CTC Distance Learning

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CTC Distance Learning

• Military Students and Distance Learning on PPCs,
  CDs, and iPods

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Central Texas College

• Public, open-admission community college
• Associate degrees
• Certificates
• Main campus in Killeen, TX
• Over 100 other locations around the world
• Serves students
• on military installations
• in correctional facilities
• in embassies and
• on ships at sea.
• Accredited by SACS-COC

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Where is Central Texas College?

• Between Waco and Austin, Texas
• Next door to Ft. Hood, the largest military
  installation in the free world

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Online Courses

• First online course offered in 1998.
• Invited to list online courses with the
  Electronic Campus of the Southern Regional
  Educational Consortium (SREC).
• Approved for membership in Sloan Consortium in
  1999.

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eArmyU and GoArmyEd

• Invited to become educational partner in AUAO
  (eArmyU) in 2000.
• Complete associate degrees available online in
  2001.
• Invited to become educational partner in GoArmyEd
  in 2006.

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Enrollments

• Initial enrollment fewer than 2,000.
• Current annual enrollment over 150,000.
• More than 60 of enrollments are outside Texas.

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Campuses and Sites
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Course Scheduling

• Monthly starts.
• Fixed start and end dates.
• Course lengths from 8-16 weeks.

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Delivery Methods

• Online
• CD
• PPC
• iPod New Horizon Contract

Offline Access
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PPC, CD and iPod Courses

• 40 offline courses that can be delivered on
  CD-ROM, SD card, or other means.
• Courses are scheduled as offline/multimedia.
  Students decide how they want to take the
  courses i.e., CD-ROM, SD card, etc.
• Students do not need an Internet connection to
  download any material. Everything (except the
  textbook) is on the CD-ROM, SD card, etc.

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PPC, CD and iPod Courses

• Format
• Is same on CD-ROM and SD card.
• Is similar to online courses for easy
  transferability for students.
• Works on Windows Mobile Operating Systems, as
  well as Nokia and Palm Pilot devices.
• Works on Smart Phones and similar devices
• Courses comply with best practices and
  accrediting agency requirements and are
  comparable to face-to-face and on line deliveries.

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List of Offline Courses
CD, SD card and Mini SD card
HMSY 1337 HMSY 1340 HMSY 1342 HMSY 2337 HRPO
2301 HUMA 1315 MATH 1314 MATH 1332 MRKG 1302 PHIL
1301
PHIL 1304 PHIL 1316 PHIL 1317 PSYC 2301 PSYC
2314 SOCI 1301 SOCI 2301 SOCI 1321 BMGT 1325 ACCT
2301
ANTH 2351 BIOL 1308 BMGT 1303 BUSI 1301 BUSI
1311 BUSI 2301 CJLE 1345 CJLE 1358 CJSA1348 CRIJ
1307
CRIJ 2301 CRIJ 2313 CRIJ 2323 CRIJ 2328 CJCR
2325 CRIJ 1306 ENGL 1302 GOVT 2301 GOVT 2302 HIST
1301
HIST 1302 HIST 2381
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Technical Hurdles

• Self contained
• Targeted students have limited or no Internet
  access. They cannot synch with a desktop.
• Limited software support
• Standard software loaded into PPCs not compatible
  with current online courses
• Memory restrictions
• SD disks provide more space for course content
  but still limit play of some programs

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PPC CD Course Development

• Follow departmental academic guidelines
• Provide easy to read buttons
• Replace text with video/audio
• Limit page scrolling
• Create interactive material
• Require critical thinking exercises and
  interaction with non-students
• Self-quizzes
• Flash cards

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Testing for Offline Courses

• Proctored Exams
• Designed by SME with approval of Department Chair
• CTC Testing Office will distribute tests to
  approved proctors
• Completed tests will be returned to the CTC
  Testing Office
• Logged
• Scanned
• Emailed to instructor

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What is Mobile Distance Learning

• A Program that allows you to take classes
  anywhere, anytime.
• Developed for students with limited Internet or
  computer access. 
• Merges the popularity and portability of MP3
  player with learning. 
• Students can view videos on an MP3 player or in
  an interactive environment on their local
  computer.
• Training reinforced with courseware, reference
  materials, virtual hands-on-labs and testing.

