3-25-20
Dear TALON-partner Administrators, Counselors and Classroom Aides:
I wanted to reach out to you to let you know that NPC is moving forward to ensure your students are able to complete their TALON courses this semester. As stated in my original email, our goal is for all TALON classes to be up and running in an alternate modality (such as an online format) by Monday, April 6th. As long as students have a computer and access to the internet (a smart phone could work in a pinch), they will be able to continue with their TALON classes.
NPC/TALON instructors will be reaching out directly to their students via email – many have already begun that process. As you also communicate to your students, please remind them that they are responsible for checking their NPC email and their course Moodle shells and for staying in touch with their instructors as needed.
An immediate concern our instructors are hearing from some of your students is the need to get ahold of their college textbooks. Would you please brainstorm solutions with your team on how to make those books available for students to pick up. Thank you.
One of the challenges we’ve been discussing here at the college is, what do we do for students who do not own a computer or have access to the internet? While we believe those students are few and far between, we still need a plan for how to serve them. Here are some possible solutions:
1) The high school could supply lap tops/Chromebook-type devices and hot spots for those students (I know of some high schools who are already doing this-thank you!);
2) The high school could open a computer lab for those students a few times a week, so that they can access their NPC classes. You would, of course, have to comply with recommendations such as no more than 10 people in the room at a time, students sitting six feet apart, etc.
3) Our instructors could provide course material via US mail, with students responsible for mailing back assignments in a timely manner. This is the most challenging solution for both instructors and students, but may be the only option for some students. If you know of students in this category, please email me their names and current phone numbers so we can reach out to them. We will then work together (student, instructor, HS contact and me) to create a plan that works for each student.
4) What suggestions/solutions do you have?
I will do my best to keep you up-to-date, as our plan is evolving as the situation dictates. As always, thank you for collaborating with us for the benefit of our mutual students.
Renell Heister
Project Director-Title III TALON Grant
Northland Pioneer College
renell.heister@npc.edu