Using Information Technology to Strategically Improve the Future ClassroomOperations at the Air Force's Air Command and Staff College

摘要

Specifically this paper discusses how information technology can strategicallysupport the Air Command and Staff College (ACSC) classroom of the future. The following methodology is used to accomplish this thesis. First is a general discussion of how IT should be used not to just automate processes, but to improve the strategic position of the organization. The next step is to understand what the school's mission and goals arc currently and how they are expected to change by the year 2001. With this foundation, then a snapshot of the present use of I/T to support classroom operations at ACSC is presented. Finally, once the strategic mission is understood, specific technology that can support this mission is presented along with an implementation methodology. The conclusions reached are that the school needs to shift its focus from primarily using information technology (I/T) as a way to automate existing processes to developing an I/T plan that comes from, and thus supports, the unit's goals and objectives. Areas such as senior leadership commitment and support, operational leadership in the development of plans, finding an I/T champion, effective I/T project leadership, and fostering a culture that nurtures the strategic use of I/T must be addressed if the successful merging of organizational and I/T strategies is to occur. After analyzing the unit's goals and objectives in light of future environmental factors, it becomes apparent that Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS) technology would strategically support the needs of the organization. ITS technology is a strategic enabler for ACSC.