Bossier Parish Community College is in compliance with this comprehensive standard because the College utilizes technology which enhances student learning that is appropriate for meeting the objectives of its programs and ensures that students have access to and training in the use of technology.

Enhancing Student Learning

In its efforts to promote its mission of providing sound academic instruction, the College recognizes the value of utilizing technology to enhance student learning. Students have access to a variety of technological sources to complement their learning and achieve success. This technology includes the following:

• The Technology Resource Center (TRC), which is part of the Bossier Parish Community College Library, is a computer lab which gives students access to library resources for research, computer resources for class assignments, Internet access, and access to Blackboard, which is the College's electronic course management system.
• The Learning Center is a resource for students to access, to enhance, and to reinforce classroom instruction. The Learning Center has computers and software programs available for student use. These programs provide a variety of computer-assisted instruction for areas such as math, English, computer science, and chemistry. The Programmable Logic for Automated Teaching Operations (PLATO) learning system software package enhances learning through modules and tutorials on specific subject concepts. In addition, other software support packages are utilized in various academic disciplines.
• Computer Labs
  In addition to the Technology Resource Center and the Learning Center located in Building A, the following computer labs located throughout campus are used to enhance student learning and classroom instruction:
  • Building B:
    B115 - Medical Office Training
    B153 - Pharmacy Lab;
    B154 - Pharmacy Lab
    B315 - Natural Science Lab
    B330 - Natural Science Lab
  • Building C:
    C126 - Music Lab
  • Building D:
    D309 - Telecom Lab
    D329 - Teleprompter
    D330 - Master Control Room
    D338 - Video Editor
    D307 - Photography Training
    D320 - Sound Editor
  • Building E:
    E121 and E145 - Electronics Labs
    E151 and E326 - Behavioral and Social Science Labs
    E214 and E216 - Math and Technical Education Labs
  • Building G:
    G206 - Foreign Language Lab
    G214, G216, G218, G219, G317 - Business and Computer Science Labs

Meeting the Objectives of the College's Programs

The College's use of technology assists in and is appropriate for meeting the objectives of its programs. The College utilizes Blackboard as its primary course management software to augment face-to-face instruction. Most academic divisions offer courses via the Internet, and all students are expected to communicate via e-mail, access web resources, and utilize computers in the learning process. The College has a campus-wide wireless network.

Additionally, every academic division utilizes some combination of technology for coursework, such as PowerPoint, LCD projectors, whiteboards, and computer labs with specific software. Educational Technology Division statistics indicate the number of students accessing Blackboard and utilizing various technological tools for their coursework.

To ensure that students and faculty have access to state-of-the-art multimedia classrooms, the College provides two network-based videoconferencing classrooms and a videoconferencing meeting room. The Educational Technology Division provides videoconferencing support and resources devoted to the design construction, operation, and maintenance of these rooms.

Providing Training and Access

Faculty/Staff: The College recognizes the value of on-going training for faculty to assist them in utilizing technology for instruction. Therefore, the College mandates that faculty receive training in the use of electronic technologies to enhance instruction. The Educational Technology Division provides on-going training for faculty and staff in the utilization of various e-learning technologies, including the Blackboard course management system, CAMTASIA, a multi-media software that allows downloading of audio and video materials into courses, PowerPoint presentations, and discussion board. Training in utilization of web resources to enhance instruction is also provided. The Educational Technology Division conducts various seminars, workshops, and individual consulting sessions dedicated to faculty technology development. The Division works with faculty to ensure that online and web-enhanced courses contain a strong pedagogic foundation and that the technologies utilized are appropriate to the content delivered. Each full-time faculty member at the College is provided with a computer for his/her office, thus providing access for implementing the training provided and enhancing coursework for students.

Students: All first-time online students must participate in an orientation to better prepare them for an online class. Online students are expected to be familiar with the use of technology in an active, participatory manner, thus demonstrating participation in class and content mastery. To support students' technology training, the Educational Technology Division provides 24-7 support services using BPCC's Persidium Help Desk, an electronic support service desk available to students. In addition, the Educational Technology Division offers phone and e-mail support service during regular business hours. SMARTHINKING, a 24-7 online tutoring service, provides students with access to live tutoring and e-mail communications.

Additionally, the College offers introductory computer courses for students that focus on basic computer literacy skills. These courses include CIS 102: Problem Solving and Programming Techniques; CIS 105: Computer Concepts; CIS 114: Microsoft Windows; and CIS 115: Software Applications.

Bossier Parish Community College employs technology to enhance student learning, is appropriate for meeting objectives of its programs and ensures that students have access to and training in the use of technology. BPCC Students have access to and are trained in the use of a variety of technological resources. Furthermore, every academic division employs some combination of technology in coursework, and faculty and staff receive ongoing training in utilizing technology.