Post University: The Pioneers of Technology in

Education Suzanne Theriault, Post University

Post University: Historical Facts

• Founded in 1890 in Waterbury, CT as the Matoon Shorthand School

• 1965, after 5 name changes, acquires land on Country Club Road for main campus• Called Post Junior College at this time• Main Campus location still exists here

• 1976, changes name to Post College, and achieves 4-year institution status• The first accelerated program, aimed at Vietnam veterans, is incepted

• 1980, first Bachelor’s degree is awarded

• 1986, Drubner Center acquired to create athletics facility. Also, first corporate partnerships with Johnson & Johnson, Pratt & Whitney, Cigna, and The Hartford occur

• 1990, becomes Teikyo Post University by partnering with Teikyo University in Japan• College sees an influx in Japanese students• More land is purchased to accommodate increase in student population

• 1996, changes name to Post University, and creates the first regionally accredited all online accelerated degree program in the state of CT

http://www.post.edu/about/history

Technologies: How and Why They’re Used in the Classroom

• BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)• Allows students to use their own laptops, smartphones, or tablets in the

classroom• Students tap into the web server to connect to the school’s internet

• Can be used for various teaching and learning opportunities• Examples: Viewing videos, participating in web lectures, watching virtual

slideshows• Utilized to make learning more adapted to the individual student

• Wearable Technology• Can track various aspects of student learning

• Examples: Time spent studying, understanding of lessons, putting knowledge into practice

• Certain technologies can give additional information on the subject matter• Google Glass can scan the information and provide helpful facts to build upon

lesson plans• Utilized to better communicate information, track vital statistics, and create a

more interactive learning environment

NMC horizon report: 2015 higher education edition. New Media Consortium

Scenario Building – An Overview

• Scenarios are interpretations of probable happenings• Often confused with predictions, scenarios focus on facts, trends, and

events to create a story that could happen, instead of trying to foresee a definite outcome

• It’s vital to create scenarios that are reasonable, reliable, and efficient in the decision-making process

• All portions of the scenario should lie in reality, as these are meant to serve as a roadmap for possible future events

• Far superior method to others used for future-casting• Scenario building creates challenges, including those found

belowDifficulties creating believable situations

Not all scenarios will be helpful

Number of outcomes can limit potential possibilities

Creative process can be deterred by preconceptions

Is an incomplete method for the process of futuring

Outcomes vary on person’s specific viewpoint

Environmental Scanning – An overview

• Provides futurists with notice of hypothetically significant impending outside alterations prior to occurrence• These can include, but are not limited to, social, environmental, political,

fiscal, and technological factors• Due to the number of factors involved, the range of scanning is extensive

• Three levels of environment• Task environment – the patrons of a particular institution• Industry environment – includes all of the enterprises linked to a business• Macroenvironment – Accommodations of aforementioned factors can

either directly or indirectly affect an institution

• Several hurdles faced by using scanning are as follows:Reliably interpreted data can be tricky

Scanning is a consistent process

Issues to be focused on must be prioritized

Also an incomplete method of futuring

Educational Trends

• Mobile Devices in the Classroom• Blackboard app can be used on various personal devices

• These include iPads, laptops, and cellular phones• The app can use Wi-Fi or Data stream to connect• Allows students to write discussion board posts, check grades, and

perform various other tasks• This affects anyone who utilizes online learning, whether as a main

source of education or as a supplementary means• Can help with information retention, concept assimilation, and

increased learning capacity• Streamlines the learning process

Education Trends Cont’d

• Increased interest in online learning• Students from various educational, ethnic, and demographic

backgrounds are creating a boom in online learning• Online enrollment continues to grow annually

• While traditional programs continue to exist, they no longer monopolize the market on education

• Distance education provides the same high-quality learning experience as traditional learning

