A common academic architecture which facilitates the integration of technology into the educational process is critical for institutional success. The architecture must encourage faculty use and enhance learner productivity (i.e. make integration of technology into the curriculum as easy and painless as possible) by demonstrating "added value" to traditional teaching methodologies and course management. Technology must provide clear incentives for use. The Academic Architecture Initiative includes a Course Management Service (CMS) linked to common Instructional Application Tools (IAT).

Course Management Service tools have been developed internally and include Template Based Structures for ease of constructing Syllabi and other support material, File Distribution, File In Basket, Threaded Discussion and Message Boards, Live Text Chat, and Search Engines. In addition, CMS offers a Photo Class List and Seating Chart, Email Announcements and Collaborative Lists, and Course Registration Data Download capabilities.

Instructional Application Tools include WBT TopClass, Chat Rooms and a Message Board, and Microsoft Internet Information Server version 4 (IIS4) resident on multiple institutional NT Servers. In addition, integration is provided for Oracle, Sybase and Microsoft Database products.

The full presentation will be available under "Academic Architecture" at time of presentation at www.drexel.edu/irt/irtorg/vcati/