New Technologies at University of Phoenix

Although University of Phoenix's student website is user friendly, there are areas of opportunity to provide better technology integration for adult learners.  Currently, the three modalities of attending University of Phoenix are online (asynchronous), on-campus (synchronous) and flex-net (hybrid of both online and classroom learning). An opportunity for growth is for University of Phoenix to offer synchronous online classes through video conferencing. This would allow students and instructors the opportunity to learn in "real-time". This would be an ideal alternate for students who prefer the face-to-face instruction without having to commute to an actual classroom. Synchronous online learning allows the instructor to give immediate feedback, share notes and whiteboard material, and chat with students all in real time (Singh, Mangalaraj, & Taneja, 2010). It also allows the possibility for other synchronous activities such as live blogging or face-to-face office visits with the instructor.


For students who do not have the schedule to attend a specific time that a synchronous class would require, podcasts would be a different learning option to be offered with any modality. University of Phoenix could either have audio or video recordings of specific subjects for students to access when desiring to learn more.  According to Singh et al. (2010) "Podcasts can transform the way students are engaged in learning" (p. 303). This can be a great benefit to differentiate learning styles for students. 


As mentioned in previous blogs, University of Phoenix has implemented social networking as a feature of the student website. Currently this is limited to the Phoenix Connect site. However, new technology that would allow the Phoenix Connect student profile to also be used in the classroom would be a benefit  for students particularly in asynchronous classes to get to know each other better. Having profile pictures and background on classmates may help students feel connected and more accountable.  


Each of these suggested technology upgrades would allow students to have more options for learning that will best their life and learning style. As more traditional colleges begin to offer online options, University of Phoenix will need to evaluate how current technology is managed and implement more options to maintain a competitive advantage.  

Singh, A., Mangalaraj, G., & Taneja, A. (2010). Bolstering teaching through online tools. Journal of Information Systems Education, 21(3), 299-311.

How does the University of Phoenix address concerns such as the type and size of bandwidth and the capability of implementing web 2.0 tools?

University of Phoenix addresses concerns of type and size of bandwidth in the computer requirement section.  University of Phoenix's basic requirements represent the minimum systems needed to participate in the online learning environment.

Basic Requirements:

·         A processor of 1.6 GHz or faster

·         A current anti-virus application―updated regularly

·         256MB RAM or greater

·         20 GB hard drive or larger

·         56.6 kbps modem or high-speed Internet connection

·         Monitor and video card with 1024x768 ppi or greater resolution

·         Sound card with speakers

·         CD ROM

·         Inkjet or laser printer

·         Email address

·         Internet service provider (ISP) account

·         Microsoft^® Internet Explorer^® version 6.0 or later

·         Adobe^® Reader^® 6.0 or later

·         Microsoft^® Outlook Express 6.0 or later

·         Microsoft^® Office XP, 2003, 2004 or 2007

·         Microsoft^® Word

·         Microsoft^® PowerPoint^®

·         Flash^® Player

The implementing of Web 2.0 tools has occurred over the past five years.  Figure 1.1 is a screen shot of University of Phoenix website in 2006.  The social media affect resulted in University of Phoenix updating the website in figure 1.2.  The new eCampus mission states, “improved community, communication and collaboration features that help you get more from your University of Phoenix education.”  The new eCampus website has several new features to enhance the student learning experience like Personalized Home Page with profile feature shown in figure 1.2. Figure 1.3 is a screen shot of Phoenix Connect that encourages communication and collaboration, discussing topics relating to a student's program of study, get answers to common questions, and build a professional network. 

Figure 1.1

Figure 1.2

Figure 1.3

University of Phoenix. (2011). eCampus Home. Retrieved from https://portal.phoenix.edu/home.html

How does the University of Phoenix manage those technologies?

University of Phoenix manages their technology through 24/7 technical support, except on major holidays. The representative logs all calls by a student's login and answers the student's questions or helps solve technical issues. The University's technical support staff offers two ways of contact and support. Students can either use the problem submission form to contact technical support and an analyst will access their online profile to resolve an issue or the student can contact technical support through the 24 hour support number. Below is a screen shot of the problem submission form page for email submission.

University of Phoenix. (2011). eCampus Home. Retrieved from https://portal.phoenix.edu/home.html

What Technologies are Currently being used at UOPX?

UOPX currently uses an asynchronous learning environment in their online classes.
The student website is divided into various areas as seen below in this screen shot.
On the left side is various quick links to general student needs such as class schedules.
Across the top are links to the University Library, Classroom, Program and Account information and Phoenix Connect which is the social networking portion.

In the center section is a link to current, previous, and future classes with their resource materials.

Below is a screen shot of the Library page.

The Phoenix Connect page is show below.

The UOPX student website is a custom website that was internally developed to fill the unique needs of UOPX synchronous ground and asynchronous online learning venues and seems to provide all the resources needed by the students.

University of Phoenix: A Pioneer in Educational Technology

Every organization, including higher education, is constantly looking for unique ways of managing technology that works best for them. University of Phoenix (UOPX) has been a leader in technology and paved the way for online learning to become an accepted alternative to a traditional face-to-face classroom environment. Founded in 1976 as an option for working adults to continue their education, University of Phoenix now serves over 400,000 current students worldwide and is the nation's largest private university (University Of Phoenix, 2010). This blog will share the technologies that UOPX currently uses and how these are managed as well as how concerns with the capabilities of the technology are addressed. As University of Phoenix has historically been innovative with online learning, new opportunities to implement technology for adult education will be explored and discussed.

University Of Phoenix (2011). History. Retrieved from http://www.phoenix.edu/about_us/about_university_of_phoenix/history.html