Kenai Peninsula College embraces distance education

Last May, nine members of arts and sciences division, six full-time and three part-time faculty, participated in a week-long distance education symposium sponsored by the Alaska Educational Innovations Network. According to Dr. Barbara Christian the intensive workshop served to further faculty knowledge and skill with online delivery systems. Two Web-based delivery methods were featured; Blackboard, an asynchronous delivery method, and Elluminate Live, a synchronous, real-time delivery method.

It is anticipated more and more KPC classes will be delivered to students throughout the peninsula and Alaska via the Internet. The college will offer 23 classes using distance delivery formats in spring 2008. The college is striving to create distance courses not offered by University of Alaska campuses. Offerings in the spring semester include creative digital camera, survey of chemistry (including lab), introduction to organic chemistry, biochemistry, Web design, reporting and writing news, film as literature and literature of vietnam. There also are a number of general education requirements being offered including methods of written communication, technical writing and trigonometry.

Students living off the road system or far from KPC facilities may be served with the development of more educational opportunities delivered via cyberspace.

Student forums set

Every semester KPC administration provides a venue for students to air concerns or get their questions answered. This semester the sessions will be held at 2:15 p.m. today and at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday in the commons. The forums generally last about an hour and are intended to reinforce to the student body that faculty and staff at the college are committed to open and free exchange of information. KPC is committed to listening and responding to students and the community.

Attendance at the forums has grown. Students are becoming more vocal regarding subjects on tuition, student housing, campus services, textbook prices and timing of course offerings.

Career Day slated

Each year more than 250 high school students from throughout the peninsula fill the hallways of the college with the mission of exploring different career paths. This year the event is scheduled for Nov. 9.

Career Day gives students a chance to learn about career opportunities from professionals working in the community. Students may be inspired to pursue fields they might not otherwise think they are interested in.

The event is coordinated by Krista Timlin, director of KPC's Career and Community Engagement Center. Career Day is open to nonhighschool members of the public who are looking to transition into another career field. Organizers ask that anyone who would like to attend any of the sessions call 262-0337 to make arrangements in advance.

This column is provided by Suzie Kendrick, community relations coordinator at KPC.