Heritage, University embark in credit exchange

Students at Heritage College now have the opportunity to earn UW Extension credits in computer technologies through a new partnership between the two schools, effective this quarter.

Heritage students can obtain UW Extension certificates -- along with Heritage credits -- through courses in Web technology essentials, Web administration, Internet programming and C++ programming. These courses will be taught by UW instructors.

"Distance learning is obviously a way to provide [Heritage] some access to courses that they can't really necessarily provide on their own due to limited faculty resources," said David Notkin, chair of computer science and engineering.

Students at Heritage will receive instruction in these courses online and will be able to communicate with their instructors and other students through e-mail.

"A student in this situation will have to be proactive in that they are contacting the instructor for the course and asking questions," said ASUW President Brittany Goodnight. "Which is the same in a 500-person lecture class at UW."

According to Goodnight, providing these courses at Heritage College could be "a really beneficial program for students."

Denice Denton, dean of the College of Engineering, agreed.

"I would hope it would be providing opportunities for [Heritage students] that they wouldn't otherwise have," said Denton.

The partnership with Heritage is one aspect of the multifaceted UW Extension program, which offers more than 100 certificate programs in many different places. Both Notkin and Denton expressed approval of the program.

"UW Extension ... is a very strong program. They work very closely with the academic units, and that's not true of all such programs," said Notkin, who added that the partnership with Heritage could be beneficial to all who are involved. "We're interested in partnerships with places like Heritage because they ... provide a lot of potential for diverse population."

Denton emphasized the benefits the program might bring to both Heritage and the UW.

"The more we can partner with one another and share expertise, the better," said Denton. "Hopefully, it will be a win-win for the students there and for our extension program here."