Program Goals  

The overall objective of the LCC Office Administration and Technology (OAT) Program is to prepare students (and to upgrade/retrain business professionals) for employment in administrative support positions in office settings in both private and public business and related industries. The curriculum provides for career mobility.

The Leeward Community College Business Technology (formerly Office Administration & Technology) program objectives are:

1. To offer rigorous curriculum designed to prepare Leeward Community College students for employment in highly technological electronic office occupations ranging from entry level to supervisor/management positions.
2. To provide in-service courses for currently employed office workers for the purpose of upgrading skills and/or job advancement and higher pay.
3. To provide courses which fulfill the basic requirements of students majoring in business education at the University of Hawai'i, College of Education.
4. To offer courses to retrain workers who have been displaced or separated from occupations thereby assisting them to develop alternative occupational competencies.
5. To provide opportunities for skill acquisition or improvement for adults in crisis or transition.
6. To provide support courses for Accounting, Automotive Technology, Digital Media, E-Commerce, Food Service, Supervisory Management, Information and Computer Science, Television Production, and Liberal Arts majors.
7. To offer non-majors opportunities to acquire and develop personal use business skills.

Program Description

Courses lead to a Certificate of Completion (C.C.), 15 credits, a Certificate of Achievement (C.A.), 30 credits, and an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree, 60-61 credits. Articulation agreements have been established with both the University of Hawaii - West Oahu and Hawaii Pacific University. Students are also offered the opportunity to become certified as a Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) by completing the review courses offered by the Business Technology Division and taking the separate MOS exams. Certification by Microsoft validates students' proficiency of knowledge and skills. Specializations in medical terminology & procedures, legal terminology & procedures, international business protocol and analysis, and more are offered as well.

Skills List

The Program Coordinating Council has this list of competencies and skills that all Office Administration and Technology and/or Business Technology Program majors need:

1. Demonstrate non-discriminatory interpersonal skills essential to working with people from diverse cultural and international backgrounds including the differently abled.

2. Compose, proofread, and edit basic business correspondence in mailable form.

3. Demonstrate effective oral communication.

4. Follow oral and written instructions.

5. Demonstrate proper business behavior.

6. Plan and develop an appropriate business wardrobe; wear proper business attire.

7. Identify job opportunities and participate in job search activities for which the student is qualified.

8. Demonstrate knowledge of basic grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

9. Demonstrate proficiency in using computer applications software.

10. Demonstrate computer literacy: organization, file management, print, etc.

11. Demonstrate proficiency in using operating system and basic hardware.

12. Perform duties common to most entry-level clerical positions involving such tasks as telephoning, greeting, and mail handling.

13. Key by touch at a rate of 40 gross words a minute with no more than five errors in a five-minute timing.

14. Proofread and produce mailable documents (copy typing).

15. Perform records management functions including Association of Record Managers and Administrators (ARMA) rules, maintaining written and computerized records and other forms of information in a systematic manner, and retrieving files.

16. Use office reference materials.

17. Operate electronic calculators by touch at a rate of 100 net depressions per minute in a five-minute timing.

18. Perform basic business math applications/computations.

19. Use speaking and listening skills needed for employment: telephone, voicemail, social interaction, presentations.

20. Apply time management principles to increase productivity.

21. Conduct electronic research using Internet search engines.

22. Apply office and workplace skills, knowledge and attitudes in a professional office setting.

23. Apply work ethics, attitudes and professional codes of conduct in the workplace.

24. Perform e-mail skills (folders, distribution lists, attachments, signatures, etc.).

25. Apply critical thinking and business communication skills to complete general office tasks such as handing correspondence, recordkeeping, setting priorities, and keeping accurate records.

26. Use goal setting and time management skills to handle multiple priorities.

27. Use computer software application(s) and/or manual recordkeeping procedures to manage resources such as petty cash, inventory, office budgets, check book, purchase orders, requisitions, invoices, etc.

28. Compose, proofread, and edit business correspondence, reports, and presentations in acceptable format.

29. Use computer software for word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentations, and graphics to produce documents.

30. Use dictating/transcribing machines to produce mailable documents (if taking medical or legal terminology and procedures).

31. Use computer software for word processing to produce mailable documents.

32. Apply problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills to successfully resolve differing viewpoints.

33. Demonstrate individual or group ability to obtain and evaluate information on current business issues.

34. Complete general skills competencies in Communication, Thinking/Reasoning and Mathematics.

35. Use computer software to produce business documents using word processing, database, and spreadsheet content.

36. Use graphic design principles to enhance written and electronic forms of communication: desktop publishing and web pages.