• Tends to be less costly than on-campus programs• Traditional education continues to see a rise in tuition at a higher

rate than inflation

Budgetary Trends

• Low-Income and underprepared students are less successful in online environments for various reasons• Lack of social, emotional, collegiate, and educator support are

factors• Absence of organization in online structures can also contribute• Students who fall into these categories tend to be less likely to

complete an entire degree fully online• In addition, those who are lower-income or underprepared are not as

likely to be retained in future courses than those in traditional courses• There is no significant data that proves that online education is

more beneficial than on-campus learning

Demographic Trends

• Online only vs. Traditional learning• Strictly online students tend to be mostly female, Caucasian, and

low-income• Age of online students tends to be older than those of on-campus

students, typically by 10 years of age or more• Online education has more benefits for ethnically and linguistically

diverse students, typically• Additionally, students who speak multiple languages are more inclined

towards online education than that of campus learning

Scenario for 2020

• Expand the hybrid and online classrooms, including international expansion• As interest in online classes continues to rise, more options become

available to students and University administration• Can create a more cost-effective route to educational goals

• While Tech and ECM fees exist, overall cost is less than traditional campus degrees

• Allows for students to graduate at an accelerated rate• Creates greater revenue for the University

Benefits: Challenges: Lower overhead for colleges/universities Utilizing educators without burning them out More sections of the same class can be

offered Creating a seamless transition for traditional

students to online environments Fewer fees for students (e.g. no room and

board, meal plans, etc.) Keeping students engaged and interested without

face-to-face interactions Pre-built classes can easily be transitioned

online Creating and maintaining student support

Less chance of financial loss for the institution

Technical difficulties and issues

Ability to reach a broader demographic of students

Lack of access to updated technology and software

Plan for Change

• Train current faculty on how to oversee an online classroom

• Develop the brand by partnering with international schools• Create new or modify existing licensing to include corporate partnerships

• Enhance Electronic Course Materials• Add new resources, adapt online library for easier access/use, utilize Khan

Academy an Lynda.com

• Incorporate virtual office hours using WebEx or other video conferencing• Skype or Google+ may be comparable

• Broaden marketing• Magazine advertisements, national TV commercials, extra website ads

• Hire bi- and multi-lingual instructors• This will assist with international and non-native English speaking

students

Call to Action

• Convert all textbooks to Electronic Course Materials or E-books• Gain purchasing rights to texts

• Can utilize scanners or “ripping” software to convert existing texts to electronic format

• Expand online library contents• Incorporate Google Scholar and Purdue Owl as resources

• Getting rid of physical texts saves both the University and the students money

• Build new majors and minors into the online degree section• Add the Sociology major and Philosophy, Mathematics, and English

minors• Since classes and syllabi already exist, adaptation should be relatively simple• Work with current faculty to incorporate course materials and learning

objectives

References

• Baturay, M. H., & Yukselturk, E. (2015, July). The role of online education preferences on student's achievement. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 16(3), 3-12.

• Book Ripper. (2015). Home. Retrieved from ww5.bkrpr.org: http://ww5.bkrpr.org/?gkwrf=http%3A%2F%2Fteleread.com%2Fpaul-biba%2Fconvert-your-own-books-a-new-resource%2F

• Blackboard Inc. (2010). Blackboard mobile learn. Retrieved from www.blackboard.com: http://www.blackboard.com/resources/mobile/mobile_learn_splash/desktop/portal-nonsprint.html#blackberry

• Cornish, E. (2004). Futuring: the exploration of the future. Bethesda: The World Future Society.

• Cristol, D., & Gimbert, B. (2014). Academic achievements in BYOD classrooms. Journal of Applied Learning Technology, 4(1), 24-30.

• Delgado, R. (2014, April 20). Imagining the classroom of 2016, empowered by wearable technology. Retrieved from www.emergingedtech.com: http://www.emergingedtech.com/2014/04/imaging-the-classroom-of-2016-empowered-by-wearable-technology/

References Cont’d

• Education Commission of the States. (2011, August). Higher education reform: next-generation models to increase success and control costs. The Progress of Education Reform, 12(4), 1-4.

