By Roger A. Bowles
The last time I wrote, we were just getting started in this “new normal.” Pardon the term, I really hate it also, but it is clear that this stuff will be around for quite some time. Our classes resumed on campus for the summer semester on June 1 with modifications. As much “lecture” as possible is done online and labs are done face-to-face with protective gear. This approach has required some modifications. The state likes to divide us into neat little lecture/lab bundles: two hours of lecture and four hours of lab. For us, it has been something we have accommodated but not always followed to a “T.” In our classes, we have equipment in the room so lecture and lab are usually happening at the same time. We explain some theory, demonstrate and facilitate.
The administration is requiring all lecture be online with limited labs. It is hard to convince people that do not have a technician background that everything cannot be divided up so neatly. Texas State Technical College (TSTC) has always been somewhat different in that we are technicians training technicians. Every instructor in our department (and most other departments) worked as a technician before becoming an instructor. The instructor training process is a long one and not everyone succeeds. In fact, many decide instructing is not for them and move back to the field. Some, like me, make a career out of it. Still, sometimes I miss those days I spent as a technician.
The summer semester for us was abbreviated as we had a late start. So, 12 weeks instead of 15 weeks. This, along with the online lecturing for some classes, had some students feeling like they were drinking from a fire hose. Most students have been very understanding and have put their best effort toward accommodating the new arrangement.
As I write this in August, the fall semester is in question. So far, we have seen a significant drop in enrollment of new students. That may change during August. Right now, we have approximately 40 new students coming in for the fall semester. A normal incoming fall group is around 60 students. We do face some challenges in limiting class size for the labs to 10 students. This is, of course, good for the students but it will tax our instructor resources.
Another problem we are facing is self-quarantines for exposure. We have an elaborate reporting system and several students have reported exposure and are out for a minimum of 10 days. We do our best to catch them up when they return. The same happens to instructors. As I’m writing this, I am in self-quarantine for the next 10 days as my wife tested positive for the virus last week. Some material will not be covered as much as I would have liked.
On the bright side, we are hearing rumors about grant money that might be available soon. This money will be used for additional equipment and resources to keep lab groups small and students separated as much as possible. Some internships are starting to open back up to students. Hopefully your company or hospital participates in internships. Our students require an internship to graduate and the shutdown created a bit of a bottleneck in students completing the program. If students have completed all of their other coursework, and the company/hospital is willing, the first four months of their employment can count as their internship.
The future is still a bit foggy. One thing is for sure, it has forced us to re-evaluate everything. Each course has had to be revised, and in most cases, this is a good thing. Some courses tend to go stale if they are not revised. We will continue to meet employers’ expectations in providing quality graduates and rely on their feedback/guidance in making necessary changes.
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of TechNation or MD Publishing.
