Baderman Island Resort

According to the resort's website, Baderman Island is a self-contained, all inclusive resort destination surrounded by the shores of the Kelsy River.  The island features an array of restaurants, three different hotels to meet the needs of each of the resort's guests, and boasts an almost unlimited list of activities for entertainment of relaxation.  Plans are currently underway for growth and expansion.  Planned enhancements include adding a second 18-hole golf course, an expansion of the botanical gardens, providing wheelchair and golf cast accessibility to walking and hiking trails, and expansion of the spa, recreation areas, and the resorts three hotels.

The island itself is 1600 acres.  Currently, only 750 acres has been developed.  This leaves over 800 acres for development.  In addition to the planned growth and expansion, the island's workforce is expected to double.  The challenge is to provide the management and employees of the resort with technology to support communication, guest needs, training programs, and continuing education without compromising guest convenience and satisfaction.  The education and training for the resort is managed by Boardman Corporate University.

Current Technology Tools at Boardman Corporate University (BCU)

• Instant Messaging
• Podcasts
• Live meetings and Internet courses on meeting.com 
• Baderman Island Resort Employee Internal Website
• PowerPoint presentations
• E-mail
• Text messaging

Management of Technology at Baderman Island Resort

Bademan Island Resort Employee Internal Website – This tool is used only by Baderman employees and is currently managed by Boardman Management Group Human Resources.  Information provided on this internal website includes information about resort job postings, Baderman employee benefits, the history of Baderman Island, current events, Boardman Corporate University educational offerings, and much more.  Also provided is the schedule of Boardman Corporate University courses including classes, dates & times, and details about course access and availability.

Power Point Presentations –PowerPoint presentations are developed, revised, and managed by Boardman Corporate University.   Instructors use these presentations as a tool in each class whether in face-to-face format or online.  Podcasts recorded during face-to-face training sessions are archived for future reference.  Posted on the employee internal website, employees may access and view them at any time.

E-mail - The communication tool is available to all management and employees and is constantly monitored by an area in the security department.  Due to all employees positions do not include a constant use of a computer; there is more communication tools used. 

Text Messaging – This communication tool is used frequently, but its use is limited.  Many positions in the resort do not include ready access to a computer, but employees still need to communicate with each other.  Management has set the rules and guidelines that should be used when co-workers text each other for business matters.  No personal texting is allowed during work hours unless there is an emergency.  Management has been provided with cell phones for texting on the job.  Text messaging is monitored by the IT security department.  

Instant Messaging – This communication tool is used for those employees whose position includes the use of a computer.  The employees are able to communicate with each other and members of the management team to communicate information about immediate issues and to ask quick questions.  Instant messaging is also monitored by the IT security department and its manager.  If needed, a manager may request a copy of an instant messaging conversation within a 90 day time frame. 

Podcast – Face-to-face training sessions are recorded and archived for future reference.  Archived podcasts are posted on the Baderman Island Resort Employee Internal Website and are available to employees at any time.  The management team may use archived podcasts as tools in re-training activities when performance deficiencies are discovered.  These podcasts are managed by the Boardman Corporate University.  They post podcasts to the company intranet and are responsible for providing necessaru updates to the material taught in the training classes.

Meeting.com - Live presentations of online classes and training are provided on this website.  Also managed by Boardman Corporate University, this allows employees to access classes via the Internet, participate in the appropriate presentations, identify and interact with other students, and hear the instructor as he or she teaches.  Student access requires a 1-800 number and a pass code.

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

When using certain types of and size of bandwidth it is necessary to be very specific in their allocations to prevent problems. When a file is sent or streamed two computers or programs the user must take into account what type of program is being shared and the functioning qualities of both the sending and receiving parties. If the files are slow to download or the data is slow to stream it could be that the allocations are not sufficient. It is essential for the organization to check and identify what type and the amount of bandwidth that the receiver can handle and, if necessary, make changes.  Data could be compressed which would allow the receiver to get data quicker and more efficiently. They could also update the system of the receiving computer to better match that of the one distributing the data.

When addressing the capability of Web 2.0 tools, the organization would first have to evaluate the current concerns and problems and troubleshoot them. They can do this by performing an evaluation to be sure that all the web 2.0 tools are working efficiently.  They can also test their system and determine if there are any software updates that need to be completed.  The organization should also identify and repair any serious hardware problems. 

What upgrades or changes are necessary to provide better technology integation for adult learning opportunities?

