1. MOVING FORWARD WITH WEBNET+:
Opening New Avenues
for the Military Learner
March 26, 2018
PRESENTERS: Dr. Beth Vivaldi and Mrs. Beth Fiock, MA

2. Agenda
What is WebNet+?
What are the processes in place to make WebNet+ successful?
Statistical Data to date
Report on Discipline-Specific Ventures:
Cybersecurity + MHA offerings (Colorado and Ft Bliss TX)
Information Technology offerings across South West Region (Memphis Naval).
Inclusion of Corporate Partners via Project Management seminars on weekends.
Present Status and where are we going?
Best Practices
How does this support the CCME Theme “Navigating Change: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities in Military and Veteran Education”

3. What is WebNet+?
… a Webster Networked experience that assists faculty to deliver media rich, real-time learning experiences to students across geographic locations, linking learners via video livestream.

4. Why did Webster University pursue using VTC (enhanced) = WebNet+?
Linkage capability for over 100+ sites and can be linked to 8 international sites
Cost factor minimal
Reduction of cost for site: Faculty & Equipment (significant savings)
Enhanced collaboration between sites – students – faculty.
Allows face to face Instructor-Student for military that are geographically separated from the main servicing site.

5. Cost Factor Minimal equipment needed: 1 camera to pan classroom
1 enhanced audio speakers
LED Projector in order to view other sites participating
WebEx capability
TOTAL COST FOR SITE: Less than $700.00

6. WebNet+ Equipment
The list of equipment for HOST campuses includes the following:
Logictech CC3300e video conferencing camera
Speaker/Microphone with long cord
VGA Splitter, VGA Cables, 2nd computer monitor (the site must provide the 2nd monitor)
A Hovercam Solo 8 video camera
this is to be used to provide an alternative to a whiteboard when teaching a class

8. Behind The Scenes: Timeline
Year prep starts January before next Academic year
Academic year is Summer to Spring
Term prep starts T-17 weeks out from start of term with first to WebNet+ regional representatives.
T-14 weeks out: sent to all extended sites requesting for WebNet+ applications and faculty lists for training
Continued reminders until T-7 weeks when applications are due
T-10 weeks and on going until start of term
Faculty trained in asynchronous course built by OLC WebNet+ team

9. Ever evolving process – required flexibility
T-7 weeks: Start processing applications
Facilitate with extended sites to ensure courses are cross-listed properly
T-4 weeks: "Next Steps" sent to faculty
T-2 weeks: Extended sites conduct a technical walkthrough with faculty
T-1 week: Student Orientation & Training live webinar
Students uploaded into asynchronous training
Constant communication with sites to ensure courses are running properly.
Pair, create, and cancel courses as needed. 
Ever evolving process – required flexibility

10. Behind The Scenes: Campuses & Support
Regional representatives
Low Enrollment report
Course application
Spreadsheet
Technology testing
IT Support implemented Summer 2017

11. Behind The Scenes: Faculty
Live Webinar Training
Pedagogical
Technical
Asynchronous Training course
Course Prep assistance
Instructional Designer

12. Behind The Scenes: Students
Orientation & Training Live Webinar
Students are given opportunity to participate in training webinar and asynchronous course by OLC WebNet+ team to familiarize themselves with the unique modality.
Asynchronous course
Students are able to log in and view videos about WebEx and see how the online component of their course will look and function.

13. Statistical Data: Credit Hours
Enrollment Numbers
Summer 2016
Summer 2017
676.5
1,569
Fall
Fall
Fall 73
967.5
2,447
Fall
Fall
Fall
264
1,032
2,060.5
Spring
Spring
Spring
636
1,189
2,712
Spring
Spring
Spring
486
1,759
3,684

14. Statistical Data: Courses
Course Pairings
Summer 2016
Summer 2017 25 60
Fall
Fall
Fall 9 32 83
Fall
Fall
Fall 8 36 79
Spring
Spring
Spring 27 45 89
Spring
Spring
Spring 17 61
115

15. Statistical Data: Involvement
Campuses Involved
Summer 2016
Summer 2017 26 34
Fall
Fall
Fall 7 30 37
Fall
Fall
Fall 12 31 35
Spring
Spring
Spring 21 38
Spring
Spring
Spring 17 49

16. Specific Program Integration
Cybersecurity (Colorado)
Due to the population it has received much interest thus enrollment is stable
Ft Bliss wants to increase enrollment by offering as electives and eventually build on its interest to offer as a full program on ground
MHA (Ft Bliss)
MHA is not offered online due to accreditation restrictions
Faculty are specialized thus smaller pool of individuals who can get approved for faculty positions in this degree
This allows maximum sharing of qualified faculty
Now offered each term to 3-4 satellite sites
Increases their enrollments in this program so they may eventually offer the program at their own sites with a full complement of enrollment

17. What does this bring to our military clients?
Optimizes choices!
Classroom to classroom enhanced collaboration
Does not matter if they are geographically separated – we can service their needs!
Can survive in an increasingly networked world
Gain insight into effective communication strategies for web environments
Increase technology skills while working toward their degree.

18. What does this bring to our military clients?
For a niche program such as MHA or Cybersecurity that is NOT offered online – students have delays in program completion if only offered onground.
New approach streamlines all students to the same courses with no delays.
Degree completion is now ON TIME!

19. How does this support the CCME Theme “Navigating Change: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities in Military and Veteran Education”
Statistically has proven that this modality was warranted in order to serve our military & vets who were geographically separated…..but are NOT embracing online
Eventually all courses will be synchronized to offer the SAME courses across Webster University.
This allows any students to take ANY degree from any site they are near or stay with their current servicing site.
It also allows no change in original degree pathway – thus completion of degree is ON TIME!

20. QUESTIONS?