IMPACT STORIES
Self-paced and physically distanced lets Electro-Mech student speed ahead
When other degree programs converted from long semesters to eight-week terms , Rob Gross was ahead of the curve . His Electromechanical degree program features one-credit classes that students can take at their own pace , using equipment in the Engineering Technology Hall .
“ You can concentrate on the material and you can get it done at a faster pace . I was averaging about one week per one-credit class .”
He was comfortable taking classes online , but he is glad NWTC reopened campus for physically-distanced hands-on labs .
“ I like working one-on-one with the instructors ,” he said . “ You ’ re physically there , having the errors come up , having the instructors walk you through what it takes to avoid it or fix it .”
Creative hands-on learning at home turns into a success
As students in the Biomedical Electronics program finished up the spring semester virtually , instructor Don Cormier still wanted to give them some hands-on experience .
So he turned to a common household electronic — the vacuum .
“ One of the main reasons for going to a technical college was for the hands-on experience , so to be in this kind of situation is a little bit more difficult ,” student Evan Reed said .
Biomedical Electronics is the installation , maintenance , and technical support for medical equipment . Old used vacuums fit right into the lesson plan .
Whether it is an old vacuum or medical equipment , the assignment principles were the same : students need to know how to find a problem and fix it .
“ I ’ m glad that our instructors were finding ways to work around that and still giving us that opportunity to be able to work and collaborate as classmates and still get that education we need ,” Reed said .
You can concentrate on the material and you can get it done at a faster pace .
Rob Gross
8 FRIENDS OF NWTC | FALL 2020