I’m always interested in watching movies that have a future-oriented theme. Usually the movies suggest either some sort of utopia or dystopia. What I find interesting is the movie’s take on the future—what it looks like and whether it’s good or bad. Usually there is an element of technology that either helps make it to be a utopia, or some sort of failed technology that created the dystopia. As I think about this, is it only me that thinks our movies tend to be preoccupied with dystopic futures?
There is no denying the role technology plays in Azusa Pacific Online University’s collective future. It seems pretty obvious to say technology is transforming education. We take advantage of current computer technology in order to offer classes, while at the same time being interested in future developments in both the realms of technology and education.
In order to be intentional about looking at the future of education and technology, APOU is establishing the Center for Online Innovative Learning. The Center, also known as COIL, promotes a re-visioning of higher education for the 21st century learner, seeking to cultivate innovative thinking to reimagine tomorrow's learning environment.
The Center is beginning its work by hosting its first symposium in June, with the symposium addressing a wide range of topics focused on innovation in higher education. Activities will include round table dialogues and panel discussions; workshops; plenary sessions; and academic presentations. Attendees and presenters may attend live in Azusa, California, or online. The keynote speaker, Dr. John Reynolds, chancellor and chief executive officer of APOU, will present on “Disruptive Innovation."
Learn more about the symposium, how to submit proposals, and download an invitation flyer on APOU's website.
Additional information about the June symposium, including a presentation schedule, will be released soon. For more information about the Center and/or symposium, please contact Dr. Scott Edgar, discipline chair for humanities at APOU, at innovations@apou.net.
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Kurt Takamine
Chief Academic Officer, APOU
Academic excellence is one of Azusa Pacific Online University’s guiding principles manifested through the quality of our programs and faculty. Through their caliber of teaching, our faculty challenge students academically to ensure they receive the most out of their educational journey. As a university, we encourage students to build relationships with their professors and lean on their support with academic questions they may have. Our faculty members are committed to supporting students and helping them succeed. Given the accessibility of online education, faculty members are available to respond to students in a timely, personal way via the availability of an online learning environment.
As a Christ-centered institution, it is important that those teaching you are not only outstanding in their field, but also integrate their faith into their daily living. APOU students have the opportunity to learn from the best academically and professionally, as well as from individuals who can help answer questions about what it means to attend a Christian university.
Given the time you put into completing your education, it is exciting to partner with APOU faculty members who are there to provide support and encouragement to help you to reach your educational goals. As you work toward meeting your educational goals, we look forward to introducing you to your faculty—those who will make a difference in your educational journey!
Blessings,
Deana L. Porterfield
Executive Vice President, APOU
Although Azusa Pacific Online University (APOU) opened its doors to online learners nearly two years ago in June 2011, the university has a long legacy in Christian higher education. APOU is a member of the Azusa Pacific System of Universities and Learning Institutions; and being part of this system has played a significant role in the development of APOU and how we continue to build today.
APOU is anchored in 114 years of academic excellence and Christ-centered education providing a long-standing legacy and academic credibility. Building upon this foundation, APOU has designed a program for learners wishing to further their education, but are unable to attend a traditional, residential campus. Although APOU is a separate institution, our foundation provides students the opportunity to have the same transformative and academically sound experience in an online environment.
Azusa Pacific’s roots began in 1899 with the founding of the Training School for Christian Workers. These early California founders saw a need to create a school to teach, promote, and train for missionary work. Founders called for the school to be deeply spiritual and practical. These early difference-makers set a lasting influence on the values of Azusa Pacific.
On the journey to become Azusa Pacific University, and more recently the Azusa Pacific System of Universities and Learning Institutions, the system experienced several mergers. The Training School became Pacific Bible College, offering four-year degrees, and in the 1950s was renamed to Azusa College. In the 1960s, Azusa College merged with Los Angeles Pacific College to become Azusa Pacific College—and eventually Azusa Pacific University. Then in 2011, the system launched Azusa Pacific Online University.
God’s faithfulness, seen laced throughout this rich history, continues at APOU. With the God First motto being lived out in an online learning environment, we’ve seen our students be transformed through the power of a Christ-centered education. Students are taking their learned skills and knowledge out into the world to carry on the legacy as the next generation of difference-makers.
Blessings,
Deana L. Porterfield
Executive Vice President, APOU
Across the nation, technology is taking on a significant role on college campuses, in both traditional and online formats. Universities have turned to cloud-based solutions for support, and Azusa Pacific Online University (APOU) is one of them.
In a recent article by Campus Technology, "Small Colleges Take Giant Steps in the Cloud," APOU's vice president and chief operations officer, Don Davis, spoke about how APOU is utilizing cloud solutions for technological services.
