MSCHE/ACOE Self Study

The entire College community, including all students and faculty members, are provided with a network user account and an email account with access to campus network resources. The network user account not only allows users access to the campus network, but it is also used to access a private network directory (H: drive) to store files, as well as to access other online network resources and applications. All faculty members are provided a computer and on a regular basis, computer equipment and peripherals are upgraded or replaced. All high-priority computer equipment are on annual maintenance contracts; either 24x7, 7days/wk or 9x5, M-F. All other technology equipment is purchased with 3-year hardware maintenance and is maintained and repaired by in-house personnel. Recent Improvements Some recent activities include an upgrade of our IT data center infrastructure, commencing with the core network servers and enabling a Microsoft Windows 2003 Active Directory environment; implementation of the new high speed Internet connection for expanded online capabilities; implementation of a campus-wide emergency notification system; the use of a classroom response system (using TurningPoint responders or "clickers") to provide instructors with immediate feedback on content comprehension, engage students and promote critical thinking; and the ongoing process of improving the College's web site as a mechanism to provide enhanced communication with the community-at-large and maintain our strong presence on the Internet. In addition, the Alcatel-Lucent core network wired infrastructure was upgraded during the summer of 2009; the collaboration with other schools of optometry on a use of a common application service (OptomCAS) for prospective students with weekly online data downloads onto existing student information systems was implemented; and the IT Help Desk was reestablished. During the fall of 2009, the College migrated from Blackboard/WebCT to Moodle as its course management system vendor to further enhance teaching and learning. An initial two-day training “Boot Camp” was held for faculty, and beginning with the 2009- 2010 winter quarter and spring semester, Moodle was made available to students. All courses have an online presence using Moodle commencing in fall, 2010. In December 2009, IT launched a College web portal that will allow current students to take control of their information online, including updating personal information, accessing grades, monitoring and tracking financial aid information and reviewing schedules and unofficial online transcripts. Planned Improvements Some of the initiatives that are planned include the expansion of the web portal for faculty access to review class lists and enter grades online, as well as integration of other online applications to provide a single point to access via the portal; the continuation of the IT 3 rd Floor Data Center upgrade, including upgrading the core network wireless infrastructure replacing the existing wireless

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