SAN DIEGO, Feb. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Constellation,
Ashford University's suite of
innovative electronic textbooks, has been recognized in the
2011 Horizon Report, a respected publication that
identifies emerging technologies likely to have a large impact on
higher education. Technologies are examined for their potential in
teaching, learning and creative inquiry.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110217/LA50090)
Bridgepoint Education, Inc. (NYSE: BPI), a provider of post
secondary education services and Ashford's parent company, launched
Constellation on April 29, 2010. The
Horizon Report, co-produced by Educause and the New Media
Consortium, showcases it as an example of "innovative work going on
among learning-focused institutions." The report is published
annually and has more than 600,000 readers in 70 countries.
Technologies featured in the report are placed among adoption
time frames for mainstream use. Constellation, included in the "one
year or less category," demonstrates how electronic books are
successfully being used in higher education settings today.
"Hundreds of institutions vie for recognition in the report, but
only a few are selected as exemplars of specific technologies in
higher education," said Elizabeth
Aguiar, Bridgepoint Education vice president of Learning
Resources and Publishing. "It's an honor to be included among the
ranks of Amazon, Stanford University
Medical School and Rochester Institute of
Technology."
Created and maintained by Ashford
University, Constellation is a compilation of interactive
web-based course materials. Developed exclusively for Ashford University students, course materials
include textbooks and essential readings; audio and video programs;
interactive exercises; and supplements organized in a purposeful
way to support the learning process.
Materials are displayed in a proprietary, browser-based reader.
Students may access them on their computers or mobile devices, such
as iPhone, Kindle and iPad. Students are free to use their course
materials in any way they wish. They can listen to the audio
versions, download to multiple devices, print without restriction,
keep for future reference or share with colleagues.
"It's my salvation," Yvette Tait,
54, an Ashford University student
earning her bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies, said. "It's
convenient and comprehensive. Constellation is easy to access,
downloading is quick and all the information is in sync with the
class." Tait, a Cocoa, Fla.
resident, has plans to become an environmental engineer.
Constellation content is customized for Ashford University students and designed to reflect
the institution's curriculum, learning objectives and outcomes.
Materials are developed by Ashford
University faculty and other leading experts in their fields
who must have previous writing and teaching experience.
The process is managed by an editorial team responsible for
engaging qualified authors to write text for the courses. The team
then leads the process from a rough draft to an academically sound
finished product tailored to course objectives.
Currently, 11 Ashford University
courses use Constellation. Plans call for creating many more
digital books over the next two years, to include general education
and foundation courses for various majors.
"Many institutions offer electronic books and incorporate some
of their digital assets into learning platforms. Constellation is
exceptional in that it provides unprecedented access to all
materials, including textbooks," Aguiar said. "The Constellation
team is a blend of brains, talent and intellectual curiosity
between developers who created the Constellation Reader and the
editorial group who create the content."
Aguiar adds that Constellation supports Ashford University's mission to provide affordable,
accessible, high quality, higher education. "Constellation
materials replace third-party textbooks, which have typically cost
online students $150 per course.
Constellation costs $75 per course,"
she said. "Constellation demonstrates that technological innovation
in the digital age can be applied to bring our students easier
access to important resources whenever they want, plus provide
great educational value."
Visit https://content.ashford.edu/horizon for more information
and a tutorial.
About Bridgepoint Education
Bridgepoint Education's postsecondary education services focus
on offering associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs
in such disciplines as business, education, psychology, social
sciences and health sciences. Bridgepoint Education's
regionally accredited academic institutions – Ashford University and University of the Rockies –
deliver their programs online as well as at traditional campuses
located in Clinton, Iowa, and
Colorado Springs, Colorado.
For more information about Bridgepoint Education, visit
www.bridgepointeducation.com or call Shari
Rodriguez, associate vice president of Public Relations at
858.668.2580.
About Ashford University
Founded in 1918, Ashford University
is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North
Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahlc.org).
The University offers graduate and undergraduate degree
programs online and at its Clinton,
Iowa, campus. The University is known for its high
quality yet highly affordable online and on-campus programs.
For more information, please visit www.ashford.edu or call
Shari Rodriguez, associate vice
president of Public Relations, at 858.513.9240 x2513.
Contact: Shari Rodriguez,
Associate Vice President of Public Relations
858.668.2580 * shari.rodriguez@bridgepointeducation.com
SOURCE Bridgepoint Education Inc.