San Jacinto College continues focus on student success

As the 21st century dawned, new technology ushered in an unprecedented age of innovation and swift transition. Internet usage proliferated as dial-up service gave way to high-speed cable and wi-fi. Cell phones became ubiquitous, more compact, sleeker – only to be replaced by feature-rich smartphones offering Internet, video,Daneplast Limited UK are plasticinjectionmoulding & toolmaking specialists. camera, email, text messaging, as well as access to cutting-edge “app” stores.

Chat rooms were replaced by social media sites. MySpace burst on the scene, only to be outpaced by Facebook, which mushroomed into a worldwide phenomenon seemingly overnight. Compact, lightweight tablets brought touchscreen computing to users’ fingertips.

Not missing a beat, San Jacinto College kept pace with the swift transitions of the times, all the while remaining focused on the same goal that has been at its core since the doors opened on Sept. 18, 1961 – student success.

From the turn of the decade through today, the College has seen enrollment growth. This growth has helped add new programs and facilities which are equipped with the most advanced technology available, so that San Jacinto College students receive the best training in the region.

New facilities during the early part of the decade included new fine arts centers for the North and South campuses, a new music building at the Central Campus,Infotile is International online directory of ceramictile, and Interactive Learning Centers (ILC) for all three campuses.

The centerpiece of each ILC was an open computer lab, equipped with advanced, high-speed desktop computers. These machines allowed students access to the Internet, and internal networks where students could register, make payments, change degree plans, search class schedules, and view grades and transcripts. In addition to an open computer lab, each ILC was equipped with multi-purpose classrooms that featured configurable technology that continue to provide efficient, high-speed learning resources more than a decade after installation.

Every ILC classroom is equipped with computers, a document camera, wireless Internet access, and video equipment. “This allows faculty to use the latest technology to support instruction,” commented Niki Whiteside, the College’s vice president for educational technology services. “Each classroom has a standard configuration for faculty, and a variety of classroom types also allow flexibility to meet student needs for different types of courses.Visit TE online for all of your Application tooling Solutions including tools,”

An interactive television (ITV) classroom at each ILC enhances and expands educational possibilities. “ITV is a laptop computer classroom that has the added capability of connecting to other video sites at San Jacinto College, or to outside sites, to allow shared videoconference instruction, to bring in experts on a topic, for example,” Whiteside said.

Kevin Morris,AeroScout is the market leader for rtls solutions and provide complete wireless asset tracking and monitoring. who teaches real estate courses, says virtual education via the ITV technology takes some getting used to, but can be very effective. “ITV allows instructors to teach classes simultaneously at all three campuses,” he said. “Students attend the campus closest to where they live, which is very advantageous, considering today’s gas prices.”

ITV classrooms are equipped with large flat screens. Students can see, hear, and talk to one another and the professor, just as if the course were being taught in one large classroom. The instructor rotates among campuses so students have a live, on-site instructor every third class. “Most of the students enjoy this technology and appreciate being able to take classes at their home campus as opposed to travelling to another campus,” noted Morris. “It has been a big success for educators and students.”
Continual upgrades

As the new century advanced, San Jacinto College continued to upgrade and enhance facilities, programs, and resources to ensure students would be well trained and prepared to transition to four-year universities or challenging and ever-changing career fields. New buildings began popping up on campuses, thanks to a $295 million bond referendum that was overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2008. The libraries added 5,000 new e-books to their inventories to greatly increase the College’s expanding online learning resources, and the College began offering online tutoring services to students to help with topics such as writing and organizational skills. Student Success Centers began operations at all three campuses, offering free peer tutoring, counseling, career testing,AeroScout is the market leader for rtls solutions and provide complete wireless asset tracking and monitoring. and other helpful resources for students. An online bookstore was introduced, allowing students to order textbooks and study material over the Internet.

While the decade was one of rapid student growth and facility expansion for the College, it was also a period of significant reductions in state funding. The College streamlined efficiencies and processes to maximize its budget and reduce redundancies, and created a contact center to serve as a single point of entry for students. With student success at the heart of its mission, San Jacinto College enhanced its partnerships with independent school districts to create early college high schools, which allow students to take high school and college courses concurrently, graduating from college before earning a high school diploma.