G. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY NWC relies on adequate investments in technology to ensure the College remains sustainable, which is an increasing challenge. The College’s Information Technology (IT) plan focuses on supporting sustainability, maintaining infrastructure and managing data security and risk to contribute to the strategic directions of High-Performance Organization and College of Choice. Over the course of the next few years, North West will continue to leverage technology to maintain services during this time of uncertainty. North West maintains best practices in infrastructure maintenance and replacement stewardship in order to anticipate large costs, mitigate financial risks and ensure service maintenance. North West’s servers are due for replacement in 2021/22. In anticipation of this potential replacement, North West continues to explore the possibility of cloud based server and data hosting versus on premises storage and comparative costing between the two options. We will continue to also explore collaboration with other post-secondary partners to provide off-site storage at bulk pricing. North West continues to move toward the use of interactive televisions versus smart boards in the classroom. The new interactive televisions allow the instructor to take a more innovative approach to teaching and free additional resources that may otherwise be tied up. Interactive televisions continue to be piloted in a couple of our classes in the Meadow Lake Campus. As smart boards reach their end of life, the College will determine the best replacement equipment and replacements will take place over the next three years. The College is introducing the use of chrome books for our rural based classrooms and a majority of our students in the upcoming year. Chrome books provides learners state of the art technology at a relatively less expensive cost than your typical laptop computer. Chrome books allow the College to implement student email accounts and provide the opportunity to better develop and manage alumni relations. Users and administrators manage software and data the same as a laptop, however encourages the use of google docs and other new innovative ways to manage your work load.
NORTH WEST COLLEGE 2020-2021 BUSINESS PLAN
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