Staff despair at Open University

IT DOES not surprise me that many universities are writing strategies for the funding council based on the illusion that IT reduces staff. Simply put, there is no evidence that IT saves money. IT may improve quality if implemented effectively, but the constant need to upgrade costs more than it saves if a strategic information plan is not formulated alongside the business strategy, and subsequently implemented with the assent of all stakeholders.

For instance the Teaching and Learning Technology Programme has cost Pounds 33 million to date and yet the CD-ROM will be redundant by the end of the decade. It makes great support ware - but it can never replace human contact. The only thing that will "save money" is the "virtual lecturer" but at what cost? Universities should be implementing IT in teaching and learning to prepare graduates for the new "information age" and to broaden their market, not deluding themselves that it saves cash.

Jon Lyons

London Guildhall University