, faculty, and staff to identify groups of students who are succeeding or falling behind and the points in the educational pipeline…

The University of Westminster began collecting and analyzing vendor usage reports since starting their e-book collections in 2004. They have used the results both to monitor the use of the collections and to calculate basic cost-per-use metrics that have informed decisions on whether to renew particular resources. In 2008, they sought to extend…

Universities have rushed to expand their delivery of courses through e-learning environments. But is e-learning effective? The authors conducted an exploratory study to evaluate e-learning through WebCT on the basis of Bloom's taxonomy. The authors distributed 75 questionnaires to investigate whether individual or instructional factors play an…

Noting that distance learning environments often pose serious obstacles to second language instruction, Yuping Wang and Nian-Shing Chen propose that synchronous learning management systems (SLMS) can address the urgent need for real-time communication to support the student acquisition of language skills. To illustrate the pedagogical value of…

Expectations and roles of institutional researchers in higher education institutions are considered, as well as the question of what a research office should expect from its institution. A performance monitoring system for the assessment and continuous improvement of institutional research is also proposed. Ways that institutional research can be…

The roles and responsibilities of the library systems officer continues to change as libraries move beyond the automation of library functions to offering resources in electronic formats and electronic access to information about collections beyond the walls of the home institution. This survey was designed to collect data and document some of the…

In January 1994, Arizona's Maricopa Community College District issued a request for proposals to develop new administrative software applications to solve problems related to high maintenance costs for existing systems and difficulties in updating software. The result was the Apollo Project, in which the District contracted with Oracle Corporation…

Once a community college foundation is well established, an alumni program can be developed, although the focus should be on making contacts and gaining supporters rather than raising funds. The following steps can help establish a successful alumni program: (1) conduct a feasibility study on campus; (2) form a committee to establish program…

At Humber College (HC) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the Digital Electronics (DE) program utilizes a computerized learning infrastructure called Computer Managed Learning (CML). The program, which has been under development for several years, is flexible enough to build a unique program of studies for each individual student and allows for the…

This paper provides an introduction to a particular systems-theoretical approach to problem-solving in the management of education usually referred to as soft-systems methodology (SSM), developed by Peter Checkland in the 1970s. SSM should provide a powerful tool for managers in education at any level who have a strategic role because it can be…

This practice manual is intended to provide an organized approach to strategic planning for human resource professionals at all organizational levels, regardless of their familiarity with strategic planning. Chapter 1 provides a brief introduction and chapter 2 describes the strategic planning process. The rationale for pursuing a strategic…

This book explains how to implement a Total Quality Management (TQM) program within an organization focusing in particular on ways to sustain the effort. Part 1 of five offers an overview of the TQM approach and the rationale for adopting it. Topics of discussion include signs of the need for change, what TQM is and what it is not, the basics of…

Materials are provided for "Maytown In-Basket," a case study in agricultural leadership. This activity is described as one in which students in the agricultural education undergraduate leadership course at the Oklahoma State University are placed in the role of director of a rural rehabilitation district. Ten "in-basket" items…