Title III Strengthening Institutions Grant

In August 2003, a five year U.S. Department of Education Title III Strengthening Institutions grant was awarded to Lower Columbia College. It was designed to help improve and update programs and services at the college.

Major accomplishments of this grant from 2003 - 2008 include:

Implemented the ANGEL Course Management System
which created improved access to class materials and an increase in hybrid-class and online course offerings. This ultimately resulted in the formation of an eLearning department staffed by a full time director, full time program assistant, and a work-study student.

Developed a New Web Site
which has become an essential communication, marketing and student recruitment tool across campus and in the larger community.

Provided an Electronic Document Imaging System in Registration and Financial Aid
which replaced an entire room and several file cabinets of paper files and increased the efficiency of service to students. Expanded the technology to the Human Resources and Finance offices for 2008-09 implementation.

Purchased Technology for Classrooms
By Fall 2008 almost every classroom on the campus will be equipped with computer, projector, sound system and DVD player. Title III contributed the following:

• 8 Smart Boards
• 25 computers
• 27 projectors
• 1 large lecture hall / theatre projector
• 41 speaker sets
• 13 document camera presenters
• 9 DVD players
• 1 DVD/VCR with closed caption video capability
• 2 cameras and a DVD camcorder for Distance Education
• 1 scanner/printer/copier for GED instructors
• 8 flat screen monitors for Math Outcomes Lab

Purchased Check-Out Technology for Faculty
now available in the Library:

• 10 laptop computers
• Laptop security cart with wireless access, keyboard, and speakers
• 2 projectors
• 3 digital cameras
• 1 digital video camera
• 2 document camera presenters
• 1 scanner for faculty use in copy room
• 2 podcast kits for checkout through the eLearning Office

Provided Professional Development Activities for Faculty and Staff:

• Provided nearly 200 technology, pedagogy, and student services on-campus professional development sessions
• Sent 169 faculty and staff to 56 off-campus conferences & workshops
• Brought 5 national speakers to campus
• Increased faculty using technology:
  86% of full-time and 81% of part-time faculty have implemented at least one new technology training.
• Increased faculty using pedagogical best practices: 81% of full-time and 77% of part-time faculty have implemented at least two pedagogy trainings

Developed a Professional Library,
consisting of 265 books, 13 videotapes, 10 digital tapes, 18 CD’s and 19 DVD’s, which will be permanently housed in the college library as part of the Learning Commons. Also available in the Learning Commons are 10 learning-tool kits for faculty checkout to assist students with learning problems.

Piloted a Math 092-099 Cohort Course
which is now institutionalized, moving students through 10 credits of math in one quarter.

Supported Development of the Math Outcomes Lab for Outcomes Testing and a Math Remediation Lab
Soon to be known as the Math Resources Lab, providing remediation for all pre-college math students. This program was discontinued in the Spring of 2009 due to budget cutbacks.

Piloted Math ADDvantage Pre-Registration Math Review Course
Curriculum has been incorporated into a Student Support Services’ math bridges course

Piloted a Mandatory 2-credit INDV 085 College Readiness Course for New Pre-College Students
to provide a first-year program introducing skills needed in the college culture.

Funded curriculum development projects implementing best practices in:

• Math
• Math Outcomes Lab - this program was discontinued in the Spring of 2009 due to budget cutbacks
• Transition Math Project
• Math in Early Childhood Education
• English
• Nursing
• Political Science
• Biology
• Environmental Science
• Physical Science, Biology, and Earth Science for educators
• Integrated Biology-English learning community
• Study Skills workshop for student orientation

Provided Targeted, Intrusive Pre-College Advising

Supported Development of Online Advising

Supported Purchase of Online Education Planning Program
to be implemented soon.

Developed Online Math Tutoring and Chemistry Math Materials
in Tutoring Services.

Provided Supplemental Instruction Supervisor Training
leading to increased supplemental instruction offerings in Tutoring Services.