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In Kenai Peninsula College's continuing quest to deliver course materials to students who are already in the workplace, the school has begun video streaming its process technology courses over the Internet so students working rotation schedules can view the lectures while they are on the North Slope, an oil platform in Cook Inlet, or anywhere else.

"We piloted one class last semester and are doing it with six courses this semester. It has been a true team effort involving the KPC process technology instructors, our Title III grant office and IT personnel," said Suzie Kendrick, KPC's Advancement Programs manager.

This associate of applied science degree in process technology is coordinated by KPC and delivered collaboratively through UAA and UAF. It is a two-year degree designed to provide education and training that will enable individuals to obtain employment in industries that use and control mechanical, physical, or chemical processes to produce a product.

In Alaska, this includes the process industries of oil and gas production, chemical manufacturing, petroleum refining, power generation and utilities, water and wastewater treatment, and seafood and other food processing.

Scott Kraxberger, associate professor and co-chair of the Business and Industry Division at KPC, said the ability to show steady and continuous stream over the network is far superior to the way students used to keep up with their coursework.

"In the old days we used to put it on VHS tape in the library for them to watch when they got back, but now they can keep up with class in real time," he said.

Kraxberger said several processing technology courses are currently available in a 100-percent distance delivered format. The student is not required to come to campus at all to complete the course.

"We video captured most of the core processing technology courses and made them available so students can watch them whenever and wherever they are. It's very useful for students working one week on/one week off or two weeks on/two weeks off schedules," he said.

Several of the other processing technology courses are also in development for 100 percent distance delivery in later semesters, he added.

Kraxberger said this new way to administer classes has been a real boon to those with jobs related to the coursework.

"Part of the reason for doing this is to support students who already have work, but that want to upgrade their skills, so they can get a different or better paying job," he said.

"The other reason is to reach students who can't come to a campus. Now people in Seldovia, Point Hope, wherever -- can review the degree and pursue in on-line," he said.

Although the program has never struggled to find students, Kraxberger said as the program becomes more accessible, enrollment in it should continue to rise.

"It's a popular program. It originated here at KPC in '99 and UAA annually graduates 50 people per year with processing technology degrees, and there should be more graduates as we stream more classes," he said.

Process technology classes currently being streamed include: Intro to Process Technology; Intro to Occupational Safety, Health, and Environmental Awareness; Process Technology I: Equipment; Industrial Process Instrumentation I; Industrial Process Instrumentation II; Oil and Gas Exploration and Production I; Process Technology II: Systems; and Industrial Process Instrumentation III.

To experience one or more of these streaming video classes, visit the Internet site: http://krcflash.kpc.alaska.edu/users/prt/prtindexf09.htm. For more information on the Processing Technology program, visit the KPC Web site at www.kpc.alaska.edu/ or call 262-0300.

Joseph Robertia can be reached at joseph.robertia@peninsulaclarion.com.