SACS -- Online Compliance Certification

Standard 3.4.14: The Institution’s use of technology enhances student learning, is appropriate for meeting the objectives of its programs, and ensures that students have access to and training in the use of technology.

Judgment of Compliance
X	Compliance	Partial Compliance	Non-Compliance

NARRATIVE/JUSTIFICATION FOR JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE

Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College is committed to providing access to technology to enhance student learning and recognizes that information technology, resources, and systems are essential components in higher education. As evidence of this commitment, the college’s strategic plan for 2002-07 addresses technology as Goal #6 “to develop and maintain innovative, alternative approaches to learning.” Priority initiatives of this goal include [1]:

Maintain a multi-faceted, technically sophisticated network for providing information and instructional technologies to all campuses, and arrange for an appropriate complement of courses to be offered each semester by specially trained instructors.
Link library services on-and-off-campus through computer networking.
Seek expanded use of computer assisted instruction models by all instructional divisions.
Provide for full Institutional and community access to the internet and utilize whenever possible as an instructional tool.
Continue to offer courses made available through the Kentucky Education Network (KET) and the Kentucky Virtual University (KYVU).

To accomplish these goals, the college has available over 1500 computers for student, faculty and staff use. There is a total of 46 computer labs on the five campuses including 13 at the Cumberland Campus, 13 at the Middlesboro Campus, 7 at the Pineville Campus, 6 at Whitesburg Campus, and 7 at the Harlan Campus. The campuses are connected with DS3, and use VOIP/Active Directory technology. CISCO Clean Access is being installed on all campuses to provide wireless internet access. The college has two wireless laptop labs available; one on the Cumberland Campus and one on the Pineville Campus. These mobile labs can be checked out by instructors and used to enhance instruction in a variety of classes.

Computer labs are open for students to complete classroom and on-line assignments, and assistance is available. All students completing an associate degree must demonstrate computer literacy, either by completing appropriate coursework or by passing a competency examination. To facilitate this, computer courses are offered on each campus by qualified faculty. In addition, the Computer Operations department has compiled a “Student Computer Procedures Manual” [2] that is available to all students and guides them through use of the computer labs, how to access their email accounts, how to back up and store their data, and whom to contact for assistance. An additional publication, “The Student Computer Policies manual” outlines computer ethics and code of conduct and further explains lab access and usage [3].

Interactive Television Laboratories (ITV) are located on each campus and provide students with access to a variety of classes. For example, classes taught on the Whitesburg campus can be transmitted to the Middlesboro campus, over 100 miles away, allowing students a wider variety of class choices without the expense of driving to another campus. Multimedia resources such as VCR’s, DVD players, video projectors, and televisions are readily available on each campus for classroom instruction. A complete television studio operates on the Cumberland campus.

Workshops are provided regularly for faculty and staff to keep them abreast of new technology, they in turn, can employ to enhance student learning. A “Boot Camp” [4] is offered each spring, and technology sessions are included in the annual in-service in August [5].

Library resources are available to students on all campuses, and library resources, use, and staff are fully addressed in Comprehensive Standards 3.8.1, 3.8.2, and 3.8.3.

SKCTC, as a member of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, partners with the Kentucky Virtual University [6] to deliver courses utilizing web-based technology. Online classes are delivered by both SKCTC faculty [7] and faculty at different KCTCS colleges throughout the state. Instructors communicate with students through the Angel or WebCT Course Management System (CMS) or through KCTCS email. Through technology using this web-based delivery system, students have a wide range of course selections to assist them in completing their educational objectives.

In addition to computer technology, program specific technology is utilized in labs and classrooms. For example, a fully-energized X-ray machine is an instructional tool in the Radiologic technology program, while state-of-the-art ventilators are used in the Respiratory Care program to facilitate instruction. The Auto Mechanics program provides instruction utilizing a complete computer diagnosis center, while advanced computer numeric control (CNC) machines are available in the Machine Tool Technology Program. The college makes every effort to keep abreast of all technology with the goal of providing the best training possible for students.

Supporting Documents		Links to Supporting Documents
Supporting Documents		You must be connected to the World Wide Web to access the following links. (Click on the link to access the document.)
1	SKCTC Strategic Plan	http://www.southeast.kctcs.edu/planning/resources1/StrategicPlan/2002-2007/goals_priorities.doc
2	SKCTC Student Computer Procedures Manual	http://www.secc.kctcs.edu/sacs/supportingdocuments/student computer procedures manual.doc
3	SKCTC Student Computer Policies Manual	http://www.secc.kctcs.edu/sacs/supportingdocuments/student computer policies manual.doc
4	Boot Camp Brochure	http://www.secc.kctcs.edu/sacs/supportingdocuments/boot camp course overview and schedule 2005.doc
5	In-Service Brochure	http://www.secc.kctcs.edu/SACS/SupportingDocuments/InService2005.pdf
6	Kentucky Virtual University Website	http://www.kyvu.net/home.htm
7	SKCTC Web Based Courses	http://www.secc.kctcs.edu/online

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