Web site:  columbusstate.edu/degreein3

Mary Covington, Executive Director, IT Services, Columbus State University

Notes from session:

• Program:
  • Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grant.
  • Degree in 3 years. 1st year get a certificate. 2nd year get an Associates. 3rd year get a degree.
  • $18,000 degree.
  • At least 1/3rd low income.
  • Early intervention.
  • All online courses. Standardization of course design.
• Session talk:
  • Columbus State University owns computers and loan to students for 3 years. (After graduation, student keeps the computer.)
  • Proctored tests. Google Chromebooks, but Lockdown browser does not work on them. ProctorU used instead.
  • Since all the data really is up in the cloud, easily exchange the machine.
  • Students signed commitment letter to send the machine back. Only close call, the student changed mind after talking to an advisor.
  • 100% online degree technical support, 24/7 campus support, outsource after hours.
• Lessons learned:
  • Know the funding plan
  • Do not specify type of technology in the grant.
  • IT people make IT decisions.
  • Vendors will try to coerce.
  • Know purchasing processes.
  • Just in time purchasing is hard.
  • Warranty process not well understood.
  • Students already have access to a computer or library already.
• Next steps
  • In year 3 of 3.
  • 4 more sessions.

Got to explain what is Collaborative Programs, Georgia ONmyLINE, and Ingress for the presenter.