LMC students, faculty adapt to class delivery options due to COVID-19

Graduating during a state shutdown at the height of a global pandemic wasn't precisely what Ethan Worrell planned. Like many other seniors in the class of 2020, the Brandywine High School grad debated whether to put college plans on hold before enrolling this Fall at Lake Michigan College.

"I was nervous," he said. "I was so used to in-person classes that I didn't know what to expect. Sure, it's been a little weird doing this from home. The mindset is different, but so far, I have had an amazing time at LMC."

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, LMC's Fall semester classes that could be taught remotely have been offered remotely in one of several delivery options. Meanwhile, courses that require hands-on learning have limited in-person instruction in small groups that follow safety protocols. Two months into the Fall semester, students, faculty, and staff have been quick to adjust to the five course delivery options – Flexible Learning Environment (FLE); Online; Remote; Hybrid/Remote; and Hybrid/Face-to-Face – which will remain in place at least through the Spring.

FLE courses have offered the most flexibility. Students choose to interact by webcam during regularly scheduled class sessions or watch recorded class sessions online.

"The beauty of FLE is you can drop in when you feel like it," LMC Computer Information Systems professor Jay Keeler said. "If you want the course to be 100 percent in-seat, watching live, synchronous delivery, you can. If you want it to be 100 percent asynchronous because of your schedule, you can. Or anywhere in between."

Joseph Halcombe, a second-year CIS student, said Keeler's FLE classes helped him better manage the rest of his schedule.

"He records and posts all of his classes, so I don't always have to be there," Halcombe said. "I can have convenient work hours and review classes on my schedule. That's been a real benefit."

Kolleen Bromley, a first-year LMC student from Buchanan, takes two science classes using the Hybrid/Face-to-Face option, requiring some hands-on learning instruction. While on campus, safety precautions are required, include wearing a mask and a daily symptom checker.

"The pace can be difficult," she said. "You have to get a lot done in the time you are on campus, but having such a small class has been helpful. Plus, I am getting really good at expressing myself with my eyes."

There have been challenges, including reliable access to computers and the internet and continued health, economic and political pressures beyond higher education.

Computers are available through LMC's loaner laptop program, and there are plans to purchase more internet hotspots. LMC students continue to have access to tutoring, mentoring, and mental health support services, among others, and faculty and staff have become even more accessible through email and virtual office hours.

"If there weren't a pandemic, sure it would be cool to have the option of in-person classes, but I think we are all making the best out of the situation," Halcombe said. "I certainly feel like I am getting the support I need, and I'm just really thankful for everything LMC has been doing to make that happen."