• European Commission. (2007). Scenario building. Retrieved from forlearn.jrc.ec.europa.eu: http://forlearn.jrc.ec.europa.eu/guide/4_methodology/meth_scenario.htm#Pros_Cons

• Gardner, H. (n.d.). Multiple intelligences. Retrieved from howardgardner.com: http://howardgardner.com/multiple-intelligences/

• George, S. (2013, March 6). The future of education: Sajan George at TEDxUNC. Retrieved from www.youtube.com: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah-SmLEMgis

• Google. (n.d.). Google Scholar. Retrieved from scholar.google.com: https://scholar.google.com/• Johnson, G. M. (2015). On-campus and fully-online university students: comparing demographics,

digital technology use and learning characteristics. Journal of University Teaching & Learning Practice, 12(1), 1-14.

• Marklein, M. B. (2013, September 3). Data measure value of a college degree. Retrieved from www.usatoday.com: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/09/03/how-higher-education-pays/2755345/

• Millett, S. M. (2001, September-October). Five principles of futuring as applied history. The Futurist, 45(5). Retrieved from www.wfs.org: http://www.wfs.org/content/futurist/september-october-2011-vol-45-no-5/five-principles-futuring-applied-historyk

References Cont’d

• Morrison, J. L. (2005, March 9). Environmental scanning. Retrieved from www.horizon.unc.edu: http://www.horizon.unc.edu/courses/papers/enviroscan/

• Mroz, D. (2014, August). Town Hall Meetings.• New Media Consortium. (2015). NMC horizon report: 2015 higher education edition. New Media

Consortium.• Nguyen, T. (2015, June). The effectiveness of online learning: beyond no significant difference

and future horizons. MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 11(2), 309-319.• Post University. (2015). About. Retrieved from www.post.edu: http://www.post.edu/about• Post University. (2015). History. Retrieved from www.post.edu: http://www.post.edu/about/history• Post University. (2015). Locations. Retrieved from www.post.edu:

http://www.post.edu/about/campus-locations• Post University. (2015). Online. Retrieved from www.post.edu: http://www.post.edu/tuition-and-

financial-aid/tuition/online

References Cont’d

• Post University. (2014-2015). Post University Catalog. Waterbury: Post University.• Post University. (2015). Quick facts. Retrieved from www.post.edu:

http://www.post.edu/news/quick-facts• Post University. (2015). Undergraduate degrees/minors. Retrieved from www.post.edu:

http://www.post.edu/degrees-and-programs/campus-programs/undergraduate-degrees; http://www.post.edu/degrees-and-programs/campus-programs/undergraduate-minors

• Post University. (n.d.). Traurig digital library. Retrieved from post.blackboard.com: https://post.blackboard.com/webapps/portal/execute/tabs/tabAction?tab_tab_group_id=_710_1

• Purdue Online Writing Lab. (2015). Welcome to the purdue owl. Retrieved from owl.english.purdue.edu: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/

• Riedel, C. (2014, February 3). 10 major technology trends in education. Retrieved from thejournal.com: http://thejournal.com/Articles/2014/02/03/10-Major-Technology-Trends-in-Education.aspx?Page=1

References Cont’d

• Skiff, D. (2009, June 24). What is self-directed learning? Retrieved from www.selfdirectedlearning.org: http://www.selfdirectedlearning.org/what-is-self-directed-learning

• Slavin, R. E. (2012). Educational psychology: Theory and practice (10th ed.). Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America: Pearson Education, Inc.

• Sobrero, P. M. (2004, June). The steps for futuring. Retrieved from www.joe.org: http://www.joe.org/joe/2004june/comm2.php

• The University of Potomac. (2014). Online learning vs. traditional learning. Retrieved from potomac.edu: https://potomac.edu/learning/online-learning-vs-traditional-learning/

• The University of Washington. (2013, January). Exploring the pros and cons of online, hybrid, and face-to-face class formats. Leading change in public higher education, 1-6. Retrieved from http://www.washington.edu/provost/files/2012/11/edtrends_Pros-Cons-ClassFormats.pdf

• U. S. News & World Report LP. (2015). Colleges in Connecticut. Retrieved from colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com: http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/ct

• University Business Staff. (2006, December). 101 smart revenue generators (and money-saving ideas). Retrieved from www.universitybusiness.com: http://www.universitybusiness.com/article/101-smart-revenue-generators-and-money-saving-ideas