Self-Study Standard IIIC Technology Resources
1.
Please describe your lab facilities and purpose.
The Learning Resource Center (LRC) consists of an open computer use area,
eleven offices for tutoring, a language lab, a math learning center, a
computer classroom, and two offices used by the Supplemental Instruction
Program. The LRC has six distinct purposes:
A. An open computer use area with 78 computers. Students may use the
Internet and do word-processing. There are five “pay-for-print” stations.
Students also have the opportunity to use “WIFI” if they bring in their
own laptops. There are also 38 CD players, 6 TV’s, 3 DVD players, 4
VHS players, 10 cassette tape players, 28 microphones, and 74
headphones, which are used in this area as well as the Language Lab and
the Math Learning Center.
B. One-on-one tutoring is available in English, ESL, math,
anatomy/physiology, biology, chemistry, statistics, geology, and Spanish.
Each of the eleven tutoring offices has a computer. Students sign up for
appointments using the Tutor-Trac online system.
C. A language lab (with 29 computers) where students complete assignments
for ESL, Reading, and foreign language courses. Students check out
hard copy materials from staff members or complete instructional
software programs. There are 21 Plato stations used for Reading courses
(8 more are ordered).
D. A Math Learning Center (MLC) (with 17 computers) where students
receive help with math problems from tutors and faculty members.
There are 3 Plato stations used for math courses.
E. A Distance Learning Lab (DLL) (with 29 computers) that instructors
from various disciplines reserve for class instruction.
F. A testing area where students make up exams. It has 6 computers.
2.
Who is responsible for funding and maintaining the lab?
The college provides most of the funding. Additional funding for tutoring
has come from the Basic Skills Initiative (approximately $100,000 annually)
and grants (such as AT&T and STEM).
3.
Who uses this lab?
Fullerton College and Cypress College students.
4.
How do you assess the need for technology training for students and/or
personnel that access this lab?
As part of the Program Review process, students complete surveys that
measure their satisfaction of the ease-of-use of equipment. New faculty
members are provided orientations/trainings regarding the use of
instructional software programs.
5.
What technology training do you provide? Who provides the training?
The LRC coordinator and other staff members provide orientations for
classes at the start of the semester. One staff member’s main responsibility is
providing students one-on-one help with the technology on the open floor.
The college’s instructional designer trains LRC staff to help online students
with BlackBoard, and a Reading Department faculty member ensures their
competence in assisting students with Plato instructional software.
6.
How do you ensure that the training and technical support are appropriate
and effective?
Program Review student surveys. Also, one staff member provides technical
training for Supplemental Instruction Leaders and tutors to ensure their
competence with emails and web-sites.
7.
How do you measure how effective is the training and the technology support
provided?
Program Review student surveys.
8.
Are there any actions that you are planning for 2010 (or later) to improve
these services?
Below are the Action Plans from the LRC and MLC Program Review
Reports that will be submitted to the executive vice-president in early
December 2009.
LRC
I.
Goal: Improve Quality of Materials (also in terms of accessibility)
Supports Strategic Direction (if applicable): Two—Student and Academic
Support Services: Developing and providing comprehensive student and
academic support services to foster a positive and effective learning
environment.
1. Objective: Improve student access by purchasing 32 computers (12 for
Language Lab, 2 for Distance Learning Lab, and 18 for main floor)
1.1
Person(s) responsible: Dean of the L/LRC
1.2
Timeframe: Fall 2012
1.3
Fiscal resources needed: $40,032
2. Objective: Improve student access by modifying Tutor-Trac System to allow
students to set up appointments and sign up for group tutoring and
workshops
2.1 Person(s) responsible: Dean of the L/LRC
2.2 Timeframe: Fall 2010
2.3 Fiscal resources needed (if not applicable, indicate “NA”): $5,650
3. Objective: Improve student access by purchasing a NAS Server to allow
students virtual access to all LRC CD’s.
3.1 Person(s) responsible: Dean of the L/LRC
3.2 Timeframe: Fall 2012
3.3 Fiscal resources needed (if not applicable, indicate “NA”): $8,000
4. Objective: Regularly consult with faculty members regarding consistent
and timely updating of LRC instructional materials.
4.1 Person(s) responsible: Dean of the L/LRC
4.2 Timeframe: Fall 2010
4.3 Fiscal resources needed (if not applicable, indicate “NA”): NA
5. Objective: Purchase statistical analysis software for six computers on the
main floor.
