Component Update

• Pool of Mobile Hotspots:
  To provide wireless internet access to students and staff, Phoenix College has partnered with Kajeet, a service provider offering prepaid plans for hotspot distribution. The initial phase involves ordering around 75 hotspots for both Phoenix College and South Mountain Community College, planned for the second quarter of 2024. This initiative is crucial for ensuring reliable internet access and bridging the digital divide. Additionally, five high-capacity Verizon hotspots have been designated for training activities across both campuses, further enhancing connectivity for educational purposes.

• Co-Working Space:
  Planning is underway for two new co-working spaces equipped with five workstations and two-room PODS for hybrid-flex teaching. These spaces are designed to offer expanded hours beyond traditional schedules and will be secured with on-site campus safety personnel. Additional facilities will include meeting rooms, computer hardware, and printing capabilities. A location at Phoenix College has been identified, with installation scheduled for the third quarter of 2024, pending SHPO and THPO clearances. These spaces will provide students and faculty with flexible, secure environments for collaboration and learning.

  • • PC space in the R Building cannot be utilized until November due to construction delays. SMCC discussions to commence over summer.

• Campus Data Center Assessment:
  The initiative to review and maintain the college's data center resources is currently on hold pending SHPO and THPO clearances. This assessment is critical for ensuring the reliability and efficiency of the college's digital infrastructure.

  • • Pending THPO approval expected in June 2024.

• Campus Wireless Broadband Upgrades:
  This project focuses on enhancing wireless broadband across campuses to ensure reliable internet access for students and faculty. With the anticipated depletion of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) funding by April 2024, the deployment of 75 hotspots at Phoenix College and South Mountain Community College will mitigate this impact. Additionally, large-capacity hotspots are being introduced to facilitate consistent internet access for remote education, ensuring all students have the necessary connectivity.

  • • Pending THPO approval expected in June 2024.

• Flex Learning for Information Technology Courses:
  Potential collaboration with Maricopa Corporate College is being explored to offer flexible learning options for IT courses and develop resources to support multiple learning channels. This initiative aims to allow students to learn in various formats, accommodating different learning styles and schedules.

  • • Ongoing discussions are pending the development of a revised proposal for consideration by the PC team in June 2024.

• English Second Language (ESL) Laptops:
  500 laptops have been purchased, and distribution has started for ESL students, streamlining the distribution process to ensure compliance with grant requirements. The next phase involves surveying to evaluate the project's impact on students. This initiative is designed to enhance the learning experience for ESL students by providing them with the necessary technological tools.

  • • Distribution has started; however, the bulk of the distribution is expected to occur in Fall 2024.

• Information Technology Curriculum Resource Development:

  • COMPONENT SPECIFIC REPORT
    Efforts to develop IT curriculum resources for upper-division courses have been aligned with Quality Matters (QM) standards. Faculty training across three QM courses, with stipends for completion, ensures the quality of educational offerings. Internal and external QM assessments of existing courses are planned, with stipends ranging from $1000 to $2000 per credit for necessary revisions. A summer plan to update five to eight 300 and 400-level courses is scheduled for summer 2024, alongside residential faculty training on QM standards in April 2024. These efforts aim to maintain high educational standards and enhance the quality of the IT curriculum.

    • Underway six faculty and staff completed the DYOC Quality Matters training.

    • Anticipated that 5-7 courses would undergo revision and development to meet QM standards during the no-contract period in the summer of 2024.

• Digital Divide and Broadband Awareness/Interns and Technicians:
  This project promotes digital literacy and awareness by creating a computer lab for remote students using mobile computing platforms and the Close2Home initiative. A mobile computing lab with 24 MacBook Pros, 24 Dell Precision Workstations, and 24 3D printers has been ordered and installed. Though delayed, the recruitment of part-time staff is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2024, with each worker being bilingual to serve the diverse student population better. This initiative is crucial for providing students access to advanced technological resources and support.

  • • More to come on this over the Summer of 2024. Stay tuned for major updates. The lab is available during summer for students to use C234 for about 40 hours per week, typically from 9 am to 5:30 pm, Monday to Thursday.

• Twelve Credit - Certificate in Emerging Wireless Technologies:
  A new certificate program focused on emerging wireless technologies is progressing through the district curriculum development process. The program includes four courses designed to create pathways from certificates to bachelor's programs, covering topics such as cloud computing, cybersecurity, and digital literacy. Course materials are being developed to meet QM standards, ensuring high-quality delivery across various channels. This program aims to equip students with cutting-edge skills in wireless technologies.

  • • Development continues pending feedback from the PC and District curriculum review processes.