37. Demonstrate proficiency in area of specialization.

38. Participate in cooperative education, service learning or internships.

39. Develop a current, comprehensive résumé in scannable and traditional formats.

40. Demonstrate effective job search, application, interview, and follow-up procedures.

41. Demonstrate refined oral and written communications skills.

42. Have knowledge of business practices, concepts, and terminology.

43. Perform duties common to administrative support positions, office management, decision making, and supervision using acceptable business practices, concepts, and terminology.

44. Perform basic accounting activities.

45. Use computer software applications to produce complex business documents integrating word processing, database, presentations, and spreadsheet content.

46. Satisfactorily complete general education competencies in Social Science, Natural Science, Arts, and Humanities.

47. Demonstrate leadership traits and methods for building leadership skills.

48. Demonstrate individual or team-work ability to select, analyze, interpret, and communicate information and results to provide solutions to current business problems.

49. Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose and intent of various kinds of technology and use the technology to effectively solve problems.

50. Research, develop key points, and present findings on topics regarding current trends/technology to a group.

51. Demonstrate advanced levels of proficiency in specialization area. Use voice recognition software.

Assessment of Program SLOs

SLO 3

BT Program Outcome #3
At a minimum, key by touch at a rate of 30 gross words a minute (gwam)
BUS 127
100% of BT majors tested reached 30 wam on a five minute timing with no more than five errors (using South-Western CheckPro and/or MicroPace Pro where backspacing is not permitted).

Analysis:
The assessment process provides documentation of existing BT program practices whereby the BT program faculty regularly consult with each other and faculty members on other campuses and with representatives of industry through the BT Program Advisory Committee in order to determine required keyboarding speeds and how to measure those speeds.   The assessment process has reaffirmed the methods used to bring students up to an acceptable keyboarding speed.

Plan:
Discuss timing scores and alignment with PCCs.   The BT faculty will increase the timed writing speed to 40 net words a minute as agreed to at the system wide program articulation meeting June 7-9, 2005.

Budget Impact
none

BT Program Outcome #3
Use current and emerging technologies to efficiently create and produce quality mailable office documents.

Results:
BUS 127: 100% of BT majors scored 70% or higher on the production test.
BUS 136: 86% of BT majors scored 70% or higher on the production test.
BUS 137: 100% of BT majors scored 70% or higher on the production test.

Analysis:
The assessment process provides documentation of existing BT program practices whereby the BT program faculty regularly consult with each other and faculty members on other campuses and with representatives of industry through the BT Program Advisory Committee in order to develop appropriate production tests.   The assessment process has reaffirmed the methods used to measure specific skill sets.

Plan:
The BT faculty will discuss the test at the BT articulation meeting June 7-9, 2005.

Budget Impact
none.

SLO 3

BT Program Outcome #3
At a minimum, operate the electronic calculator by touch at 100 net depressions per minute
BUS 155
91% of BT majors tested reached 100 ndpm on a five-minute addition timing with no more than one error.

Analysis:
The assessment process provides documentation of existing BT program practices whereby the BT program faculty regularly consult with each other and faculty members on other campuses and with representatives of industry through the BT Program Advisory Committee in order to develop appropriate 10 key pad timing tests. The assessment process has reaffirmed the use of the present timing test as a suitable measure of a student's speed on the 10 key electronic calculator. The 10 key electronic calculators in BE-106 are in very poor condition. It is difficult for students to take pride in developing a skill on such outdated, damaged equipment.

Plan:
Request replacement equipment.

Budget Impact
The 10-key electronic calculators at the LCC campus are very old and in disrepair.   The electronic calculators will have to be replaced in order to continue teaching this skill.

BT Program Outcome #1 and #6

#1: Demonstrate professionalism in appearance, attitude and workplace behavior as required in an office environment.
#6: Communicate clearly and effectively through oral and written interactions complying with standard office etiquette.
BUS 259W
100% of the students scored 70% or higher for the written paper and oral presentation.   The paper grade was based on a final submission of the paper after one required (sometimes two or three total) rough drafts.   The oral grade included input from another BT instructor and a member of the BT Advisory Committee who attended the presentations.

Analysis:
The assessment process provides documentation of existing BT program practices whereby the BT program faculty regularly consult with each other and faculty members on other campuses and with representatives of industry through the BT Program Advisory Committee in order to develop appropriate measures of oral and written communication skills.   The assessment process has reaffirmed the need to review paper writing basics and oral presentations skills at the beginning of a class and to collect rough drafts of papers in a process of continuous improvement.   Having students assess other students' oral presentations helps them to improve their own oral presentation skills.   Active participation on the LCC Writing Committee, attendance at that committee's numerous workshops on writing, and development of this course as a writing intensive course have provided the instructor with a firm background in writing assessment.

