Abstract:

Midway College in Kentucky is committed to student learning through the use of virtual classrooms as well as in-seat delivery of courses. To uphold that commitment, Midway College developed virtual resource centers in support of education and business students. Students can now access essential online resources through visible icons in areas such as administration, infrastructures within the college and support services that provide assistance to students.

These resources include:
Faculty photos and profiles, faculty/advisement and counseling for online learners, general resources (e.g. student training, syllabus, course schedule, program supplemental information, library resources, online frequently asked questions, orientation to online students, textbook information), discussion board-providing students individual advisement and/or group discussion, business office contacts and links, financial aid office contacts and links, web registration, program requirements, education department-ePortfolio Livetext information for checkpoints I, II, III and Praxis II resources.
Students pursuing their education at a distance typically juggle many responsibilities such as family and work. The intention of this virtual student resource center is to provide online and blended students accessibility to important information twenty-four hours a day and to promote student success. The center is convenient as a "one-stop" shop of information to provide novice and experienced online and blended students the support they need to succeed. The significance of this presentation is to inform participants of the advantages of how the technology of the virtual student resource center can serve as an educational resource that provides a valuable tool in distance learning to aid student support and success.