The Pace University NACTEL Program

Dr. David SachsDr. Nancy HalePace University

The NACTEL Program

• About the NACTEL program• The NACTEL Partnership –Responding to the needs

of industry• About the NACTEL program – some quick statistics• Industry driven curriculum• How the NACTEL program operates• About the NACTEL partnership• NACTEL value to the industry and to individual

employees

How The NACTEL Program Operates

• Provides a complete set of University services:– Application– Registration– Financial aid assistance– Course Advisement– Counseling– Proctoring– Tutoring– And, of course, classes

• Offers:– Industry driven curriculum– AS in Telecom Degrees– Credit-bearing Certificates– BS Completion Degree in

Telecommunications– All 100% online– 24 x 7– 5 semesters each year

About the NACTEL Program – Some Quick Statistics

• > than 3,500 students have participated since 1999• Classes begin five times each year• 600 – 700 students are active at any one time• 40% women; 60% men• Students live in 45 different states and 5 different time zones• Average student age is 38• 528 students have graduated as of January 2010

About the NACTEL Program – Some Quick Statistics (2)

• > than 90% of the students in these instructor-led classes succeed in the classes (with a grade of C or better)

• Students typically take 1.3 courses per semester• Some students need to “roll over” into a succeeding

semester (< than 5%)• Some students need additional help or support (one-

on-one; additional time)

How the NACTEL Program Operates

• Course Management System is Blackboard• Courses are instructor-led• Courses are developed relatively inexpensively (<

than $20K per course) and relatively quickly• Courses are a blend of media:

– Textbooks and Lab Kits– Discussion Boards and E-mail– Videos and Videotapes– Streaming audio and video– Pod casts

NACTEL Value to the Industry and to Individual Employers

• > than 3,500 participants to date• 528 graduates; many hundreds more “in the

pipeline”• Wonderful reports from students about:

– Promotions– New assignments– Increased responsibility and opportunities

Questionnaire Sent to Graduates

• January 2010• Questionnaire sent to all graduates from

2007, 2008 and 2009 (303 graduates) • Total of 77 graduate responses as of 02-02-10

– 30 AS Graduates– 35 BS Graduates– 12 – Both AS and BS graduates– 2 – MS degree students

• Focus on the question results

Did you have a positive online learning experience in

the NACTEL program?

• Results:– 100% -- Yes

• Some comments:– I feel I am better equipped to do my job– I was exposed to new information I never knew existed until this program – it

really opened my eyes!– It was great. I would not have my degree if I would have had to attend

traditional classes. – The online format allowed me to attend college. While working at Qwest I was

on call working 72+ hour weeks. It was this asymmetric learning that allowed me to attend class at all hours of the day and night. Also, NACTEL being a partnership really helped with the stress of financing and billing. Without this partnership I may have been too distracted to learn online.

Have you put your learning to work? If so, please provide examples.

• Results:– Yes – 81%– Not yet -- 19%

• How?– Easier to troubleshoot problems– Better understanding of the industry and what I do.– Better able to work with co-workers having an understanding of job– Able to teach co-workers– Better writing and computer skills.– Many of the classes I took at Pace had a direct relationship to what I do at Verizon

Wireless. Some of the content has been applied to my job as technical, some interpersonal, and some just helping me to better understand the way we do business and how it all works together. I have also used my learning to better relate to co-workers.

– I use most of the technical classes for the degree everyday. For example the fiber optics

technology or wireless technology classes.

Have you received either a promotion or a salary increase due to being in the program?

• Results:– Yes – 11%– No – 89%

• Comments:– Recently promoted… I was told that knowledge within the field influenced

their decision.– I am doing this so I know more about the field – I am not doing this only for

the promotion– Education salary increases not currently available– My job is still the same, but I have gained a tremendous amount of knowledge

which has significantly increased in my confidence level in my abilities and myself.

– Seeking higher paying positions in telecommunications.

Would you recommend the NACTEL Program to your colleagues?

• Results:– Yes – 90%– Maybe – 8%– No – 3%

• Comments– I do not stop talking up the program to my co-workers– Most definitely!!!!!!– I have had such a great experience, I tell all the younger workers!– It was great. I would not have my degree if I would have had to attend traditional classes. – I was very impressed with how effective and flexible this program was for me. I am sincerely grateful

for being able to participate. Every interaction with staff was professional and positive. You have an excellent program I am confident to recommend to any telecommunications professional.

– I am pursuing a new career and attending classes to earn my CCNA– I think that I have decided to retrain in a different field

What are your plans after graduation?

• Bachelors degree in Telecommunications – 80% (most want another online degree)

• No plans now – 20%• Comments:

– I want to continue my education to stay competitive in the field– Continue on to the next degree and try for more promotions.– I am in the process of attaining my M.S. in Telecommunications

Management.

– Continue my education and try and advance my career.

IOTA Solutions

• Classes evaluated 3 times per semester – every 4 weeks -- anonymously

• Classes evaluated by an independent third party – IOTA Solutions

• Results of evaluations made available to faculty and administration within the Nactel program

• Many participant responses• Results similar to those of graduates

IOTA question: Is there anything you want to tell us about your online learning experience?

• Total of 463 responses– 92% positive feedback– 8% negative feedback

• Examples of responses:– I am very happy with online learning – I am learning more and the

information learned is so important to me at work!– Great Course and great instructors.– I enjoy the flexibility and the encouraged communication between

classmates.– This is one of the best things I have done for myself.– I love to go to class when and where I want – I have recommended it

to many!

IOTA Question: My instructor presents information effectively.

• 1,553 responses• Agree: 85%• Neutral: 11%• Disagree: 4%

IOTA question: My instructor is accessible.

• 1,542 Reponses• Agree: 93%• Neutral: 5%• Disagree: 2%

IOTA Question: My instructor stimulates my interest in the subject matter.

• 1,546 Reponses• Agree: 85%• Neutral: 11%• Disagree: 4%

IOTA question: Overall satisfaction with instructor is:

• 1,527 Reponses• Satisfied: 90%• Neutral: 5%• Dissatisfied: 5%

IOTA Question: Knowledge of the subject matter is increasing due to this course.

• 1,536 Reponses• Agree: 94%• Neutral: 5%• Disagree: 1%

Comments From Graduates

• "I always wanted a more technical background...The NACTEL program gave me that missing piece...Now when I speak to customers I have a much better understanding of the problems they may be facing in the field and I think I'm better at my job because of it."

• Amy PalmerSales/Service ConsultantQwest CommunicationsIBEW Local 620

• "The instructors were great. I would email a question at night and the answer would be there the next morning. There was a lot of networking with classmates too, from all over the country."

• Robert GrimmIBEW Local 2321

Comments From Graduates

• "I wouldn't be even close to where I am today were it not for the NACTEL program."

• E. Dixon KavanaughMarketing ManagerDigital Information Business Solutions

• "Now I can frequently explain the technicalities of a problem the customer may be having with their equipment, and the customer is back in service with the trouble cleared within 5 minutes, avoiding dispatch of a technician to the customer's premises."

• Casey WindriderCustomer Service RepresentativeSBC

Questions/Comments?

• Dr. David Sachs• Dr. Nancy Hale• NACTEL Web Site: http://www.nactel.org• NACTEL/Pace University Web Site:

http://csis.pace.edu/nactel