E-strategies in the introduction and use of information and communication technologies in the university

Abstract

Information and communication technologies (ICT) were fully incorporated into Spanish universities during the last decade. Without doubt, this is significantly changing the internal dynamics of these institutions: in the form of planning and developing university teaching, in academic administration and student services and, to a substantial degree, in research and knowledge dissemination. To achieve routine use of ICT in the university, over the last few years the governing bodies have taken strategic decisions that have led to the current situation. In this article we present the results of an analysis of these strategic decisions within the framework of a study financed by the Ministry of Education and Science. In general, we can conclude that ICT have been introduced into Spanish universities without strategic planning and that their implementation has been the result of external demand. Likewise, the use of ICT, especially of the Internet, is producing substantial changes in the internal dynamics of universities. These changes affect areas ranging from university structure, the planning and delivery of classes, academic management and administration to investigation and knowledge diffusion.