Lakeland's mascot, Crash

In an effort to help its students adjust to remote learning, Lakeland Community College has produced an in-house video series to help students interact with its online learning platform. Approximately 60% of courses this fall will be delivered remotely. Most classes begin Aug. 22 with a second fall session beginning Oct. 17.

The series, "Crash's Camp for Remote Learning," features the college's wave mascot, Crash, throughout five short modules. Videos are designed to inform students what they need to know to navigate the unchartered waters of an online class. Topics include strategies for success, getting organized, tips from professors and students, and a review of resources available at Lakeland.

"Many colleges, including Lakeland, are offering more classes in a remote environment than in-person this fall," said Laura Barnard, Esq., executive vice president and provost at Lakeland. "We know that taking online classes for the first time might be a little unsettling, so we incorporated the college mascot —and his can-do attitude—to make it friendlier and approachable to students."

Some of the topics related to online classes mentioned in the series include:

• How to access and work within Blackboard, Lakeland's online learning platform; how to participate in discussion forums, how to follow the class syllabus; and how to submit assignments properly.
• Suggestions from faculty members, who teach online regularly, on how to be successful when communicating online.
• Getting to know important resources, such as tutoring, and how to maintain a healthy mindset for successful learning in a virtual classroom.
• Tips for getting organized for the virtual learning environment and how to implement quality study skills.

"The series is also helpful to those who are thinking about starting their college education and what it's like to be a remote learner," said Barnard. "So, although the videos are aimed at our current students, anyone can watch and get a feeling for online learning. We hope it will also encourage those who are on the fence about taking online classes to try it out."

The "Crash's Camp for Remote Learning" video playlist is available to the public on Lakeland's YouTube page.

Lakeland also recently received a grant from the KeyBank Foundation to implement a "Remote Learning Concierge Program" this fall to further provide students with a designated point person and resources to be successful distance learners.

By: Jessica Novak