Exploring the arts Page 6 Rochester Community and Technical College
Volume 90 - Issue 6 - May 2020
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Commencement goes virtual
RCTC will celebrate its 2019-2020 graduation candidates via social media. Photo courtesy of RCTC College Relations and Marketing Department
By Ilwad Salex Reporter Around this time almost every year, all around the country there are students who are preparing for arguably one of the most memorable times of their lives: high school graduation. They plan their outfits, invite loved ones, excited and scared of what the future holds. This year however, things are a bit different. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many schools and businesses deemed as non-essential around the world have closed. For this reason, many schools have decided to cancel graduation ceremonies and instead have the diplomas mailed home or picked up by the students.
Some prefer it this way, while others think sadly about the graduation ceremony they waited for for many years. It’s not only high schools that are canceling graduation ceremonies -- universities and colleges around the world have announced the cancelation of their graduation ceremonies, too. At Rochester Community and Technical College, this year they’ll hold a virtual commencement. Students can upload pictures, inspirational quotes along with their names and the major they are graduating with, and RCTC will put that information on a card showcasing it on social media. While this might be not traditional, RCTC is doing everything they can to
make it a memorable experience for graduates. Safia Mustaf, a John Marshall PSEO student, will soon be graduating high school. When asked about how the graduation ceremonies being canceled affected her, she said that although it’s not the way she’d imagined her high school graduation, “it’s something that can’t be helped.” “Graduation is something I have always been excited for and it’s a bit sad to see it never happen,” she said. “But at the end of day it is for the best.” Mustaf also said that because of graduation ceremonies being canceled, her high school was requesting student’s to send in pictures similar to what RCTC is doing.
RCTC student receives Mark M. Welter World Citizen Award and Scholarship RCTC staff Rochester Community and Technical College student Nhung Nguyen was selected to receive the Mark M. Welter World Citizen Award and Scholarship. Since emigrating from Vietnam in 2005, Nguyen has been active in volunteerism in the community, including having taught Vietnamese to young children in Rochester for several years. Nguyen Nguyen continues to face the many challenges in her life with perseverance and optimism. Nguyen was one of 20 Minnesota State college and university students selected to receive this honor. Through the generosity of Dr. Mark Welter, this award provides an annual tribute to Minnesota State students who exemplify an understanding of the interconnected nature of the world, its nations, and all people. Nguyen was nominated for this award by Sandy Aaby, a library technician at RCTC’s Goddard Library. For more information on the Mark M. Welter World Citizen Award, contact RCTC’s Academic Affairs office at 507285-7292.
Online learning becomes a ‘one-stop-shop’ for students By Ekhlas Abdullahi Editor in Chief
Due to COVID-19, all RCTC courses have been converted to online classes. However, for some classes, it is important to have hands-on, and in-class experience. Classes such as Anatomy and Physiology, which is a dual lecture and laboratory course, has had to convert both of these formats to an online learning platform.
Photo courtesy of RCTC College Relations and Marketing Department
RCTC faculty and students stay connected through online resources amid COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Jaime Tjossem, a professor of Anatomy and Physiology, “I wanted to make the transition to 100% online learning as smooth as possible for my students so each week I post a ‘What’s New... What’s Due?’ announcement in D2L. “There, students find instructions, direct links, and timelines for completing work
for the week. It is basically a ‘one-stopshop’ so that they can be organized as well.” Professor Tjossem says students are expected to watch recorded lectures, complete self assessments and Mastering A&P assignments, and watch laboratory video tutorials in order to prepare for lecture and lab exams. “If students have questions, they either email me or we meet in Zoom,” she says. In a replacement for the dual lab course, Professor Tjossem has been using prerecorded lectures on Mediaspace, and Mastering AP biology. However, not all classes have been able to replace all of their features immedi-
ately. For example, some students may not have internet access available at home or are living in environments that aren’t safe for them to study. Professor Tjossem said because many of her students were already using online features such as Mastering Biology, all of her students had internet access. Many health and biology courses are utilizing Mastering Biology, but almost all other courses are using other resources such as Zoom and Mediaspace. Communication during these times is also challenging due to the absence of in-person scheduling. Some courses are implementing scheduled Zoom calls for lectures and other questions.