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Clackamas Print
Newt
Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007
CourseCompass charts new patii
Kimberly Maier
The Clackamas Print
Instructors at Clackamas are
always on the lookout for new
resources to help students learn.
This year, some instructors have
decided to test out a product called
CourseCompass. It is similar to and
powered by Blackboard, an online
teaching resource with which the
college is already familiar.
CourseCompass is owned by
the textbook publishing compa­
ny, Pearson Education. Students
must buy a special code that cor­
responds to the course’s text­
book for an additional $49. Once
the code is obtained, students
can log on to “MyMathLab,”
“MyChemistryLab,”
or
“MyCrimeLab.”
Pearson Education offers
CourseCompass for every subject
they publish, but so far, the inter­
est at Clackamas has been focused
in the three previously mentioned
areas.
Math
teacher
Kurt
Lewandowski is one of the instruc­
tors who currently uses the system
in his classes.
“The
publishers
of
CourseCompass came on campus
and demonstrated ‘MyMathLab.’
We as a department decided it was
something we wanted to explore,”
said Lewandowski.
When students log in to
CourseCompass, the entire text and
syllabus is available to them, along
with assignments and other activi­
ties preloaded into the program.
Some students who are comput­
er-savvy or have used Blackboard
in the past have a positive reaction
to CourseCompass.
Student Eric McCombs said,
“CourseCompass is way bet­
ter than Blackboard. It’s easy to
know when my assignments are
due because it’s all right there
on the page when I log in. It’s so
convenient.”
McCombs also said that doing
homework on CourseCompass is
more understandable than using
the book alone.
“It works through the problem
with you. Having the whole book
online is cheaper, too, because then
you don’t have to buy it,” he said.
However, not everyone is
thrilled about the new program.
“Our class had a hard time with
it at first,” said student Nicole
Hauser, “People complained about
it, so our instructor gave us the
option of turning in assignments
CAMPUS NEWS
& EVENTS
Clackamas Repertory Theatre Winter Production
Bom Yesterday, directed by David Smith-English, will be per­
formed in the Osterman Theatre, and evening performances
are scheduled for 7 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, March 1
through 3 and 8 through 10. Matinees are scheduled for 2:30
p.m., March 4 and 11. General admission is $10; seniors 62 and
older, as well as students, $8. For more information, call 503-
657-6958, ext. 2356.
Scholarship workshops will be offered on Tues., Feb. 27 and
Tues., March 6, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Roger Rook Hall,
Room 117. The deadline for CCC scholarship applications is
Tues., March 13. For more information, please contact Darcie
Iven at 503-657-6958, ext. 5008.
Spring Term Childcare Grants
Childcare grant applications for Spring Term are now available
in the ASG office. The last day for students to turn in their appli­
cations is Fri., March 9. For more information, please contact
ASG at 503-657-6958, ext. 2245.
out of the text It’s tough because
the Compass has a hard time run­
ning on a slow program. My dad
had to upgrade our computer so it
could work.”
Lewandowski confirmed that
dial-up service makes it very hard
to use CourseCompass.
“There are obvious draw­
backs,” he said. “Mac computers
can’t work in that environment.
Mac is just not compatible, but we
have other ways that students can
access the Internet here on campus.
Students can use the computers in
the library or at Streeter [Hall].”
Students would be wise to do
so, because the system has a fea­
ture that allows the instructor to
view when and how long pupils
are logged on to the program.
At this point in time, it is
unclear as to whether or not this
will become a required part of
courses. This is the second term
that CourseCompass has been
available at Clackamas.
Instructor Bruce Simmons is
using MyMathLab for the first time
this term. Although he has reserva­
tions about the extra financial cost
to his students, he’s willing to give
the system a try.
“We’re all getting used to it
together,” he said.
Illustration by Elizabeth Hitz and Adam J. Manley Clackamas Print
University degree programs at
community college expense
Jennifer Jenkins
The Clackamas Print
The structure of community college is get­
ting a much-needed update to battle rising
tuition prices for private universities.
Clackamas Community College’s Business
Department has developed a new AAS
(Associate of Applied Science) Degree in
Retail Management. The program will be sub­
mitted to the state for approval at its March
meeting.
“We are all very excited about this new
opportunity,” said Joan Ryan, department chair
of the program.
With this degree, students can earn a
Bachelor’s from a private university and pay
for most of it at the community college level.
Additionally, students with on-the-job experi­
ence in retail can use the AAS alone to gain
access to upper management positions previ­
ously excluded, according to Ryan.
p
F
The program will be called an Articulated I
Degree because it will require 120 cred-1
its, making it a three-year Transfer Degree!'
and giving a student entry into Marylhurstl
University as a senior.
Ryan has been working alongside other!
Oregon community colleges to make the prow
gram statewide.
W
Each college’s classes will need to be I
evaluated by Marylhurst University in order!'
to qualify. The program requires pending cer-t
tification by the State of Oregon before it cant
be offered.
When the Articulated Degree gets off thé
ground, it will give people who couldn’t see a
four-year program as a possibility new hope
It may eventually be transferable to other uni­
versities, or open the door for other three-year
Articulated Degrees.
Anyone who would like to know more
about this degree program can contact Ryan
at 503-657-6958, ext. 2363, or by e-mail a
j oanr@yahoo .com.
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