Newsroom

Flexible Class Formats Coming For Fall

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has developed five different types of classroom instruction into their fall 2020 course offerings. The new offerings were created to ensure that all students feel comfortable and safe within their preferred learning environments.

Dependent upon individual preference, students may register for the following five different instructional formats: split section, virtual classroom, online, in-person, and hybrid.

CLASS FORMATS

• Split Section Instruction (1/2 Face-to-Face and 1/2 ZOOM instruction)
  Split section classes are offered two days per week, where part of the class is on-campus one day, while the other day is conducted via ZOOM at the student’s preferred location. Below is an example of a Monday/Wednesday schedule.

• • Mondays: Half the class meets in-person, while the other half meets via ZOOM.
  • Wednesdays: Half the class meets via ZOOM, while the other half meets in-person.
• Virtual Classroom Instruction
  Students will participate in class virtually through ZOOM at a scheduled day and time each week. Students will get to choose their preferred day of the week when registering for classes.

• Online Instruction
  Online classes will be taught 100% online and will not be scheduled to meet on specific days or times. Online classes will have weekly assignments, readings, forums, tests, and activities. These classes are reading and writing intensive. It is recommended that students enrolling in these classes have strong time management, reading, and writing skills.

• In-Person Instruction
  In-person classes meet physically on-site each week. Classes will meet one, two, or three days per week at scheduled times, with smaller class sizes in order to comply with social distancing guidelines.

• Hybrid Instruction
  Hybrid classes are a combination of in-person and online instruction. Students must attend class physically on scheduled days and times. They must also complete online assignments, readings, activities, and projects.

“Split section classes are a new concept for Penn Highlands,” stated Barbara Zaborowski, interim Vice President of Academic Affairs. “This format will allow us to have students on-campus and face-to-face with faculty while maintaining mandated social distancing rules. In addition to social distancing, students will need to wear face coverings while on-site.”

SAFETY MEASURES

In order to adhere to social distancing mandates, class sizes have been reduced to allow for both students and faculty to interact in a safe environment.

Access to the college’s computer labs and the library will be readily available for students at the Richland Campus. All computer lab and library areas will be monitored and sanitized regularly, while every other computer workstation will be available for use in order to maintain proper social distancing.

Students are required to wear face coverings at all college locations. Hand sanitizing stations will also be available at each entrance; students will be encouraged to use them prior to entering any college facility.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For questions pertaining to the new classes listed above, please contact Admissions at 814.262.6446 or admissions@pennhighlands.edu. Summer office hours for Admissions are Monday through Thursday, from 8am to 5pm.