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March 16, 2009

For further information contact:
Andrew D. Welch
Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications
(O) 260-481-2270
awelch17@ivytech.edu

Ivy Tech Community College-Northeast Completes 100th ivyVILOs

Learning Tools Provide Unique, Simple Solutions
to Complex Concepts Statewide

Ivy Tech Community College-Northeast’s Instructional Technology office announces the completion of its 100th multimedia lifelong learning object for students and the community. The latest addition completes a series of 42 training objects specifically designed and developed for the Certified Nursing Assistant program. This growing library, known as ivyVILOs (Ivy Tech’s Video Interactive Learning Objects), is a collection of vignette-like videos containing contemporary instructional assets available worldwide, and each addresses specific, complex learning objectives.

“In just one year, the CNA program saw an eight-percent increase success rate in testing students’ skills,” said Patty Ley, lead videographer of the ivyVILOs team. “The completion of this CNA series helps set a standard for training and retention across the statewide Ivy Tech system.”

These objects have been proven to reinforce subjects, challenging concepts, and skills through repetition, interactivity, and an eye-catching approach to content delivery. For students, they reduce the cost of supplies, and for faculty, this one-time investment in video production results in an enduring resource. Some examples of ivyVILOs are:

• demonstrating the appropriate method for cleaning hands or removing gloves
• showing the proper technique for sterilizing glassware
• setting up and calibrating a vertical mill in the manufacturing area

“This valuable learning resource has been in production since 2007, as ivyVILOs has been continuously improved over the last year and a half, based on direct feedback from faculty members and students about the techniques that are most effective for retention and understanding,” said A. Andaz Ahmad, director of instructional technology. “We now have a solid, well-identified product that we’re proud of, and it’s available to Ivy Tech’s students statewide as well as open-access to the community at-large.”

ivyVILOs is available to students 24 hours a day, seven days a week via several different media, including Web stream (www.ivyvilos.com), SecondLife stream, screen cast, television broadcast, direct download, or portable media playback. Students can access these tutorials any time, anywhere from their personal computer, iPod, or even a cell phone. In its short period of existence, ivyVILOs has conquered learner challenges including lack of time, understanding, mastery, sufficient engagement, on-demand content availability, and delivery alternatives.

In addition to the CNA program, other areas of study that have taken advantage of this innovative teaching tool are Medical Assisting, Therapeutic Massage, Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, Hospitality Administration, and Industrial Technology. The ivyVILOs team continues to offer open informational sessions for faculty to explore the tools and how they can use it as part of their classroom in fostering student success.

“ivyVILOs contributes to the mission of preparing Indiana’s residents to learn by putting out quality products to assist with student success,” said Phyllis Wiegmann, director of academic affairs support.

The ivyVILOs team includes Ahmad and Ley, as well as William Brown, Tova Wiegand-Green, and Ted Tiefel. Since 2007, the team has attended more than 20 nationwide conferences including a European conference in the Netherlands to present the concept. For questions about ivyVILOs, contact A. Andaz Ahmad, director of instructional technology, at 260-481-2248 or aahmad@ivytech.edu. Visit ivyVILOs at www.ivyvilos.com, as the team looks forward to developing collaborative partnerships with companies and academic institutions.

NOTE: The 100 objects were created in-part thanks to a Lincoln Financial Foundation.

Ivy Tech Community College is the state’s largest public post-secondary institution and the nation’s largest singly-accredited statewide community college system with more than 120,000 students enrolled annually. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering affordable degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its community along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.