This article describes how community colleges have evolved from early computers to virtual campuses and beyond in just a few decades.

Similar to the online revolution of the mid-1990s, hybrid-learning classes are redefining how community college students access higher education. Hybrid classes combine online and in-person learning to provide options for students, colleges. The author's perspective is based on experiences at two very different institutions: At Rio Salado College,…

This article features Pennsylvania's Montgomery County Community College (MCCC), the nation's number 1 technologically advanced community college, and describes the college's secrets and strategies to success. Although technology underpins much of what MCCC does, the college does not receive the honor--from the Center for Digital Education and…

Smart classrooms are just as popular on other community college campuses. Through a combination of PowerPoint presentations, videos, Web pages, and other technologies, faculty can engage students using multimedia to create a richer, more compelling learning experience. This article talks about the use of smart classrooms and the educational…

This article talks about the latest trend in education, which is social networking. As this phenomenon continues to grow, community colleges are getting into the act, launching online initiatives and harnessing the technology to communicate, promote, and conduct important school business. School administrators believe that social networking can…

As technology becomes more pervasive on community college campuses, administrators are leveraging emerging solutions to cultivate highly interactive learning environments, using next-generation tools to target instruction and furiously digitizing arcane administrative functions. Despite the potential to revolutionize the community college campus,…

Facilities that accommodate technology are much in demand today and nowhere more so than at colleges and in other learning environments all over the country. But the cry for "high-tech facilities" rings false: Buildings designed simply to look high-tech will be outdated more quickly than ever. It is no surprise that the very best…

The .edu domain was originally intended for use by all educational levels. Since 1993, however, .edu names have been technically reserved for four-year institutions of higher education, leaving .us, .org or .net domains for two-year colleges. Nevertheless, 20% of 400 .edu names currently held by community colleges have been awarded since 1993.…

Over the last 10 years the Internet has become an essential part of the way companies do business. These days, it is as important to have a Web site as it is to have a phone book listing. Unfortunately, many Web sites are riddled with perplexing navigation and unclear priorities that leave many users confused and frustrated. This article presents…

Examines indicators of current social and educational transformations created by recent advances in information technology. Describes the American Association for Higher Education's Teaching, Learning, and Technology Roundtable Program, designed to monitor and direct the transformation at individual colleges. Includes a checklist for assessing the…

Discusses the impact of information technology on education, terms of the inevitability of change, and current educational uses of computers, multimedia, simulations, collaborative writing, electronic bulletin boards, independent learning systems, and distance learning. Considers the improvements in communications, information access, and learning…

Describes the Florida Automated System for Transferring Educational Records (FASTER) project, which permits the electronic exchange of student transcripts; uses of similar electronic data interchange (EDI) programs in other states; and the national SPEEDE/ExPRESS project, which uses a standard format for transferring electronic transcripts.…

States that community colleges should evaluate the intent of the technology being implemented and determine how it serves their mission and delivery of education. Discusses the impact of technology on teaching and administrative support, telecommunication and interaction, implementing interactive synchronous technology, benefits of…

The Foothill-De Anza Community College District has digitalized student transcripts, and will create a Student Success Network (SSN) that will provide (1) online Individual Educational Plans for students; (2) electronic student portfolios to facilitate early identification of "at risk" students; and (3) a Counselor Web Portal for online…

Discusses the efforts of the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) to implement a statewide standardized electronic information processing system, the Institutional Information Processing System. Describes the steps taken by the NCCCS to decide on the appropriate platform, hardware and software vendors, and implementation timetable. (MAB)