Section III: Programs

(Educational Programs Standards for All Educational Programs)

3.4.14.  The institution’s use of technology enhances student learning, is appropriate for meeting the objectives of its programs, and ensures that students have access to and training in the use of technology.    

JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE

Compliance.

NARRATIVE/JUSTIFICATION FOR JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE

Northeast Alabama Community College demonstrates compliance. After a somewhat delayed implementation in the 1990s of technology to enhance student learning, the college has embarked upon an aggressive plan to provide state-of-the-art technology to support the fulfillment of the college mission. The installation and continuing enhancement of computer-instruction labs, subject-specific computer labs, Internet and word processing stations, technology-enhanced audiovisual equipment, online and database resources in the Learning Resources Center (LRC), faculty and staff technology resources, and a sound management information systems technology infrastructure have equipped students, faculty, staff, and the community to meet the challenges and explore the myriad of opportunities of  a 21^st century education and enhancement of life quality.

The academic technology infrastructure has been greatly enhanced with the implementation of a technology fee effective Fall 2001-2002. This fee increased from $4.00 to $6.00 per credit hour effective Fall 2003-2004, increasing funds available for technology improvements from $140,000 per year to an estimated $205,000 for the 2003-2004 academic year. This fee has provided the resources to add several subject-specific labs, to increase general-use computer lab capability, to enhance computing ability in the library, to install projectors and audiovisual equipment, and to reduce the age of computers on campus to a maximum of 5 years.  In addition, equipment such as laptops, smart boards, and audiovisual display equipment have been provided to the library for coordination of classroom use. Administration of the technology fee is accomplished through the budget-planning process explained in Core Requirement 2.11. A full-time computer technician was hired in Fall 2002 to assist the coordinator in supporting technology campus wide. In May 2003 the president established the Office of Educational Technology Support in order to centralize support of technology campus wide. More information about subject-specific technology support is found in Core Requirement 2.9 and Comprehensive Standards 3.4.9 and 3.8.1.

The following table outlines the technology improvements completed from Fall 2001 through Summer 2003.

Goals for 2003-2004 include the replacement of two computer-instruction labs, an OAD lab, and an EMS lab; audiovisual upgrades to the Pendley Administration lecture hall, the Health & Fine Arts Small Auditorium, and one lecture hall in the Campbell Business Education building; computer upgrades to the COMPASS lab, the nursing lab, and the yearbook lab; the addition of two laptops for faculty use and one Smart Board; and the purchase of software for subject-specific labs, such as the Statistics Lab and the Writing Lab.

Technology training is available to students through formal computer science coursework.Training is also available in specific courses that may utilize computers in instruction. Tutors are available to give technology training in the computer science lab, math lab, and writing lab. The Learning Resources Center (LRC) personnel are available to assist students with computer operation in the LRC. A component of the QEP will be the development of student workshops in technology use.

The college has provided numerous workshop opportunities in technology skills for faculty and staff, including hands-on instruction in Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook Express. Future sessions will focus on the use of Smart Boards and the ACCESS software system, the purchase of which is currently under negotiation. During the development of the QEP, committee members have attended presentations concerning software by PLATO, Glencoe-McGraw-Hill, Addison-Wesley, and Thomson Learning.

A significant enhancement to student learning and fulfillment of the mission during the 2003-2004 academic year was the approval by the Commission of Northeast’s application for substantive change in the area of distance education, grown from one initial online course in Summer 2001-2002 to 16 during Spring 2003-2004. The Prospectus for Substantive Change, Fall Semester 2003-2004 and the subsequent Response to Issues of Clarification Concerning Substantive Change as a Result of Distance Learning outline the following points and were approved by the COC in October 2003: (1) assessment of need, (2) description of the change, (3) faculty qualifications and special training, (4) library and learning resources, (5) physical and financial resources, (6) systematic evaluation of instructional results and use of results, (7) comparability of learning outcomes with on-campus instruction. Northeast is dedicated to ensuring the same high quality of instruction in online courses as is offered on campus. Online instruction is governed by the institution’s Distance Learning Policy. Students and faculty are provided technical support by the Office of Technology Support. The expansion of online course offerings will aid students whose employment schedule conflicts with that of on-campus courses, who live a significant distance from the college, who serve as family caregivers, and/or whose disabilities make travel to campus difficult. However, all students may enroll in online courses for which they are eligible.

The college maintains a comprehensive Web site for students, college personnel, and the general public. Users can access the Catalog, scheduling information, the academic and events calendars, support services information, and contact information for all personnel as well as news releases and a myriad of other information. The college Web site received the 2003 Award of Achievement from the Alabama College System Public Relations Association (ACSPRA).  All students, except first-time or dual enrollment students and those enrolled in developmental courses, may register online following consultation with their academic advisors. With the implementation of the ACCESS system, students will be able to access final grades as they are posted and print an unofficial transcript.

A student survey administered to 312 students during Spring 2003 to assess student perceptions of technology on campus generated positive results, with over 90% answering “strongly agree” or “agree” to the four statements on the survey relating to technology. There were several specific concerns relating to the Nursing Lab.  These concerns were resolved in the Summer 2003 term by allowing access to nursing software programs both in the library and in general-use labs and by budgeting funds to expand the existing nursing lab with technology funds during the academic year 2003-2004.

Northeast was one of the first institutions in the Alabama College System to enter into a contract for computer purchase, service, and maintenance. Howard Computers is one of the top five companies in the country in computer sales. The company’s community service program includes scholarships and job placement assistance to computer science majors. Northeast has made great strides in integrating technology into its instructional, support, and infrastructure services. The college is currently negotiating the purchase of The ACCESS Group software system, which will expand the management of data campus wide for students, faculty, and staff. The college will  continue to upgrade and enhance its sound technology support services.

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