Information Technology Services

As needs and demands of students increase, information technology becomes an integral part of Big Sandy Community and Technical College's (BSCTC) mission and goals. The purpose of Information Technology Services (ITS) is to provide quality information technology services for all activities within the College community and to provide innovative assistance and leadership in IT matters to all parts of the College in the achievement of their goals and objectives. The institution provides the following:

A student enrolled at BSCTC has access to a variety of technical resources and services [1]. The primary method used to access these services is through the username and password (Active Directory Account [2] issued by all KCTCS colleges) issued to them when enrolled at BSCTC. BSCTC has established over 38 computer labs [3] designed for student use in classroom instruction and open use. Open computer labs in the libraries located on the Mayo, Pikeville, and Prestonsburg campuses are available extended hours [4] during the week and weekend for students to walk in and use the technology they need for their academic work. The library labs are staffed by library personnel and student workers who are there to help answer questions, provide support, and offer training on effective use of technology. The remaining labs are operated by individual departments on each campus to support their specific academic needs. In an effort to provide services to students with special needs, ITS works with our Disability Support Services Department to provide assistive technologies such as screen magnifiers, large monitors, and Dragon Naturally Speaking software when needed.

At BSCTC, there is an increasing need for fast and efficient communication with enrolled students in order to conduct official business and course work at the College. Students tend to communicate extensively through electronic mail and instant messaging (IM). Each student is issued an email account with 20MG of storage for use throughout the time the student is registered for classes at the College. In addition, IM services are planned for Fall 2007. This service will be available to any student who wishes to engage conversation for any Admissions or IT related questions or problems via our web site. Instant Messaging (IM) is a form of real-time communication between two or more people using typed text. The text messages are sent via computers over the Internet. IM provides real-time communication and easy collaboration between students, faculty and staff.

BSCTC provides wireless access throughout all campus locations [5] with additional hot spots available summer of 2007. If students have a laptop computer, PDA, etc., that has wireless capabilities, they can utilize their personal equipment while on campus. Once connected, students can access the internet, check email, access network printers, access Blackboard, and utilize any other web based service. This service allows students to work wherever it is convenient, including some outdoor spaces. In addition to our dedicated computer classrooms and open computing labs, BSCTC has 30 wireless laptops and over 10 projectors that can be checked out at our Prestonsburg campus library and set up in any classroom or used individually. The remaining campuses have various rooms that have fixed projection equipment with SmartBoards and mobile presentation carts that include laptops with projectors.

Students enrolled at BSCTC are eligible to receive a free copy of McAfee's VirusScan through our license agreement with Network Associates (via KCTCS) for use on their home computer. This package provides state-of-the-art protection for your computer and data against various viruses, worms, Trojans, etc. In addition, an enrolled student is eligible to purchase a variety of Microsoft software packages at significantly reduced prices through the E-Academy [6].

In the Fall of 2006 ITS [7] began offering training sessions/workshops to faculty, staff and students [8]. These sessions are dedicated to the promotion of the skill development of faculty, staff, and students in the area of Information Technology. These sessions include hands-on workshops on a variety of technology topics in effort to develop IT skills within the College community. Most topics are covered by a series of workshops that progress from general introductory material to more complex or specialized content.

BSCTC provides GE 100 to all incoming freshmen. From Fall 2005 to Fall 2006, 637 students have enrolled in GE 100. GE 100 has a technology component that introduces and provides training for students within the following manner: Within the first five class sessions, all GE 100 students have activated their student webmail account, received instructions on sending emails, cleaned out the mailbox, sent attachments, and learned how to access and verify PeopleSoft [9] (student information/records) information. In addition, all students receive a detailed lecture on how to access library services via the web, including, but not limited to library databases. All students also receive a hands-on training session on wireless network and other IT related services such as IT Helpdesk.

In an effort to ensure that BSCTC is offering and rotating equipment effectively and efficiently, an AD Hoc Committee [10] was formed in the 2006-2007 fiscal year to begin exploring the various technologies that are available, identifying emerging technology, reviewing our current and new replacement options, and assessing alternate funding sources. A series of investigations and discoveries will be completed throughout each academic year to assist the College in determining the technology needs. This committee will help BSCTC to achieve its strategic goals [11] in the area of Information Technology.

A review [12] each year is performed by a Perkins evaluation team made up of various administrative staff and faculty to determine the needs of career and technical programs. In addition, students are asked to evaluate [13] our computer resources before graduation.

Technology funding is provided via local college funds and the Carl D. Perkins grant. As of February 2007, $66,682from the local college budget and $159, 201 from Carl D. Perkins grant have been allocated to technology spending and training [14].

The table below lists computer related technology acquisitions for 2006 and 2007.

Distance Learning

Distance learning explores the integration of effective subject matter instruction and research support systems. This incorporates planning and implementing the innovative use of various distance learning delivery systems.

Distance learning classes are delivered by interactive television, DVD, VHS, television, web-based instruction, web-enhanced instruction, and other technologies. These alternate delivery systems afford students flexibility in their scheduling options. To enhance access, partnerships have been formed with other Kentucky Community and Technical College System colleges [18], Kentucky Virtual University (KYVU) [15], and Kentucky Educational Network [16].

BSCTC offers courses via interactive television to connect the Prestonsburg, Mayo, and Pikeville campuses. Students on the Hager Hill campus have access to the ITV lab on the Mayo campus. These connections allow faculty the opportunity to offer synchronized face-to-face instruction at multiple sites. These services have provided not only a wide array of educational resources but have also assisted in cost savings for the college by reducing faculty travel time and have alleviated the travel expenses for students. A sample course evaluation indicates student satisfaction with this mode of delivery [17].

