MATTHEW WARD
matthew.ward@suffolknewsherald.com

Special to The Tidewater News

Paul D. Camp Community College has been honored for its use of digital technology by an organization that researches trends in educational technology and policy.

PDCCC tied for sixth place in the nation among community colleges in the Small Colleges Category — 5,000 Students or Less, in The Center for Digital Education’s ninth annual Digital Community Colleges Survey.

Survey questions examined the college’s integration of digital and emerging technologies, such as use of mobile devices and the availability of technology tools and training for faculty and staff.

Technology priorities, infrastructure and networks, collaboration and outreach efforts and use of technology innovations were also considered.

“This is the first year PDCCC has ranked in the digital survey, although we have participated annually as early as 2007,” according to Wendy Harrison, a PDCCC spokeswoman.

As examples of the college embracing digital technology, Harrison cited:

• The launch of mobile apps for iPhone and Android devices, giving mobile access to courses, events, campus news, videos and more

• The Microsoft Student Advantage program, giving students free access to Office 365

• E-books and academic databases provided by the library and accessible to students while off-campus

• iPads provided to most full-time faculty members, which can be paired with AirServer, installed on a workstation in each classroom, for wireless presentations

• The use of Panopto by some instructors to create videos and lectures students can view on their computer, laptop or smartphone

• Virtual classroom meetings with Blackboard Collaborate

• Online tutorials with Atomic Learning, giving unlimited access to online resources about popular software packages, such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Suite and Blackboard

“This ranking means that students know they will be provided with the latest tools and access they need for successful completion of their classes, degree or certificate at PDCCC,” Harrison stated.

“Many of our students are non-traditional and are juggling jobs, family responsibilities and school. They need an array of options that allow them the flexibility to access course information and deadlines at any time from any place.”

The college has made a conscious effort to push technology, according to Harrison.

“Things are ever-changing in the technology realm and we have to stay in the game to provide students with what they need to make their educational experience productive and seamless,” she added.

College President Dr. Paul Wm. Conco said, “We do a very good job of staying on top of technology trends in order to achieve first-rate student learning environments.

“Everything requires us to be technologically savvy these days, and it’s great to know that for a small college of more than 2,600 students, we are keeping up with other community colleges in the country,” he added.

MATTHEW WARD is a staff writer at The Suffolk News-Herald.