ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
Prince George's Community College has recently made changes to its curriculum to better serve students.
"The PGCC staff has been listening to requests and comments of our active duty students and their dependents," said Ms. Valerie Halseth, Education and Training Flight chief. "Most of our students are first-time college students so we try to accommodate many types of learning styles, levels and various course formats."
"Starting this spring, PGCC will have a new class format," said Ms. Halseth.
The new course format combines both in-class and on-line instruction, she said.
The Nutrition 101 class will be offered as an accelerated combined in-class lecture and distance learning format.
"This means students meet once per week and the remainder of the class is online," said the flight chief. "The class is only eight weeks long and starts on March 25," said Ms. Halseth.
The format for Speech 101 will be an eight-week format, two nights per week starting March 24. Other courses offer options such as weekend classes begining in March and April.
"There are 'weekender' classes that will meet only three specified weekends, Friday night and Saturday," said Ms. Halseth. "These courses require a lot of independent work before the first class meeting. The changes in format benefit the base community and most of the feedback has been positive. Most students' reaction to accelerated, alternative formats is 'Oh, wow, great!' That's what we like to hear. Many active duty students are pleased with the changes. The shorter, more intense courses benefit our active duty students the most because of their work schedules and family responsibilities."
A more traditional classroom format is still available for those who prefer it.
"Advisors are available to help students with a suitable schedule and answer questions," said Ms. Halseth. "Registration for the spring semester is ongoing, although the spring semester classes are currently underway."
Registration for summer classes begins April 21.
PGCC summer sessions will also be in the new format.
"For summer sessions, which begin June 2 and July 7, students will find more classes meeting only two nights per week for five weeks instead of the traditional 3 to 4 nights per week," said Ms. Halseth. "Math, which is 10 weeks, speech, english, management, and nutrition are some of the courses that meet only two nights in the summer. The college offers online courses - typically meeting for 10 weeks, in the summer, as well."
For more information, contact Ms. Halseth at 301-981-4315.