6 films that celebrate Black History Month page 8
Rochester Community and Technical College
Volume 91 - Issue 4 - February 2021
www.rctc.edu /echo newer, better, faster www.rctc.edu /echo
Support, leadership ‘got us back on our feet’ Students attribute positive in-person learning experience to instructors By Faith Boyum Managing Editor 2021 may be a new year, but in-person classes such those from the dental hygiene program continue to follow modifications in order to comply with COVID safety measures. So far, the modifications seem to be working, although, Jenna Montonye, a student in the dental program, said that these changes in the beginning of last year during the lockdown made things a little complicated. “It was nerve wracking, at first, since we had no clue how we were going to proceed,” said Montonye. However, she found that the lecture portion of coursework went fine, even though they were not able to practice their clinical skills by working with patients right away. Starting in August of last year, dental students were able to begin working with patients, which helped make up for what they missed due to to the lockdown. Breana Luschen, a Luschen former dental
assistant and another current student in the dental hygiene program, noted some of the differences in how classes and clinical experiences are held. Right now, most classes are hybrid, while labs and clinical experience continue to be in-person. For labs and clinical experiences, students meet in larger spaces and in smaller numbers to comply with COVID safety rules. They also wear PPE such as hairnets, shields and N95 masks. Inperson courses have been scheduled in such a way Submitted photo as to use resources like Students from RCTC’s class of 2020 dental hygiene program take a group photo prior to the PPE efficiently. COVID-19 pandemic. Luschen said that some of what makes things more take the written exam by late May, and they into the [dental hygiene] program.” Luschen challenging is the time were able to take the practical exam in late said. element. It takes more time to set up equipJuly. Though the pandemic may have caused ment, and there are more items in the room. Students from the class of 2021, on the a lot of changes, Montonye attributes her Students need to wear PPE, which is other hand, are currently on track to take positive experience in the program to the composed of multiple items, and they screen their licensure exams without delays. help her instructors provided. all patients before examining them. Luschen and Montonye, who are both on “I want to note that our teachers and Though training in the program contintrack to graduate in May 2021, have liked clinical staff are what got us back on our ues, the pandemic did affect some student’s the program. While Luschen was inspired feet once we reopened. They worked hard to ability to take their licensure exams. to pursue further training because she adapt our program with all the new restric“The pandemic did affect the class of wanted to be able to educate both children tions and were absolutely amazing about 2020 by postponing their licensure exams and adults in taking care of their teeth, having us all on track and ready for our that normally would have taken place beginMontonye was originally on a path toward second year. I am grateful that we had such ning after spring break and right before nursing until she discovered dental hygiene, a supportive group leading us during these graduation,” said Cherie Fritz, an instructor which she decided was a better fit. crazy times,” said Montonye. in the dental program. “I have recommended other people look However, these students were able to
Teachers adapt to new normal for in-person classes By Mark Fantonial General Reporter Ever since the pandemic outbreak began, the regular livelihood of people has changed. Essential workers rush to their jobs. Most people work at home, and students have been doing school at home. It was a relevant shift last spring semester, but as the year progresses, there have been some new changes. So far there have been multiple delivery methods that are accessible to the RCTC students.
In-person classes were the common option available pre-COVID-19. Hybrid classes are just like in-person classes with a hint of online lectures. Students normally go to their designated classes, and as they dive into their D2L, there are a few lectures sitting and waiting for them. Completely Online Synchronous is usually an online class where there are designated Zoom lectures on specified days. Completely Online Asynchronous is similar, but Zoom lectures aren’t involved.
Students who are taking this type of class work on their own time and at their own pace with the given tasks per week. HyFlex is a new method where the students can test out whether they want to take their classes online via Zoom or attend class in person with face-to-face teaching. To clarify the differences of the current teaching methods offered, RCTC faculty and instructor of Art + Design Professor
Daniel Vedamuthu answered a few common questions about the updated teaching method (mostly in the art department). Vedamuthu
Continued on page 2: Professor Vedamuthu explains the different teaching methods and answers some common questions