Carroll Community College fully embraces technology to promote learning in its instructional programming and delivery, and to optimize effectiveness in its administrative operations. The college is wireless-capable throughout, all classrooms have “smart” Internet and presentation technology, and nearly all classes provide 24/7 access to web-based resources through the Blackboard course management system and online library databases. Enrollment in online courses is growing steadily, with a fifth of the college’s credit students taking at least one online class each year. Noncredit computer classes enroll 1,400 annually, and the 2008 Summer Kids@Carroll program included 25 technology-related classes with enrollment of 269 children age 3 to 14. The college has been recognized with three national awards since 2005 for its use of technology in higher education.

Technology is featured in the college’s five-year plan, Compass: Charting the Course to 2010, being one of the college’s six strategic priorities: “Make optimal use of technology to promote student learning and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of college operations.” Compass elaborates on this priority: Robust, state-of-the-market technologies will be used to engage students and foster learning; support flexible learning opportunities; provide a stimulating learning environment; insure access to resources for students and employees; increase efficiencies in operations; promote the college within the community; and provide a secure information technology environment. The college recently completed its Technology Master Plan for FY2009–FY2014, containing strategic technology goals and timelines to maintain its commitment to outstanding technology utilization.

In October 2008, the Center for Digital Education, Converge magazine, and the American Association of Community Colleges recognized Carroll Community College as one of 31 community colleges nationally for its outstanding application of technology in higher education. The award reflected technology use including online student services, information infrastructure and security, campus security notification systems, online library services, and classroom technology. This is the second time the college has received this award, since first receiving it in 2005. Further, the college’s website was named a “Best of the Web” winner by the same organization in 2005, in recognition of the appearance, navigability, and functionality of the site.

Back to top