Technology at Western Governors University | Online Education Degrees | Online Education Programs

Technology & Support

Usable for classes

Required Internet speed

56k

Recommended Internet speed

256k

Delivery modes

Live streaming video	Yes
Live streaming audio	Yes
Recorded video	Yes
Recorded audio	Yes
Software-based readers	Yes
Application for display on tablet computer	Yes
Description of tablet application	Students have access to a Student Portal, communities, TaskStream, and learning resources.
Application for display on smartphone	Yes
Description of application for smartphone	Students have access to the Student Portal, communities, TaskStream, and learning resources.
Bulletin boards	Yes
Simulations	Yes
Online labs	Yes

Courses designed by certified instructional designers

Yes

Courses designed by an outside firm

N/A

Learning management system used

Yes

All courses accessible to students from one learning management system

Yes

Google Applications	Yes
Pearson eCollege	Yes
Other software	Yes
Other software description	EdMap, Pearson Course Compass, CourseSmart, SkillSoft, Teachscape, MyEducationLab,online student Communities designed specifically for each OEDU programs, also course specific learning resources.

Services

Academic advising	Yes
Bookstore	Yes
Career placement assistance	Yes
E-mail address	Yes
Financial aid office/services	Yes
Access to digitized library materials	Yes
Access to live librarian	Yes
Local area network	No
Mentoring	Yes
Technical support	Yes
Live tutoring	Yes
Writing workshops	Yes

Instructor response expected within (hours)

24-7 live tech support

Tech support availability

Archived classes

All

Classes can be received live

All

Live online/on-campus classes after 5 p.m.

All

Percentage of classes with lectures

N/A

Student-student engagement

Online chatrooms	Yes
Web conferencing (webinars)	Yes
Skype or other visual software	Yes

New-student orientation	Yes
Review and sign ethics statement	Yes
Number of times a week students must log in to a typical course	0
Number of times per month faculty evaluate student participation	N/A
Number of times per month faculty provide feedback to students on participation	4
Courses requiring students to work collaboratively with other students	Minority
Class participation graded	No

Exams	Yes
Number of settings in which in-person exams are administered	Multiple geographically dispersed settings
Anti-plagiarism screening required for essay assignments	Yes
Measures to instill academic integrity (as submitted by school)
WGU has an Academic Authenticity policy that includes cheating, plagiarism, and other academic integrity standards. Alleged violations of the University’s policy on Academic Authenticity are reviewed and initially adjudicated by Assessment Staff. Guidelines for disciplinary actions are outlined in the student handbook. Remote online proctoring for exams uses appropriate observation and proctoring capabilities, and can also authenticate student identity. Assessments are developed using a rigorous process that conforms to federal guidelines and professional testing standards. WGU relies upon an Assessment Program Council, comprised of leading test experts, to authenticate the quality and rigorousness of WGU’s assessments.