Virginia Community College System

Crossing the James River 1.The first settlers in Virginia constructed canoes and rafts 2.The second wave of settlers crossed in “batches” on ferries & rafts 3.The third wave used bridges “just in time” James River “Changing the way higher education works” 1.Early distance education pioneers had to write all the software 2.second wave found software packages to build course “batches” 3.third wave will permit “just in time” construction of content delivery This level of maturity will require a well-conceived technology and organization infrastructure

A System of Colleges (23) and campuses (39)  College operational autonomy encouraged  Each college individually named  One governing board and CEO for system Scope -  System Office, 23 Colleges, 39 Campuses  Six new campuses in last eight years  10,000 Faculty and staff  250,000 credit students  100,000+ non credit students  80,000 FTE’s credit students (unduplicated) Scale - The full range  Smallest college 1,500 students(600 FTE)  Largest college 70,000 students(20,000 FTE)  Smallest campus 800 students(375 FTE)  Largest campus 20,000 students (10,000 FTE) VCCSDistance Education VCCS Distance Education  Fall courses 19,756 students  Spring courses 19,557 students  Academic Year 28,510 unique students 39,313 enrollments  Sample college Summer 2000 Classroom 75% full Distance Educ 100% full

Distance Learning Concept The Virginia Community College System is developing a four- pronged approach to distance learning.

 Database of courses (1700+)  Electronic postcard  Student orientation  Other services  online math center  writing center In , over 28,000 students accounted for 39,000 enrollments, up over 35% from the previous year Approximately one half of Virginia’s community colleges offer degree or certificate programs online or via videoconferencing Portal VCCSOnline

Digital content library Shared Resources  Multiple resources for course development (MERLOT)  Learning objects, modules  Purchase, license, access  Focus on delivery/responsiveness  Address copyright -- who owns it  Provide for individuality, creativity

Content Delivery Deliver distance learning courses & programs  degrees  certificates  workforce development Credential students Provide academic and support services Quality assurance VCCS Colleges

Transition techniques  Courseware Grant project  Faculty Online Resource  TIE awards (Technology in Education)  Collaborative projects (Critical mass)  Exposure - Conferences  Exposure - Professional development activities/support MERLOT New Horizons Conference Centers of Excellence Faculty Online Site Grants - courseware, research

Effecting change  Action Plan for DL  DL & IT Advisory Committee  Program committee  Strategic plan  Presidents activities  College Technology plans  Faculty Online Resource Site  Virtual Foreign Language Classroom

Influences  E-learning Industry  Benchmarks -- Army initiative  E-Market -- students, competitors  Alignment -- administrative & academic systems  ROI -- colleges & students  E-government

The Future  Business-like environment  Competition  Standards/Benchmarks  Rapid change  Flexibility  Responsiveness  Results/Accountability  Quality --product & services

Goals  Seamless access to programs & services  Strong support structure  Successful learning experiences  Lifelong learning environment  Multiple opportunities to learn

Balanced Technology Initiative Architecture Model Application Tools Information Systems Governance and Organization Mission, Vision, Goals & Objectives

Technology Adoption InnovatorsTechies: Try it! Early AdoptersVisionaries: Get ahead of the herd! Early MajorityPragmatists: Stick with the herd! Late MajorityConservatives: Hold on! LaggardsSkeptics: No way! VCCS Virginia Business VCCS must stay ahead of its customers in technology so that faculty may teach it in a timely fashion to meet business demand.

Virginia’s Community Colleges Voice, Data, Video, and Education In the classroom -- On the desktop Statewide access -- One low fee Desktop Network Virginia 2 Router Classroom Switch Voice, Data, Video

VCCS Network Initiatives Desktop video Conferencing & streaming video  VCR & Cable TV replacement Commonwealth Classroom Video  ATM video conferencing  IP video conferencing Voice over IP  In-state long distance  Audio conference facility  Interactive voice response  PBX or Centrex replacement

Information Systems Office & Network Services Student Information System Instructional Support System Administrative Information Systems Management Information System

Instructional Information System Customer Relations Management Intellectual Property Management Academic Content Management Instructional Delivery Methodology Instructional Information System Office & Network Services

An “Electronic Community”  Broadband Network Access  Voice, Data, Video  Electronic Buildings, Classrooms, & Desktops  Information Services  Education opportunities  Proactive people “Point of Service” or “Self Service” Extend Virginia’s (voice and video) reach Nationwide!!!

Carole Larry WEB Home Pagewww.vccs.cc.va.us