Plan:
Emphasize teaching strategies to improve student writing, especially English mechanics-grammar, word use, etc.   Encourage students to not read from their notes during oral presentations.

Budget Impact
none.

Overall Program Analysis

The Business Technology Program has 7 out of 9 indicators showing the program is healthy, 1 out of 9 indicators showing the program is cautionary and 1 out of 9 indicators showing that the program is unhealthy.

The Business Technology Program has shown dramatic improvements in the Number of Majors and Majors/FTE Faculty.    There was a substantial increase in the number of Associate in Applied Science degrees earned, no change in the Certificate of Achievement, and a decline in the Certificates of Completion awarded.   Three out of four indicators of program efficiency and one out of four indicators of program effectiveness showed improvement.   Three out of five measures of program effectiveness showed a decline, one out of five showed no change, and one out of five showed an improvement from the previous year.   Six out of eight Perkins III Core Indicators were deficient.   Two out of eight exceeded the standard.

 

Future Plans

1. Although many of the courses offered require development of interpersonal skills that require team work and soft-skill development, the program hopes to offer some a handful of Business Technology Program courses by distance (either cable or Internet).

2. Increase utilization of WebCT in courses to make available to students resources such as PowerPoint presentations, guides, quizzes, or lecture notes on demand.   All full-time BT faculty members will post WebCT sites for each of their classes by Fall 2006.

3. Solicit methods of training of faculty in the latest technology.

4. Increase fill rates for 200-level classes by attracting liberal arts students through the Writing Intensive designation and inclusion of those WI courses in the Academic Subject Certificate for Business and Technical Writing.

5. Increase representation of non-traditional students in the Business Technology Program through continued cooperation with the LCC Innovation Center.   During the last year the Business Technology Program coordinator has been working with the center in awarding scholarships to non-traditional students.

6. Involve faculty and students with community and professional organizations and networking.

7. Develop visibility and relationships between the Business Technology Program Advisory Committee, administration faculty, and students (e.g. solicit advisory committee members to be interviewers for BUS 143, Professional Employment Preparation, or to be work sites for BUS 193, Cooperative Education).

8. Work to increase marketing efforts for the BT program.   Several UH MBA candidates are currently engaged in a marketing analysis of the Business Technology Division.   All high schools in LCC's service area have been divided up and assigned to full-time Business Technology program faculty who will take the lead in outreach efforts.   The Business Technology Program coordinator will continue to meet with all high school groups visiting the campus who have expressed an interest in business.

9. Modify program and courses to meet workforce needs as communicated by advisory committee members and the community.   The Business Technology Program at present is developing a Medical Receptionist Certificate in conjunction with the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center.   The first two courses (BUSN 121 Introduction to Word Processing and MGT 120 Customer Service) in that certificate will be offered at LCC Waianae in the fall of 2006.   A third experimental course in medical office procedures is presently being developed.

10. Develop an Academic Subject Certificate in Business Technology to enhance the marketability and increase the earnings potential of liberal arts students who plan to enter the workforce upon graduation.

11. Continue cooperating with the University of Hawaii West Oahu to ease transferability of our graduates.   The latest negotiated articulation agreement effective 2005-2007 allows A.S. graduates to pursue bachelor degrees in Business Administration or Public Administration.

12. Continue cooperating with other Business Technology/Office Administration and Technology programs in the University of Hawaii system to ease transferability of students.   In September of 2006 a system wide articulation agreement was finalized, facilitating the matriculation of students and the transfer of courses across the university system.

Program Articulations

University of Hawai'i-West O'ahu, Hawai'i Pacific University, Employment Training Center

Changes in Curriculum

The UH system-wide Business Technology Program Articulation Agreement (2005) has dictated changes in common courses throughout the State.   Standardization in course alphabet, numbers, titles, descriptions, prerequisites, student learning outcomes, and assessments were established.

Advisory Board

• Valarie Cesar, eSearch Hawaii
• Leatrice Kakesako, U.S. Department of Navy, Human Resources Service Center, Pacific
• Winona Kitaoka, CRM, Records Management Resources <
• Brian Moriki, First Hawaiian Bank
• Doris Ohara, Human Resources, AIG Hawaii
• Pam Tanigawa, Kapiolani Medical Center
• Lois S. E. Yoshikawa, Dept. of Human Resources, City and County of Honolulu