Case Study: How a major online university creatively partnered with ACI Learning to drive student success

It’s a familiar plot in higher education these days: A major online university faces the challenge of keeping pace with the rapidly evolving tech industry. In this case, they needed to modernize their IT and cybersecurity curriculum to better serve students aiming for careers in these fields. Their specific goals included:

• Addressing gaps in their tech course offerings.

• Providing affordable and effective labs for students.

• Seamlessly integrating these updated courses and labs into existing programs.

• Engaging students with up-to-date video content and labs aligned with current certifications.

Solution

The university partnered with ACI Learning to address their needs through several innovative approaches:

• Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI): ACI Learning's content seamlessly integrated with the university's Learning Management System (LMS) through LTI. This allowed instructors to effortlessly incorporate ACI's resources into their courses, providing students with access to a wider range of interactive and engaging materials.

• Access Codes: ACI Learning simplified course material distribution with personalized access codes. This improved security and streamlined student access, allowing them to directly connect with the content using an access code and URL.

• Subject Matter Expertise: The university lacked in-house experts for specific IT and cybersecurity topics. ACI Learning addressed this gap by providing access to a team of experienced subject matter experts (SMEs) who helped create or update the university's CompTIA and Linux course content.

• Enhanced Programs: The university strengthened its IT and cybersecurity offerings by leveraging ACI Learning's extensive library of engaging video courses, ensuring students received the most up-to-date and relevant content.

• Microlearning: Recognizing the evolving learning styles of modern students, ACI Learning introduced microlearning modules. These short, digestible bursts of content catered to busy schedules and facilitated better knowledge retention.

• Live Labs: To equip students with practical skills, ACI Learning provided access to their robust collection of live labs. This hands-on experience was directly integrated into the LMS, enhancing the student experience.

• Practice Exams: ACI Learning boosted student confidence by offering practice exams aligned with industry certifications. This allowed students to test their knowledge and prepare for the real-world exams they might pursue.

• Event Production: To elevate the university's signature online event, ACI Learning provided professional production services. This included efficient transmission, multiple presenter recordings, and seamless hosting across locations, ensuring a polished and engaging experience.

• Vendor Consolidation: ACI Learning helped the university reduce costs and IT workload by mapping their courses and labs to the existing curriculum. This minimized redundancy and simplified content management.

• Articulation Agreements: Streamlined credit transfer processes were established through articulation agreements. This reduced administrative burdens for the university's Registrar's Office and maximized opportunities for students to transfer credits earned with ACI Learning.

• Town Hall Meetings: To further support the university's staff, ACI Learning leveraged their production capacity to produce high-quality quarterly Town Hall Meetings. This initiative reduced the administrative burden on university staff and ensured professional production quality for these events.

Results

The successful collaboration between the university and ACI Learning resulted in significant benefits for both students and staff:

• Students: Gained access to high-quality course content, practice exams, and virtual hands-on lab experiences. Streamlined access to multiple courses and live labs fostered improved knowledge assessment. Reduced costs through credit transfer and potentially shorter time to degree completion.

• Staff: Streamlined administrative processes with efficient content delivery and reduced vendor management. Enhanced Town Hall Meetings improved engagement and production quality.

Impact

This case study exemplifies the power of innovative partnerships between academic institutions and the private sector. By working together, the university and ACI Learning were able to significantly enhance the educational experience for students pursuing careers in IT and cybersecurity. The case also highlights the value of offering modern learning formats like microlearning and live labs, alongside subject matter expertise and industry-aligned content. This successful collaboration serves as a model for other universities seeking to adapt and thrive in the fast-paced world of IT and cybersecurity education.