Integrating technologies into adult education and employment training programs offer opportunities to enhance student learning, as well provide personal and professional growth. Boardman Corporate University (BCU) has implemented a variety of learning deliveries to satisfy the needs of all adult learners. BCU will provide opportunities for their students by presenting twenty-first century technologies for the adult learners and instructors. Technologies that BCU have upgraded to are Web 2.0 tools. Web 2.0 tools are technologies needed in order to provide better learning opportunities for adults. “Web 2.0 tools include but are not limited to social networking, information feeds, and virtual collaborative sites” (University of Phoenix, 2010, Web 2.0 Technologies). According to Carling and Winter, “For adult learners, Web 2.0 tools can support and enhance instruction, allowing students to meet intended learning outcomes and promoting engagement” (2010, para. 1). In order to enhance face-to-face learning and online learning, Boardman Corporate University will need to focus on upgrading and increasing the technologies being utilized. These tools will increase training and learning opportunities for Baderman Resort Island. The resort wants their employees to be fully trained and knowledgeable in all areas, hence Baderman Resort Island has partnered with Boardman Corporate University to ensure that the employees of the resort are effectively trained to service their customers.

Tools that Boardman Corporate University should upgrade to in order to increase training and learning opportunities are Edmodo, PBworks, and Easybib. These tools are an addition to the other technologies that BCU have already established for their learners. Edmodo is a social environment which permits instructors to teach with other technologies and applications that they are introduced to while facilitating a course. PBworks permits students to build their own workspace in a virtual word, providing most of the learners will be working together in teams for each online. BCU’s learners will benefit from this tool via the online learning world. Easybib is another resource that will allow both campus and online students to automatically generate their bibliographies and citations by using this tool.

 

Broadband Access for Education

In Using Technology in the Classroom, Bittner and Legacy share the following information about Broadband and education, "Most public schools, colleges, and universities now have access to high-speed, high-capacity broadband communications."  They continue, "However, broadband access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year could help teachers and students to realize the full potential of this technology, and broadband technology needs to be properly maintained.  Recommendations to states, districts, and schools include:

• Thoroughly evaluate existing technology infrastructure and access to broadband to determine current capacities and explore ways to ensure their reliability.
• Encourage that broadband is available all the way to the end-user for data management, online, and technology-based assessments, e-learning, and accessing high-quality digital content.
• Encourage the availability of adequate technical support to manage and maintain computer networks, maximize educational uptime, and plan for future needs" (p. 21)

It seems reasonable to assume that Baderman Island Resort IT staff and the Boardman Corporate University should follow the suggestions above to ensure that their education and training problems operate within the limits of their broadband limitations.  As the number of employees increases, the organization should continue to expand their broadband limits.

Broadband Internet Access

According to Trango Systems, the term Broadband Internet Access is defined by the speed of an Internet connection.  The term high-speed is used and usually refers to the speed of broadband access which is typically at least 256 kilobits per second, but more commonly as much as 1 megabits per second.  However, it is more than just speed of access, it is more about the extra capabilities of the Internet.  The word Broadband comes from "broadband width" and refers to high-capacity transmission medium capable of carrying multiple types of data over a single communications medium.  " So, 'Broadband Internet Access' can be defined as a two-way communication between an access network and an end user which is capable of supporting data, voice, and full-motion interactive video applications"  (Trango, para. 3).  As the resort grows and the number of employees continues to increase, the IT staff will need to keep checking band-width and band-speed to ensure that the IT system supports the educational activities and other IT functions required by the resort. 

References

Bitter, G.G. & Legacy, J.M. (2008).  Using technology in the classroom, 7th Edition, Boston, MA: Pearson; Allyn & Bacon, p. 21


Carling, L. & Winter, K. (2010).  Web 2.0: Tested tools: new applications.  Retrieved from http://www.internationalonlineconference.org/2010/ioc2010-poster-winter-carling.


http://www.csoonline.com/article/442215/web-2.0-applications-and-sites-and-security-concerns


Ecampus.phoenix.edu/secure/aapd/cist/cop/Business/BadermanIsland/BadermanIsland/biinterent/library/html


Federal Communication Commission (n.d.).  FCC consumer facts: getting broadband.  Retrieved 4/30/11 from fcc.gov.cgb/.../highspeedinternet.html


Trango Systems (n.d.).  Ultimate broadband access networks.  Retrieved 4/30/11 from http://www.trangobroadband.com


http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/ga-focus/documents/briefings/briefing-103/htm


University of Phoenix (2010).  Web 2.0 technologies.  Retrieved from https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/secure/ED/aet530/WebTechnologies.html