The Dental Hygiene program integrates lectures by broadcasting to other programs in the surrounding region. This collaborative effort allows various KCTCS colleges the opportunity to enroll students at each site while sharing instructional resources and faculty members to accommodate the program. The diploma program in Dental Assisting and the Associate in Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene are considered "regional" in nature and are, therefore, delivered jointly by Big Sandy Community and Technical College, Bluegrass Community and Technical College, and Somerset Community College. The diploma in Dental Assisting is awarded by Bluegrass Community and Technical College while the AAS in Dental Hygiene is awarded by Big Sandy Community and Technical College. The three participating colleges have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that details shared responsibilities such as funding, faculty, and administration of the programs [18].

In cooperation with KET, the College participates in the Higher Education Telecommunications Consortium. The Consortium selects and administers all KET Telecourses [16] [19]. Although students enroll at a participating college, the majority of class work is done by the student at home. The student views the course on KET, via recordings on VHS/DVDs or online utilizing video streaming. Other resources include assigned textbooks and instructional materials. The student and instructor at the college communicate by email, telephone, and written correspondence. Instructors may require some on-campus meetings; however, they reserve the right to offer the course completely online.

KCTCS [20] and KYVU [21] are partners in delivering quality, online courses and programs [22]. Students have the opportunity to obtain over thirty online programs. All required coursework for these programs can be completed in a nontraditional, flexible, and convenient format.

Distance learning students must meet the admission requirements [23] of BSCTC. Students can register online or at one of campuses. Student support services [24] [25] are available both on-campus and online. With the cooperation of KYVU and Center for Rural Development (CRD), students are provided a technical support service [26]. The Embanet Corporation provides online students with a help desk. Embanet is a private corporation contracted by KYVU. Students and faculty are provided with toll free numbers to KYVU and Embanet to eliminate any cost for services.

BSCTC's Distance Learning program provides continuous support to faculty by providing troubleshooting services along with multiple training initiatives. At the beginning of each semester, an open invitation is extended to all faculty and students to meet with the coordinator of the program. The coordinator hosts group training, individual training, and informational sessions on the Prestonsburg, Pikeville, Mayo, and Hager Hill campuses. The table presented below is an example of training services provided the distance learning coordinator.

Online students are provided navigational research links such as the Kentucky Virtual Library [27] to make their learning experience more productive. On-campus resources, facilities, and technologies are available to the students during operational hours. With cooperation of the Center for Enrichment Resources [28] and a network of faculty and staff, students will be provided comprehensive academic support to supplement and enhance the learners' academic experience. In addition to the face-to-face help sessions, students are provided access to a local electronic help desk monitored by the Distance Learning program team.

Distance learning faculty receives training to ensure instructional quality. In addition to training, faculty support services [29] are available to enhance online courses. Equipment and technical services are available to faculty to provide a student-centered classroom and to promote student engagement initiatives. Resources have been utilized to update the classrooms with audio-visual equipment to enhance the learning and teaching environment.

Source

Location/Special Instructions

1.

IT Services

http://www.bigsandy.kctcs.edu/technology/index.html

2.

AD Accounts

https://webmail.kctcs.edu/ActivateAccountLogon.asp

3.

Computer Labs

http://www.bigsandy.kctcs.edu/technology/computer_labs.html

4.

Library Hours

http://www.bigsandy.kctcs.edu/library/hours.html

5.

Wireless Locations

http://www.bigsandy.kctcs.edu/technology/wireless.html

6.

E-Academy

http://elms20.e-academy.com/kctcs/

7.

Training Schedule

http://www.bigsandy.kctcs.edu/technology/calendar.html

8.

E-mail regarding training for faculty, staff and students

3.4.12.8_Email.pdf

9.

BSCTC Web Page for Student Access

http://www.bigsandy.kctcs.edu/student_accounts/index.html

10.

IT Committee Agenda & Minutes

3.4.12.10_IT_Meeting.pdf

11.

Annual IT Plan

3.4.12.11_Information_Technology.pdf

12.

Computer Inventory Report for review

3.4.12.12_Equipment_Inventory.pdf

13.

Student Exit Survey

3.4.12.13_Spring_2006_Exit_Survey.pdf

14.

Budget Requests

3.4.12.14_Budget_request_form_Recurring_Requests_FY_07.pdf

15.

KCTCS & KYVU Consortium

../../docs/common/MOA_for_Online_DistanceLearning_Consortia_Signed_with_Ltr_to_Dr_Wheelan_SACS_9_29_06.pdf

16.

Higher Education Telecommunications Consortium

http://www.ket.org/ktln/ktlnmoa.html

17.

Instructor Evaluation for ITV course

3.4.12.17_Instructor.pdf

18.

Allied Health MOA

3.4.12.18_Dental_MOA.pdf

19.

KET Telecourses

http://www.ket.org/telecourses/

20.

KCTCS DL Website

http://www.kctcs.edu/distancelearning/

21.

KYVU Website

http://www.kyvu.org/

22.

Online Programs

http://www.kctcs.edu/distancelearning/onlinePrograms.htm

23.

BSCTC Admissions Requirements

http://www.bigsandy.kctcs.edu/admissions/adm_requirements.html

24.

KCTCS Student Support Services

http://www.kctcs.edu/distancelearning/StudentServices.htm

25.

BSCTC Distance Learning Website

http://www.bigsandy.kctcs.edu/distance_learning/index.html

26.

eLearning Technical Support

http://www.kctcs.edu/distancelearning/Help.htm#Embanet

27.

KY Virtual Library

http://www.kyvl.org/

28.

Center for Enrichment Resources

http://www.bigsandy.kctcs.edu/student_support/cer/index.html

29.

Faculty eSupport Services

http://www.kctcs.edu/prodev/eSupport/