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ALSO
IN THIS ISSUE Championship Turf Tender Sounds of Success New Home in Urban Village In the Spirit of the Season Pace Yourself Fill 'er Up With Fries Chancellor's Column Development News Factoids Newsmakers Accomplishments by faculty and staff… |
Pace Yourself Arrive
when you please, learn at your leisure. While
some students require the discipline of a strictly defined schedule, others
prosper more from a flexible learning environment, allowing them to attend
at their own pace. Such flexibility is available via the independent learning
programs offered through Continuing Education, at the Centre City Center,
1400 Park Blvd., and at other locations throughout the district’s
geographical area. Nestled
within the Centre City location is a learning laboratory allowing students
to study for their high school equivalency exams, receive basic education
in several subject areas, study for the GED and begin college preparations.
These elements of the learning lab are part of a larger program wherein
students can learn ESL skills, computer skills and other necessities. “We
have quite a variety of resources, and can set the students up in a program
they are comfortable with,” said learning lab instructor Wendy White,
who has been teaching in the program for nearly 20 years. “We look
at where the student is at in studies, then create an outline. They are
started where they need to start, then they progress until they finish
what they need to finish.” White
says the lab has served as a superb launching ground for students who
need to brush up on skills. “College
can be a scary place for older students who are returning, and now must
compete with younger students whose educational experience is fresher,”
White said. “By allowing these students to learn at their own pace,
the college environment is less threatening. They can take tests when
they need to, and correct their own mistakes.” The
center is also an ideal place for those students with children and jobs.
The lab is open from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5:30-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday. “A
lot of times, working adults and parents can’t sustain the schedule
involved in a regular curriculum,” White said. “They need to
be able to come when they can, and most respond quite well to a one-on-one
academic relationship with the teacher, and a tutorial program.” An
example of the program’s success is Chinese immigrant Isaac Chan,
who wanted to learn English and opted for this easier paced method. “I
would recommend independent learning to anyone who came from another country
and wanted to learn in a way that was comfortable,” Chan said. “This
is true especially if the student is working, or raising a family.” Chan
earned his GED, an associate degree at City College and a child development
certificate, and still finds his way to the center for more learning. “It’s
been a wonderful experience for me,” Chan said. “This is an
education that has provided me so many opportunities.”
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