"We believe that by utilizing emerging technologies and solutions, we can offer quality academic programs, excellent service, and a sustainable economic delivery system," Davis said, in the article.
Read more about how APOU is using cloud solutions for online learning and more of Davis' interview in Campus Technology.
Want more?
Check out an Inside APOU post by Don Davis on APOU's infrastructure and IT services:
A new year brings the opportunity to reflect and look ahead on our lives. Now, more than ever, this new year of 2013 is the right time to focus on education.
As a continuing student, you have the opportunity to press forward in the pursuit of your educational goals. Your goals may take on the shape of graduation, completing a certain number of units, or perhaps choosing a major to fit your career aspirations. Whatever your goal, take the time to understand and reflect on what it will take for you to achieve it this year.
If you are looking to start your education, consider Azusa Pacific Online University (APOU). We offer learners the opportunity to experience a transformative, Christ-centered education that is accessible and affordable. APOU is founded on more than a century of academic excellence and offers a variety of programs to advance your potential.
For new and returning learners, APOU provides you the tools to put your goals in reach. Goals become attainable and realistic with the support of our faculty and staff. Life coaches serve as a consistent and encouraging resource for students navigating the college experience. Offering flexible schedules and affordable options, APOU enables learners to complete their education within the structure of their current life.
APOU is also committed to several goals as an institution for 2013:
- We will continue to offer a quality Christian education that is transformational and at an affordable and accessible price.
- We will continue to build upon our programs with academic excellence.
- We will strive to welcome more than 500 new students to our community.
- We will continue to streamline and provide service to our students in a way that reflects God-honoring excellence.
- We will look to establish APOU with its own brand and recognition, while building on our foundation of 113 years.
As APOU prayerfully seeks to accomplish our goals, we hope you will do the same. APOU is designed for and committed to student success. As you achieve your goal of pursuing your education, we will pursue our goal of supporting your journey.
God bless you as you embrace the new year!
Deana L. Porterfield
Executive Vice President, APOU
I remember a conversation I had with a friend several years ago. I don’t recall exactly what we were talking about, but he ended the conversation with, “Kurt, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.” Drawing a blank when he said that, I finally came up with my response several months later, “Yes, but you don’t know that until you smoke it.” It was a great response, but the timing was a little off, since he was nowhere around when I thought of it.
I mention the conversation as an introduction to “Oral Communication,” one of Azusa Pacific Online University’s institutional learning outcomes. While I have previously written about our culture being text based, and therefore writing based, it is impossible to overestimate the power of speech. Two examples of effective communicators in my lifetime are Dr. Martin Luther King and President Ronald Reagan.
We want our graduates to be effective communicators, and we have various oral communication courses in our programs to achieve that goal. We don’t find being an online university a hindrance, since we use technology to help mediate the courses. The courses are designed to have students develop and deliver a variety of speeches and presentations, and they are given before local live audiences, as well as being video recorded for review by the instructor. While we’ve all heard the cliché about people fearing public speaking more than death, we want our graduates to be competent and confident in front of an individual, small group, or large crowd.
I don’t think it’s enough to be competent in front of an audience. Not only do you have to be a communicator, you have to have a message. That’s what I was lacking in the conversation with my friend. It would have been easy for me to respond, it’s just that I had nothing to say (until my quick wit finally had a comeback). Sometimes I think the message we convey can overcome shortcomings in our delivery. Subject matter knowledge, passion, and personality can often carry the day when we are not at our best.
APOU is as much about offering an education that creates a message as we are about the way it is communicated. Through our broad liberal arts foundation, we want students to dig deep into their field of study and effectively communicate their ideas at the appropriate moment. An important skill to have in educational and professional settings.
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Kurt Takamine
Chief Academic Officer, APOU
Inside Higher Ed recently posted a useful set of data, based on a 2012 survey by the Babson Survey Research Group, to quantify the argument for online course strategy. I also found the following supplementary data interesting:
- Nearly 7 in 10 chief academic leaders (69.1 percent) now say that online learning is critical to their long-term strategy. And just 11.2 percent say it is not.
- More than three-quarters (77.0 percent) of chief academic officers rate the learning outcomes in online education as the same or superior to those in face-to-face courses, up from 57.2 percent when Babson first asked the question in 2003.
- Fewer than a third (30.2 percent) of CAOs believe that faculty members on their campuses accept the value and legitimacy of online education—lower than the rate in 2004.
Read the Inside Higher Ed article: Growth for Online Learning
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John Reynolds
Chancellor and CEO, APOU
