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. (Use of Technology to Enhance Student Learning)

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Narrative: Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College (OCtech) is committed to enhancing the student learning environment by providing current and appropriate technology access for its students and faculty. Evidence of the College's commitment is seen in the OCtech Strategic Plan, the OCtech annual budget, and in its programs and services. College-level activities and practices ensure that the 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.

One of the OCtech core academic skills is computer literacy. Most students demonstrate competency by successfully completing CPT 170. Technology competencies are also embedded throughout each academic program.

TECHNOLOGY APPROPRIATE FOR PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
The application of technology within the educational programs of the College is guided by input from OCtech Advisory Committees, the College's planning process, and the IT Team. OCtech seeks to directly enhance the quality of educational programs through integrating technology across curricula and using industry standard technology that is appropriate to each program. Technology is used to facilitate the delivery of instruction designed to maximize achievement of program and course objectives. Technology is also used extensively for student access to educational materials and resources and in student access to the College's services and information.

The delivery of instruction is accomplished through various technologies. Many classes utilize presentation software, primarily PowerPoint, to enhance instruction. Numerous other types of classroom resources are available using technology. Electronic databases, remediation software, simulated testing, and collaboration tools are all available for student and faculty use in the delivery of instruction. Classes utilize the Internet to obtain the latest information and to access specific web resources. In the Fall 2004 term, the College had 263 students enrolled in online courses. The College provides WebCT as a collaborative instructional platform for distance learning instruction.

STUDENT ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY
The commitment of OCtech to the use of technology is observed in the number of computers utilized in the various curriculum departments and in continuing education instruction. An inventory compiled in August of 2004, shows over 300 computers with application software for instructional use at OCtech in classrooms and labs. Classroom technology for the display of media and graphic materials is available for faculty and students in most classrooms. Additional laptops, LCD projectors, and document cameras are also available from the library for checkout.

The Student Life and Community building houses a student computer lab containing eighty stations. A variety of software programs are available for to support student success. The Learning Express Library provides a completely interactive online learning platform of practice tests and tutorial course series designed to help patrons, students, and adult learners succeed on academic or licensing tests. Students get immediate scoring, complete answer explanations, and an individualized analysis of results. Students have access here, and anywhere else on campus, to over 4,000 hours of PLATO software for use by developmental students in the areas of reading, writing, grammar, mathematics, and science. PRAXIS and ParaPro simulated testing and remediation software applications are also available. Three additional technology labs support specialized student use. There is a twenty--station writing lab that provides tutorial and writing skills assistance, a Nursing and Health Sciences support lab, and an additional twenty-station reading skills lab.

The OCtech library contains a fifteen station computer lab for training and also provides twelve computers for individual use. Because the College wants to remain technologically current, computers in the labs and library have a replacement cycle of three years. The replacement cycle is partially dependent on software requirements and available funding and may vary somewhat depending on type of use.

The Student Services Division uses technology to enhance services and provide better accessibility to students. Materials pertaining to admissions, advising, registration, counseling, and financial aid are available online. The Assessment Center uses COMPASS (computer assessment software) to assess student skills in the areas of reading, writing, and math. Web-based diagnostic tools from ACT are also available. WebAdvisor allows students to register for courses, drop/add courses, and check final grades online. KUDER, an Internet-based career exploration program, is available for student use.

In Spring 2003, the College implemented Campus Cruiser, a portal platform for managing, tracking, and sharing information online through email, message boards, discussion groups, and other publishing features. Campus Cruiser is available to all students and provides them with email accounts, a need identified by student surveys. Campus Cruiser has improved student communications with faculty and provides students with easier access to course and College information. In Spring 2003, the College implemented SMARTHINKING, a web-based program providing online tutoring services to students. SMARTHINKING provides services in the following areas: writing, mathematics, biology, chemistry, accounting, and foreign language.

TRAINING IN THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY
At the beginning of each semester, student orientations sessions in the use of WebCT and Campus Cruiser are offered to new online course registrants. A help desk is available in the large Tourville lab to assist students with computer questions and email. All developmental students receive an orientation to the lab resources used in their developmental courses. The staff of the library conducts training in the use of information technology and resources as requested by faculty in the library training lab.

Student survey results indicate a high level of student satisfaction with OCtech technology access and technology services. For 2004, 90.6% of students indicated that OCtech technology increased their learning.