Community college opening on hybrid schedule

It's not only K-12 schools that are struggling with decisions about how to return to school - colleges everywhere are constructing plans and integrating new ideas and technology to make education available to students in all situations as the Covid-19 pandemic continues.

Locally, Fond du lac Tribal and Community College will start school Monday with a mix of learning styles: with students attending a "Zoom classroom" online, and in-person for clinicals and other classes that require skills sessions or lab work.

"FDLTCC's approach to courses this fall is conservative, but eliminates the possibility of having to transition rapidly if there is another stay-at-home order," said FDLTCC vice president of academics Anna Fellegy.

If students have to miss an online class, they can watch it later, but the college FAQ guide points out that attending class online at a certain time will make it easier for students and staff to transition to in-person classes down the road. It also allows professors and students to get to know each other, even when they're not in the same physical space.

FDLTCC will have on-campus classes for nursing and law enforcement students, along with a few other select majors where hands-on learning is part of the curriculum.

Law enforcement major Caleb Essler signed up for online classes this semester to play it safe.

"I stayed away from the physical classes I need to take for law enforcement," he said.

With the online route being so critical to learning now, FDLTCC has tech support available to students, along with the rest of their regular support services. Students can check out a computer for short-term or semester-long use; the college can also help cover the costs of internet access.

Academic support is available online too. Tutors in FDLTCC's Center for Academic Achievement will provide individual and group tutoring sessions online and will provide access to Tutor.com. Advising and counseling services are available with options to meet in person or online.

Fellegy said the goal is to help students and faculty keep the school year stable and somewhat on a predictable schedule. In doing so, the college hopes to keep students engaged with instructors and classmates, keep staff aware of how the students are doing, and bring a sense of normalcy to hybrid learning.

The Thunder football and volleyball seasons are canceled. The Minnesota College Athletic Conference - made up of 24 two-year colleges in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin - is still discussing the fate of winter and spring sports.