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What is Mobile Distance Learning

• Microsoft Certified Trainer guides students
  through the program via blackboard and also act
  as mentors.
• Students receive college credit for each course
• Credit can be applied to an 18 hour MCSA
  Certificate of Completion from CTC (TA allows a
  student to take only one Certificate program) or
  as elective credits towards an Associate Degree.
• Introduced in January 2007 at Fort Hood.
• 3000 enrollments in 2007 with 99 completion
  rate.
• Students that have attempted exams have a 94
  success rate

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What the student receives

• Apple iPod pre-loaded with all MP3 and Desktop
  content, including
• Earphones
• USB 2.0 cable
• Dock adapter
• Quick Reference guides covering
• CompTIA A and Net Courseware
• Windows XP Professional
• Windows Server 2003 Environment
• Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
• Access to certification practice tests
• Quick Start Guide

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Benefits versus classroom

• Can review lecture content and lab exercises over
  and over.
• Content can be reviewed anywhere with MP3 player.
• Consistent Quality Instruction wherever a soldier
  is stationed.
• No Minimum enrollment requirement.
• Flexibility you can make your own study
  schedule.

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What it is NOT

• A good way to get a FREE MP3 player - Students
  must pass the courses to receive credit, if they
  do not pass, it becomes a 2000 MP3 player (based
  on the cost of 8 credit hours)!
• eLearning on an MP3 player Students receive
  weekly timed test quizzes from Microsoft
  Certified Trainers to help them stay on pace.
  Additionally there is overview courseware,
  certification test preparation tests and a final
  timed exam.

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DoD 8570 Initiative

• Both the Federal Information Security Management
  Act (FISMA) and DoD Directive 8570, require the
  federal government and DoD agencies to
  demonstrate and prove that personnel are IT
  security competent via IT certifications and
  annual metrics reporting of their workforce on IT
  security related skills (link
  http//www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/8570
  01m.pdf)
• These skills-based certification programs are
  aimed at government personnel who come into
  contact with and/or administer secure government
  IT systems and/or intranet-related services
  within the federal government agencies and the
  U.S Department of Defense (DoD).
•  
• What MDL training qualifies under 8570/FISMA

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Recent Student Survey

• A survey was emailed to approximately 1000
  current and previous Mobile Distance Learning
  students to receive valuable feedback on the
  program.
• We received 146 responses with overwhelming
  support for this program.

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Student Survey Results (146 students)

• Access to the Mobile Distance Learning course
  content through Blackboard was easy.
• Strongly Agree - 48.28
• Agree - 36.55
• The information provided on Blackboard was
  helpful and informative.
• Strongly Agree - 41.10
• Agree - 42.47
• Assignments and Assessments offered in the Mobile
  Distance Learning course content were relevant
  and effective.
• Strongly Agree - 47.95
• Agree - 40.41
• The iPod was an effective and beneficial tool.
• Strongly Agree - 59.59
• Agree - 24.66

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Student Survey Results (146 students)

• The iPod was user-friendly/easy to use.
• Strongly Agree - 59.59
• Agree - 25.34
• The main advantage to Mobile Distance Learning is
  the ability for any-time, any-place learning.
• Strongly Agree - 77.93
• Agree - 18.62
• The Mobile Distance Learning experience was fun
  and beneficial.
• Strongly Agree - 51.37
• Agree - 34.25
• According to my experience I would take another
  Mobile Distance Learning course if relevant to my
  learning needs.
• Strongly Agree - 60.00
• Agree - 31.72

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Student Survey Results (146 students)

• I would recommend Mobile Distance Learning as a
  method of study to others.
• Strongly Agree - 57.53
• Agree - 33.56
• Overall, how do you rate Mobile Distance Learning
  compared with the traditional classroom
  environment?
• I prefer Mobile Distance Learning - 40.00
• I like them equally - 37.24
• I prefer classroom learning -16.55