LiveText; wait, there’s more! Platform beneficial to students beyond the classroom

Southern University partnered with LiveText Incorporated in 2010 to better manage student outcomes. LiveText is a web application that provides online academic resources for student collaboration and learning outcomes assessment.
LiveText gives students the ability to create an electronic portfolio, share resumes, engage in discussion boards, complete assignments, keep record of their academic career and participate in a process that will allow for a data-driven curricular improvements.
LiveText subscription codes are available for first time freshmen and first time transfer students. The LiveText fee will be applied to the student’s billing statement, meaning if the student is a first time freshman or transfer student LiveText has already been included in tuition and fees. The subscription code is good for five years and can be used once the student has graduated. Students can renew their subscription after the five years at a lower rate.
After being in position for a short time, Director of the
The Office of Institutionalizing and Sustaining Strategic assessment Management (ISSAM) Dr. Donovan L. Segura and Coordinator Debra Tilson, felt that LiveText has several positive functions in which the students are unaware of.
“LiveText allows us to access the students growth and ensure that there is continuous learning and improvement,” said Segura.
When asked of the office improvements Segura mentioned Tilson and her efforts.
“Tilson, with 18 years of employment and experience in various SU departments and divisions managed to take this process from paper to digital,” said Segura.
In the past semesters students had to see personnel and receive a code that was computer generated to access LiveText.
“The transition, while automated, has been smooth. The students are really satisfied with the process, quick response, and the 24 hour 7 days a week accessibility,” Segura finished.
With a collective effort of The Office of ISSAM and the Division of Information and technology there is a key code management system that automatically sends LiveText subscription codes to the students via their SUBR email once paid for.
When asked of the nature in which the SU Professors are embracing LiveText Segura responded,
“There have been some challenges getting faculty to buy into this culture of assessment. I think that several already have heavy loads and many may see this as an extra weight or task. Also I believe that many do not like to embrace change.”
Discussing ways to overcome those challenges and overall involvement Segura went on to say,
“Teachers are just going to have to adhere to it, there will no longer be an option, but now a mandate. There are critical assignments that have to be done and if not there will be consequences, because we have to change this whole process. I am aware that in the pass we would start then stop, but consistency is key.
Segura also mentioned the importance of implementing LiveText into the curriculum.
“Also, if we are going to require the students to purchase live text than we should mandate that the professors use live text, because it is unfair to have a student pay for something and then not use it.”
With support from Executive Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, Dr. VerJanis Peoples, Segura feels that the process of getting professors on board is more at ease.
When asked of one of the most beneficial aspects of LiveText for students Segura responded saying,
“We now have millennial students that no longer carry a jump drive, or floppy disk to store information, and LiveText allows you to have file management and store resumes, papers, and portfolios.”
Mass Communications major Jessica Carter of Baton Rouge Louisiana says she finds LiveText is useful.
“Our university needs to keep up with technological advances, also I am aware that not all professors use this site, but I do feel that this is only hurting the students, because we need to be aware of this beneficial asset that our university offers.”
“We are moving upward and onward, and our office motto is No Data, NO Decisions ” finished Segura.
Students are asked to visit the office of ISSAM in Stewart Hall room 112, Or contact Tilson at [email protected] or call 771 2286.