Managing Technologies: Nassau Community College
Shantell Cameron, Jacqueline Perkins, Karen Preston, Darla Ratliff, Lisa Sequera
AET 531
June 30, 2013
Danene Mims
Nassau Community College is two-year college, and is part of the State University of New York system. NCC caters to students of all ages and diversities. NCC provides continuing education, professional programs, distance education, on-ground classes, and is located in the middle of Long Island (Nassau Community College, 2013). Team C has been asked to evaluate the technology NCC uses for adult education and training. The evaluation consists of the current technologies used, the management of these technologies, Internet connection, and Web 2.0 tools. The evaluation is needed to assess and improve communication between students and instructors creating a facility using the latest technology for engaged-leaning.
Technology Currently in Use at Nassau Community College
Nassau Community College (NCC) has incorporated a variety of technological tools into its online learning program. Students interface using Blackboard Learn 9, the most current version of the Blackboard classroom programs available (Nassau Community College, 2013). Within Blackboard, students are able to organize all of their academic information in one place. Students have the capability to take tests online, although currently, students must come to campus for exams under a proctor’s supervision, check grades, access labs, create and participate in blogs, discussion boards, and create wiki pages. Blackboard software facilitates collaborative work with these tools and keeps students connected to each other and the instructor (Blackboard, 2013). Communication between the college and students occurs through email.
NCC offers several options for students to choose from to best fit their needs and schedules. At NCC, students may participate in Hybrid courses that combine face-to-face instruction with online learning, telecourses that include various options to access video content including on-site viewing, checkout for viewing at home, video rental, or video on demand online. In addition, NCC utilizes podcasts to allow students to retrieve information previously recorded for asynchronous access (Nassau Community College, 2013).
Finally, students can link their Blackboard accounts to Facebook or Twitter through a Blackboard profile. This feature is separate from the student’s Blackboard account.Management of technologies
Registration - using the normal registration process, which is based on
earned credits and gives students with more credits the opportunity to select
courses before students with fewer credits.
Students should register as soon as they are allowed because course availability will become restricted.
Access of course:
Students should register as soon as they are allowed because course availability will become restricted.
Access of course:
- Students
will need a computer which has a connection to the Internet
- Computer
must be a PC or a Macintosh
- Telecourse
students may need access to video and/or audio playback devices
- Access to
audiovisual devices and computers is available
- Online
course conducted:
- Email
- Log in
information
- Blackboard
Learn 9 provision for instructor
- Features would
include discussion boards, chatrooms, web links, and assignment and
assessment tools.
Web 2.0
Tools
Nassau Community College wants to
make distance learning as convenient as possible. Therefore, they have
incorporated very user-friendly platforms within the online learning
environment. To ensure that Nassau College provides distant learning in a
user-friendly format it has partnered up with ION (Illinois Online Network), to
provide an integrated use of advance technology called Course Management System
(CSM), which comes in form of both Blackboard and Moodle.
Minimum Hardware/ Software
Requirements
-Antivirus Software
-Adobe Acrobat
-Flash player (such as Shockwave)
-Web Browser (Internet Explorer,
Firefox, Oprea)
-Word processing system: Saves files in Rich Text Format (Nassau Community College, 2013).
Students need to have access to the
minimum hardware and software requirements that are stated above. Not having
access to the above requirements can cause students not to be able to access
Moodle, the online classroom or might not be able to communicate correctly.
Students must have a basic knowledge of understanding computer basics and feel
comfortable navigating online.
Upgrade or Changes for Technology Integration Improvement for Adult Learners
Providing real-time programs such as webcasts as an option for students caters to individuals who are visual learners. When interviewing both Alexis, and Cheryl, they both mentioned how it would be nice to receive faster feedback from their instructors. Presently, the only way to receive feedback is either through e-mail, or blackboard. Although this is great, they are both students who enjoy being in interactive environments. Alexis stated " I love the online program, however, I would feel a lot better as a student if I can actually see my professor through a webcam. I think class would be more interesting if students and teachers were able to communicate at the same time, at some point in the week" (A. Robinson, personal communication, June 27, 2013). She also mentioned listening to audio recordings can hinder her learning because they become boring and monotonous. She does love the idea of retrieving a lesson at her leisure; however, she also believes lessons in real-time will improve integration for adult learners with busy lifestyles.
Nassau Community College only offers proctor exams in a face-to-face setting. This can become a problem for those adult learners who are always on the move. During the interview with Cheryl Scott, she mentioned, the on campus exams are very time consuming. Although the college offers different time slots, it is very difficult for her because her work hours have little flexibility. One of the upgrades or improvements that will benefit Nassau's online program is to create a program that is designed to provide timed online exams. This option will be provided for those students who have hectic schedules. During the interview, Cheryl stated "It would be so much easier if I was able to take my exams online. I understand the concept behind proctored examinations, but it hard for students with little flexibility in their schedules. The only upgrade I would really love, besides real-time sessions is timed online examinations" (C. Scott, Personal Interview, June 28, 2013). The timed examinations can be an option to replace the proctored examinations. The school can give the student a specific amount of time to complete the examination once they began. Timing the exam or test makes it possible to judge the students knowledge without showing up for a proctor exam (Littlefield, 2013, para 3). The student is only given a certain amount of time to complete the exam, therefore, there would not be enough time to cheat or open a text book. This will prevent conflicts with trying to schedule a face-to-face exam. At the same time, it will put instructors minds at ease about possible cheating.
These interviews has given Team C the opportunity to deeper examine the upgrades needed in Nassau Community College's online program. The two upgrades mentioned above (real-time sessions, and timed online exams) are beneficial to improving the attitude and academics of the school's adult learners. Making these changes will not only benefit the school, they would benefit and cater to differentiation in instruction as well.
References
Blackboard. (2013). Quick tutorials library: Blackboard learn release 9.1 on demand learning center for students. Retrieved from http://ondemand.blackboard.com/students.htm Littlefield, Jamie. (2013).
Littlefield, J. (2013). Online College Testing Requirements. Retrieved from
http://distancelearn.about.com/od/distancelearning101/p/OnlineTesting.htm
Nassau Community College (2013). Retrieved from http://www.ncc.edu/
Nassau Community College (2013).
What you can expect in an online class. Retrieved from
http://www.ncc.edu/programsandcourses/distance_ed_online/expectonline.shtml
Robinson, A. (2013, June 27). Personal Interview.
Scott, C. (2013, June 28). Personal Interview.
