SAU Tech to Deliver New Instructional Modality in Spring

East Camden, AR (12/12/2022) — Southern Arkansas University Tech is pleased to announce its first official offering of streaming classes for spring 2023. The College is implementing streaming technology in all its instructional classrooms, where students can benefit from interactive learning, and the material lends itself to a streaming environment. SAU Tech received a grant from the US Department of Education- FIPSE for over $1 million to train faculty to teach online and implement streaming technologies as a course delivery method. In the fall of 2022, the College piloted several math courses and a psychology course, and this spring, the following courses will be streamed and taught in the classroom, with students being able to opt for one or the other.

Students in streaming classes can interact live with instructors to ask questions and re-watch the course if they missed something during the live delivery. Dr. Valerie Wilson, SAU Tech Vice Chancellor for Academics and Planning, stated, "This is exciting for our faculty and students! The streaming technology will be beneficial in delivering computer-based training and mathematics courses. This delivery option will keep our students from missing out on personal instruction when they cannot attend class in person."

The ability to flex quickly to another form of teaching modality makes two-year colleges like SAU Tech the perfect option for providing new training programs and meeting the needs of the changing workforce. SAU Tech is represented in the state's AR Future Mobility Council, created by Governor Hutchinson. Dr. Jason Morrison, SAU Tech's Chancellor, represents SAU Tech and what two-year colleges can bring to the table; the ability to create new training programs quickly. SAU Tech is an example, adding the streaming option for students and new allied health programs to meet workforce demands since COVID-19.

Dr. Morrison stated, "Providing an affordable option for skill-based programs that allow students to go directly to work earning livable wages is vital to our area and the country. Two-year colleges do this better than anyone. Whether it's automated robotics, specialized maintenance programs (aviation, mechanical, etc.), or allied health programs, we can get the student in and trained and place them in a job faster and cheaper than anyone. Bachelor's programs also meet necessary needs for positions like engineers and educators, and we offer the first two years of those degrees. The real need in our area is for the healthcare workers and people to do skilled technical work in aerospace defense manufacturing, and we will keep working to meet that need every day."

For more information on streaming classes scheduled for spring, contact SAU Tech's admissions office at 870-574-4558.