Case Study Southwestern Assemblies of God University Southwestern Assemblies of God University Builds a Top-Notch Distance Learning Program with Tegrity
Challenge As Southwestern Assemblies of God University saw the market moving increasingly online, faculty began experimenting with delivering courses online. There were a lot of solutions available, but SAGU needed technology that was easy for students to use – so that students in the distance learning program didn’t lose anything by being online versus in a classroom. With approximately 2,100 students, SAGU’s goal was to offer a top-notch online program and see continued growth in distance learning enrollment. Another requirement was the ability to incorporate new faculty members into the program. Moreover, SAGU felt philosophically that there needed to be a component of engaging a student beyond reading a textbook, completing a paper and taking an exam.
Tegrity Solution SAGU didn’t want to use older technology to deliver on its need to provide significant content and personalization components to its courses. After seeing a demonstration at an industry conference, SAGU selected Tegrity to support its online coursework. SAGU started offering online programs the fall of 1984. In 2000, they began to offer online classes, and by spring of 2007, they were able to announce that they were fully online and able to offer an online degree program. SAGU now offers more than 50 degrees through its distance learning program, providing a minimum of four hours of Tegrity content, with a goal of providing eight
With Tegrity, SAGU offers a top-notch online program and sees continued growth in student enrollment in its distance learning program. Tegrity helps drive the agenda, clarify assignments and provide an inspirational aspect to student learning and achievement, engaging students beyond reading a textbook, completing a paper and taking an exam. Tegrity gives students options – from downloading lectures to watching streaming video or viewing lectures on the iPod, iPad and iPhone. CASE STUDY - PAGE 1
CASE STUDY
hours of Tegrity content. With Tegrity, professors can communicate the essential points they would communicate in a classroom setting. Tegrity helps drive the agenda, clarify assignments and provide an inspirational aspect to student learning and achievement. SAGU also uses Tegrity to provide training to faculty. Some faculty members never come to campus, and Tegrity helps them to be better instructors. Also, sample lectures are provided through the admissions process, allowing prospective students to get a feel for the program.
Results SAGU has observed that it’s not just one thing that creates a satisfied student; rather it encompasses an overall good feeling about the education students are getting. The faculty found that Tegrity is encouraging and inspiring students’ learning. Overall, student satisfaction with the distance learning program is between 86 and 92 percent; this can be correlated back to Tegrity. SAGU found Tegrity to be very integrated. The university did not have to buy a specific podium to use Tegrity, and since it is client-based, SAGU can put Tegrity on other machines via the Internet.
“We saw learning moving increasingly online. To meet our mission, we felt we had to build a high quality distance learning program. Tegrity helped us distinguish our program and increase student learning and satisfaction.” Joseph W. Hartman, M.S. Assistant Dean for Distance Education, Southwestern Assemblies of God University
Tegrity gave students options – from downloading lectures to watching streaming video, or using the mobile features to view lectures on the iPod, iPad and iPhone. Many students reported that they would not be able to do the coursework without Tegrity’s mobile capabilities. Its search capabilities also helped students refresh on finer points. Tegrity has helped distinguish SAGU’s distance learning program as top-notch and unique. Most schools offer textbook or discussion-based programs, whereas with Tegrity, SAGU students take a blended approach. Students also use Tegrity to do recordings. Before, students recorded speeches on one type of media and mailed it to the instructor. This created a challenge due to the many different formats. Tegrity solved this problem by providing a consistent platform to share content. SAGU’s instruction has changed to a learner-centered approach. With a blended approach of classroom and online learning, students are able to continue the active learning process on their own using Tegrity.
ABOUT TEGRITY Since 1995, Tegrity has provided award-winning lecture capture solutions that improve learning outcomes, impact retention and increase enrollment at over 400 educational institutions. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, Tegrity is led by a forward-thinking management team dedicated to impacting education worldwide with the creation of advanced teaching and learning systems.
For more information: Visit: www.tegrity.com/tegrity_demo/ Call: 1.800.411.0579 (option 4) Email: salesusa@tegrity.com
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