Innovative Educational Technology
University of Phoenix
selects technology pertinent to meeting the academic needs of the student,
faculty, and staff. University of Phoenix uses the latest innovative education
technology to remain the educational leader in online learning (University of
Phoenix, 2012). This Internet-based technology connects students all over the
world to instructors, classmates, and online e-learning resources. University
of Phoenix tools and applications available to students include mobile applications,
PhoenixConnect®, Center for Math Excellence, Center for Writing Excellence, and
an online library (University of Phoenix, 2012). These technology tools and
software enhance the students learning experience.
Computer Requirements
University
of Phoenix requires students have adequate Internet access and bandwidth to
complete assignments, download classroom materials, and collaborate with
classmates (University of Phoenix, 2012). Each student is responsible for
meeting proper computer requirements for hardware and peripherals like using a
2 GHz or faster processer, and software applications like Windows XP or Mac OS
(University of Phoenix, 2012). Students will use Microsoft Office 2007 to
prepare and submit their assignments. University of Phoenix supplies students
free downloads for software needed for specific courses like Microsoft Visual
Studio.NET and Adobe Photoshop via their virtual desktop (University of
Phoenix, 2012). University of Phoenix provides students with a complimentary
student email address so they can receive technology upgrade updates
(University of Phoenix, 2012).
University of Phoenix offers students using
an iPhone, iPad, or Android Smartphone a complimentary mobile app so they can
attend class from virtually any location (University of Phoenix, 2012). Students can
access messages and post responses, post comments to discussion questions,
view, edit, and save classroom drafts, and receive weekly feedback and grades (University of
Phoenix, 2012).
Center for
Writing Excellence
Center for Writing Excellence (CWE) assists students in creating,
organizing, and editing college-level academic written papers. CWE provides
students with computer-generated or visually reviewed feedback on submitted
papers (University
of Phoenix, 2012). Technology tools as River Point Writer provides
students with an APA formatted writing template (University of Phoenix, 2012).
WritePoint reviews papers on grammar and style and
provides students with a computer-generated report (University of Phoenix, 2012). Students
use Plagiarism Checker to ensure they have not omitted citing published work
from others (University
of Phoenix, 2012). The Reference Citation Generator assists students in
submitting APA properly formatted references and in-text citations (University of
Phoenix, 2012).
Center for Mathematics Excellence
The Center for
Mathematics Excellence (CME) assists students increase their math skills by
offering math and statistics online tutorials so students can reduce anxiety
associated with solving mathematical problems (University of Phoenix, 2012). These tutorials receive support through ALEKS Assessment
and Learning in Knowledge Spaces proprietary software and range in difficulty
from basic college-level math to finite math (University of Phoenix, 2012). Some classes in math and statistics use a Worldwide
Whiteboard Web conferencing for synchronous online tutoring (University of Phoenix, 2012).
University
Library
The
Online University Library offers students the ability to research via their
virtual desktop-catalogued up-to-date documents continuously (University of Phoenix, 2012). Students
receive search results from inputting keywords and indexing phrases.
PhoenixConnect® is a
private educationally focused social network that allows students the
opportunity to collaborate real-time with faculty, staff, and alumni on
classroom topics (University
of Phoenix, 2012). Students create a
user profile and have access to videos, podcasts, tutorials, blogs, and instant
chat messaging (University
of Phoenix, 2012). PhoenixConnect®
enhances the student online learning experience beyond the traditional academic
classroom life experience.
Campus and Online Learning Formats
University of Phoenix online students attend
class via the Online Learning System (OLS). The innovative propriety software design
recognizes the evolution of technology in the workplace and the requirements of
the working adult attending school (University
of Phoenix, 2012). Students have access
to classroom materials, books, financial aid applications, workshops, tutoring
sessions, and graduation teams (University of Phoenix, 2012). The
specific web-based technology tools vary among the degree programs offered. The
College of Information Systems and Technology students use numerous third-party
software products like Cisco, LiveLab, and Toolwire to enhance their learning
experience whereas The College of Education students use the Technology Resource Library, virtual
organizations, and TaskStream (University of Phoenix, 2012).
Virtual
Organizations
University of Phoenix offers students customized learning
tools to bridge the gap between theory and hands-on application with virtual
organizations (University
of Phoenix, 2012). Virtual organizations teach students critical
thinking skills to respond to real-life organizational scenarios.
