Leading the Way

ACU Connected Leads the Way

Nestled in the heart of Abilene, Texas, Abilene Christian University, a small private institution, has become a global leader in the mobile learning initiative. It seems an unlikely place for technology leadership to emerge, but offers the hope that if it can happen here, it is possible anywhere. It is my intention, through this summary of the ACU mobile learning initiative called Connected, to convince student affairs professionals to accept the challenge of embracing exciting opportunities that exist, or maybe even develop those that don’t yet, and improve our programs significantly, creating greater student buy-in, through the use of technology.

My first question upon learning of the amazing and massive initiative ACU has taken on, was why? ACU proudly answers this question on their ‘Connected’ webpage: “We're pursuing the future of learning because we know our students will live and work in a world that doesn't yet exist - a world whose challenges and possibilities are only now beginning to coalesce. If we can offer them the advantages not only of seeing the new world these changes will create, but also of pioneering that world for those who will come after us, then we've done something truly valuable” (ACU Connected, 1990-2011). From higher education staff who come from generations that received their education before computers were a mainstay, it is common to hear conversations about how technology is killing relationships, face to face conversations, communication in general. ACU isn’t trying to replace these things, with their ‘Connected’ initiative, they are simply adding dimension to a students learning experience, creating a greater since of community and providing fast, efficient and more profound methods of collaboration and information discovery.

In 2006, ACU formed an advisory committee they called the ACU LINK Team, comprised of faculty, advisors and campus technologists. In 2008 ACU launched the initiative which included a mobile interface that was compatible with the iPhone and iPad Touch, which they considered a comprehensive tool that allowed students to successfully “navigate life at Abilene Christian University” (ACU Connected, 1990-2011). 957 devices were handed out to freshman and 182 to staff. Results of the first year of implementation were astounding. ACU had taken a prominent position in global mobile education leadership for higher education. Demand was so high for consulting, a summit, the ConnectED Summet was planned and the first one included 412 people from 64 colleges and universities, 29 K-12 districts and 26 companies. Today ACU offers conferences in three formats: The Connected Summit conference that happens twice a year, several online conferences each year, and open houses that offers opportunity to communicate with ACU faculty, administrators, technologists and students who are part of the mobile learning initiative. The program has received global accolades and continues to grow, today issuing iPhones and iPads to students who use the devices for a myriad of functions in classes, to receive campus news and even to perform student service functions such as register for classes.

I encourage you to visit the ‘Connected’ website (acu.edu/connected) if you wish to be inspired by the many ways technology can be incorporated into higher education. Here you will find endless news stories of the awards and publicity the program has received in its five short years. You will also have access to the research faculty has published about the effectiveness of the mobile learning program, podcasts and videos on a multitude of subjects with everything from ConnectED Summet seminars to demonstrations of student created applications. If the website itself isn’t convincing and inspiring enough, check out the ACU Connected Blog (blogs.acu.edu/connected). This blog site contains resources, presentations, mobile learning tools, very convincing arguments for incorporating mobile learning into higher education initiatives, interesting articles that are technology centered, visitor comments and much more.

If all of this feels a little overwhelming, it should. ACU has put forth a very large scale initiative that continues to grow. But a large leap for mankind can easily be scaled back to a small step for man. Having the courage just to make the decision to incorporate some form of technology into your student affairs program is a great start. Luckily with resources available, like the ACU Connected website, becoming inspired and gaining access to useful tools will make the process not only easier, but actually enjoyable.

A month ago, I took my own advice – if it can happen at ACU, it can happen anywhere. I come from a generation that was in front of the technology wave. I am a paper and pen kind of person. I finally accepted the fact that my students are not. I have committed to creating an online Alcohol Education course for my students. With a small Wellness Center staff of three, it would be impossible to educate all 18,000+ of our students, in person, in a year. With online technology, it could happen in just one hour. ACU Connected has inspired me to reach out to our Student Affairs technology consultant who has pledged to aid in making this course compatible with mobile devices. Am I nervous? Sure, but I will pass this advice along: with mobile forefathers, like ACU, who have proven it can be done and done better than successfully, my hopes are high.

I leave you with perhaps one of the most inspiring messages I took away from the ACU Connected Annual Report: “Our task has, indeed, been to foresee the future, to imagine what learning will look like a decade from now – and a decade after that… to dream for students who are not yet born and to create for those who are already here” (ACU Connected, 1990-2011). I challenge you, my fellow Student Affairs staff members to dream and create, resulting in a better learning experience for our students.

References

ACU Connected. (1990-2011). Retrieved July 22, 2011, from Abilene Christian University: http://www.acu.edu/technology/mobilelearning/index.html