Virtual College Spotlight – March, 2010

This month, we would like to shine WATC’s Virtual College Spotlight on instructor Rachel Bates. Rachel currently teaches Online Elementary Algebra, Intermediate Algebra, Intermediate Algebra with Review, and College Algebra online currently for WATC. She also serves as Senior Learning Officer for the areas of Math, Computers, and Business.

Rachel brings a strong mathematics background to her teaching as she has her Bachelors in Mathematics and a Masters degree in Education. She has been teaching at the college since 2003 and online since January, 2009.

Rachel’s algebra classes provide great math instruction to her students by utilizing the My Math Lab software in all of her algebra courses. This software provides animated tutorials, chapter test preparation videos, PowerPoints, and video lectures. The homework is set up to give student support in working each one of their problems. Immediate help is there from the software as they work their homework problems. Students can ask for examples for each problem as they work their homework. There is also a link provided to click on and ask Rachel for explanation about each specific problem. Rachel is only a click away via email if a student needs a question answered. This is an excellent way to teach mathematics.
Rachel also provides extra support in her courses to her students outside of the My Math Lab software. The course has an abundance of video clips that Rachel prepared herself to demonstrate how to use the Angel Learning Management System and its navigation, My Math Lab itself, and the TI 83 Graphing Calculator which is required for the classes. There is excellent support in Rachel’s algebra courses to help students be successful in the course.

Rachel says that one of the best things about taking algebra in her online classes is that the software allows her to give the students immediate feedback on their homework problems and tests. Gone are the days that students have to wait a week for their work to be graded, perhaps working problems the wrong way for a whole week. Rachel says that online students “can learn it right the first time” taking her algebra classes. This can give the student a very positive feeling toward algebra which is a feared subject for many. Rachel works to eliminate this fear by providing abundant support to her students throughout the course and a teacher presence with using tools such as email, telephone, and even giving in-person help to those who might need it on occasion.

Hats off to Rachel Bates for her great work in designing an outstanding courses in Elementary Algebra, Intermediate Algebra, Intermediate Algebra with Review and College Algebra, which are engaging, well-organized, full of explanations and information, immediate feedback, and user friendly for all student populations.

Cell Phones in the Classroom

Ever wonder how cell phones can be used in the classroom? Check out this video illustration on how colleges and universities can integrate cell phones into face-to-face and hybrid learning!

February Virtual College Spotlight

Virtual College Spotlight – February 2010
Andrew O’Leske

This month, we would like to shine WATC’s Virtual College Spotlight on Instructor Andrew O’Leske. This semester Andrew is teaching Computer Applications as a fully online course.

Andrew’s online course is rich with learning materials designed especially to teach the Microsoft applications in the course. He makes great use of videos and tutorials which focus on each aspect of the Microsoft Office elements. The learning material is presented clearly and completely as it demonstrates the computer lesson visually for the student to actually see how to manipulate their computer to complete assignments and activities.

The course presents the material in several modalities which address the learning styles of the students. The information and learning activities are appropriate to the subject matter and very well-suited to the learning styles of the students.

Andrew also uses gaming techniques as a way for students to review the material of the course. It is an engaging game of “How To Be a Computer Genius.” This is a creative method for students to learn the material in a fun, engaging way.

Andrew has a continuous presence in the course with his excellent communication with the students. He also includes tips and hints to guide the students through potential troublesome areas as they learn the software. These are worded in simple-to-understand language and are very helpful for his students to eliminate their fear of the computer.

Hats off to Andrew O’Leske for his hard work in designing this outstanding course in Computer Applications which is engaging, full of information, and user friendly for all student populations.

Virtual College/ANGEL Orientation

Did you know that every student at WATC has access to the Virtual College/ANGEL Orientation in the Virtual College? This course is available under the courses list after students log on to the Virtual College. Once inside the course, you will find helpful resources for online students such as links to the library online databases, online tutoring, and help desk contact information. Most importantly you will find tutorials on how to use the system tools such as sending course mail, posting to the discussion board, uploading to the assignment drop box, and taking online quizzes/test/exams.

In-person orientations are also available for one-on-one help!

Log in to the orientation course now and let us know what you think!