5.1
Person(s) responsible: Dean of the L/LRC
5.2
Timeframe: Fall 2012
5.3
Fiscal resources needed (if not applicable, indicate “NA”): NA
6. Objective: Purchase timer, scanners, heavy-duty hole-punch and stapler
6.1
Person(s) responsible: Dean of the L/LRC
6.2
Timeframe: Fall 2010
6.3 Fiscal resources needed (if not applicable, indicate “NA”): $1500
7. Objective: Develop a Supplemental Instruction Web-Site
7.1 Person(s) responsible: Dean of the L/LRC & SI Coordnator
7.2 Timeframe: Fall 2012
7.3 Fiscal resources needed: $2800 to $4200
II.
Goal: Improve Clarity of Procedures
Supports Strategic Direction (if applicable): Two—Student and Academic
Support Services: Developing and providing comprehensive student and
academic support services to foster a positive and effective learning
environment.
1. Objective: Install directional signage.
III.
1.2
Person(s) responsible: Dean of the L/LRC
1.2
Timeframe: Fall 2010
1.3
Fiscal resources needed: $4,000
Goal: Improve Staff Helpfulness
Supports Strategic Direction (if applicable): Two—Student and Academic
Support Services: Developing and providing comprehensive student and
academic support services to foster a positive and effective learning
environment.
1. Objective: Switch Distance Learning Lab and Language Lab so that staff
members have better visual access to the latter. This will require the
installation of a video projection system and privacy panels.
1.3
Person(s) responsible: Dean of the L/LRC
1.2
Timeframe: Fall 2012
1.3
Fiscal resources needed: $15,000 (video projection system) &
$7,040 (privacy panels)
2. Objective: Hire additional tutors for sciences, social sciences, and foreign
languages
2.3 Person(s) responsible: Tutor Coordinator and Dean of the L/LRC
2.4 Timeframe: Fall 2012
2.3 Fiscal resources needed: $67,400 (annually)
3. Objective: Install EWPATAS scanners to determine the impact of tutoring
and the Language Lab on student academic success.
3.1 Person(s) responsible: Dean of the L/LRC
3.2 Timeframe: Fall 2010
3.3 Fiscal resources needed (if not applicable, indicate “NA”): NA
MLC
I.
Goal: Improve Staff Helpfulness
Supports Strategic Direction (if applicable): Two—Student and Academic
Support Services: Developing and providing comprehensive student and
academic support services to foster a positive and effective learning
environment.
1. Objective: Provide one-on-one math tutoring for all levels of math.
1.1 Person(s) responsible: Dean of the L/LRC
1.2 Timeframe: Spring 2011
1.3 Fiscal resources needed: $36,248 (annual cost)
2. Objective: Install EWPATAS scanning system to track impact of tutoring on
student academic success.
2.5 Person(s) responsible: Dean of the L/LRC
2.6 Timeframe: Fall 2010
2.7
Fiscal resources needed (if not applicable, indicate “NA”): NA
3. Objective: Hire a Director
3.1 Person(s) responsible: Math Dept. Coordinator & L/LRC Dean
3.2 Timeframe: Fall 2010
3.3 Fiscal resources needed: $25,000 annually
II.
Goal: Improve Hours of Operation
Supports Strategic Direction (if applicable): Two—Student and Academic
Support Services: Developing and providing comprehensive student and
academic support services to foster a positive and effective learning
environment.
1. Objective: Increase number of math tutors to expand hours of the MLC.
III.
1.4
Person(s) responsible: Dean of the L/LRC
1.2
Timeframe: Fall 2012
1.3
Fiscal resources need (if not applicable, indicate “NA”):
Goal: Improve Materials (including technology)
Supports Strategic Direction (if applicable): Two—Student and Academic
Support Services: Developing and providing comprehensive student and
academic support services to foster a positive and effective learning
environment.
1. Objective: With changes in textbooks, ensure timely updating of solutions
manuals and instructional software.
1.1 Person(s) responsible: Dean of the L/LRC
1.2
Timeframe: Ongoing
1.3
Fiscal resources need (if not applicable, indicate “NA”): NA
2. Objective: Purchase four computers and one printer to accommodate
one-on-one math tutoring.
2.1 Person(s) responsible: Dean of the L/LRC
2.2 Timeframe: Fall 2012
2.3 Fiscal resources needed: $5004 (computers) & $435 (printer)
9.
Are there any issues affecting the services you provide?
Timely replacement and upgrade of computers is one concern. Another is
sufficient staffing as the number of students using the LRC continues to
increase. Finally, new instructional programs acquired by faculty members
some times do not coincide with timely trainings for LRC staff members.
10.
Do you have any documents that we can share with the accreditation team
related to these questions.
LRC and MLC Program Review Reports.
Tutoring Annual Report.