Also from the 1985 annual report we get a glimpse into the growing use of IT in the College:

Academic Services

Computer Services has again continued to expand its provision for academic purposes throughout College. Almost all subjects now make some use of computers and in several cases the introduction of new materials and equipment has led to developments in the curriculum which would not have been possible otherwise. At the same time, computer services provide a computing and statistical service to staff and students to aid them in a range of types of research.

Teacher-education students continued to have free access to the range of equipment which they are likely to meet in Primary, Secondary and Special Schools. To meet the DES requirement for teacher-education students a set of nine machines has now been made available. In addition, BA and BSc students have access to machines and software which they are likely to meet in commerce and industry. Subject-based machines are used for the analysis of experimental work, to support student activities in schools research work and for record keeping. The involvement in word-processing continues to grow as staff and students recognise the ease of preparation and clarity of presentation available for the production of theses, dissertations and other papers. Computing in the undergraduate courses occurs in a major way in Computer Education and in Mathematics. In addition, many other subjects include an element of computing in their syllabuses.
Demand for in-service courses for teachers continues to run at a high level. With the introduction of new equipment and materials there seems little doubt that in-service courses will be fully subscribed for the foreseeable future. A programme of courses has again run both during term time and vacations covering the needs of teachers in Primary, Secondary and Special Schools.

Following the successful introduction of computerising student records at the admissions stage the way is now open for this data to be made instantly available to appropriate staff by the development of a network system. Already work has been eliminated in the examinations section by passing on this information in database form.

Administrative Services

The College is developing the use of micro-computers and word processing facilities to assist our administration in a number of areas. In the general administration of the College we will shortly introduce word-processing facilities in the Directorate and other administrative offices to assist in the production of minutes, reports, statistics and other administrative publica-tions. In all three Faculties micro-computers and word-processors are being introduced for statistical and record-keeping purposes. A micro-computer is used to provide statistics for the Catering Department and for Central Administration covering pricing policies, production of menus and stock control. We intend to commence work in the 1985-86 session on the provision of computing facilities and programmes to cover the work of the College Finance Department.

In the field of admissions all work from a student’s initial application to the production of student course lists is now computerised. Records produced in the Admissions Unit are used to provide the data for the production of individual student records which are housed in the College Records Office.

In relation to examinations, micro-computers linked to word-processors are used to prepare examination entry lists for Part I and Part II degree examinations. Examination papers for Part I are prepared on word-processors and these and computer equipment are extensively used for the production of mark sheets, mark lists and statistics used by the various Boards of Examiners and the College/University College Examinations Board.

Staffing

In the coming academic year the staffing of Computing is to be considerably increased. A full-time Head of Computing will replace the half-time Head of Computer Services post, the Computing Assistant will be full-time instead of part-time and the addition of another supporting post is planned. This strengthening of resources will lay the foundations for a more comprehensive provision of services. It is confidently expected that our Computing Services will continue to expand to meet the multiplicity of needs generated by a College of our diversity.