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The pandemic has brought greater awareness in communities and across the country about the myriad challenges that community colleges face, from access to technology to childcare. It has prompted many colleges to listen more carefully to students to determine their needs and to make improvements.
At this week’s 2020 Virtual ATE Conference, participants heard first-hand from a group of community college students on how to improve instruction, particularly during the pandemic. They were among 35 current two-year college students and recent graduates whose scientific posters about research or special academic projects were displayed during the conference.
The meeting marks the 27th year that the American Association of Community Colleges has hosted Advanced Technological Education (ATE) grantees with support from the National Science Foundation. And despite the conference being held virtually because of the pandemic, 1,050 people registered — surpassing 900 last year — and have participated in interactive remote sessions that have included panel discussions, technology demonstrations, video summaries of more than 250 funded projects and centers, and the student poster session.
‘Keep reaching out’
In the discussion moderated by Donald L. McCoy, a K-to-college STEM educational consultant, the students shared their COVID-related experiences and offered faculty advice for keeping students’ learning on track during the pandemic.
“It was very challenging in the beginning,” said Alexis White,...