Because they're affordable and admit most anyone who wants to learn, community colleges are becoming more and more popular for students who want to earn college degrees in the U.S. However, because students enter community colleges at so many different learning levels, they often struggle to keep up in lecture-style classes and end up taking many more semesters than anticipated to get their degrees.
Certain community colleges have recognized these challenges and now offer students the chance to take courses online with a more specialized curriculum, in addition to scheduling one-on-one tutoring sessions with instructors. This helps get all students on a level playing field before they take more advanced courses.
However, not all community colleges are able to take those measures because it costs them more money and demands more time from instructors.
Quotes
"I hated it. The professors would go so fast. And if you ask a question, I have to break down each thing, and I might ask 30 questions on one subject. I couldn't keep up." - Revone Gifford, community college student
"The computer provides small video lectures. It provides PowerPoints. It provides step-by- step solutions at the problem level. So it's a very robust learning system, and it gives them options." - Alicia Morse, Anne Arundel Community College
Warm Up Questions
1. What is a community college? Do you know of one in your area?
2. What options do students have after they graduate from high school?
3. What do you do if you find yourself struggling in a class?
Discussion Questions
1. According to the video, why are the special tutoring methods described in this story not being used in all community colleges?
2. What are your plans for after high school? Do you think you will be prepared for what you’ll be expected to do/learn? Why or why not?
3. Why do you think learning online could be a better solution for students at different learning levels? How is it different from a lecture-based class?
Additional Resources
