Skip to main content
Delaware Technical Community College logo
  • Apply Now
  • Giving
  • News & Events
  • Employment
  • Campus Safety
MYDTCC
Search form
  • Alumni
    • Benefits
    • News
    • Events
    • Distinguished Alumni
    • Alumni Association Meetings
    • Success Stories
    • Contact Us
  • Prospective Students
  • About
    • Mission, Vision, Strategic Directions and Values
    • History
    • College Initiatives
    • College Facts
    • Consumer Information
    • Board of Trustees
    • Administration
    • Accreditation
    • Employment
    • Campus Safety
    • News & Events
    • Giving
    • Contact Us
  • Admissions & Financial Aid
    • Admissions
    • Tuition & Fees
    • Prospective Students
    • Open House / Info Sessions
    • New Student Orientation
    • Financial Aid & Scholarships
    • Request More Information
  • Academics
    • Programs of Study
    • Registration Information
    • Academic Calendar
    • Transfer Options
    • International Education
    • Earning College Credit in High School
    • Instructional Technology & CCIT
    • Learning Options
    • College Catalog
  • Student Resources
    • Virtual Support Center
    • Graduation
    • On Campus Support
    • Learning Support
    • Academic Advising
    • Libraries
    • Bookstores
    • Career Services
    • Students in Need
    • Wellness Center
    • Disability Support Services
    • Veterans Services
    • Transcript Request
    • Childcare
    • Presidential Student Leadership Academy
  • Campus Life
    • Calendar of Events
    • Clubs & Organizations
    • Athletics
    • Dining Services
    • Parking and Transportation
    • Student Spotlight
    • Meet Our Faculty and Staff
    • Delaware Tech Reset
  • Continuing Education
    • Course Registration, Search and Schedules
    • Workforce Training
    • Customized Training
    • Personal Enrichment
    • Youth Programs
    • Production Technology
    • Information Technology Academies
    • Non Credit Policy Guide
  • Our Campuses
    • Dover
    • Georgetown
    • Stanton
    • Wilmington
  • Alumni
    • Benefits
    • News
    • Events
    • Distinguished Alumni
    • Alumni Association Meetings
    • Success Stories
    • Contact Us
  • Prospective Students
  • About
  • Admissions & Financial Aid
  • Academics
  • Student Resources
  • Campus Life
  • Continuing Education
  • Our Campuses
MYDTCC
  • Apply Now
  • Giving
  • News & Events
  • Employment
  • Campus Safety
MYDTCC
Search Search
  • Mission, Vision, Strategic Directions and Values
  • History
  • College Initiatives
  • College Facts
  • Consumer Information
  • Board of Trustees
  • Administration
  • Accreditation
  • Employment
  • Campus Safety
  • News & Events
  • Giving
  • Contact Us
  • Admissions
  • Tuition & Fees
  • Prospective Students
  • Open House / Info Sessions
  • New Student Orientation
  • Financial Aid & Scholarships
  • Request More Information
  • Programs of Study
  • Registration Information
  • Academic Calendar
  • Transfer Options
  • International Education
  • Earning College Credit in High School
  • Instructional Technology & CCIT
  • Learning Options
  • College Catalog
  • Virtual Support Center
  • Graduation
  • On Campus Support
  • Learning Support
  • Academic Advising
  • Libraries
  • Bookstores
  • Career Services
  • Students in Need
  • Wellness Center
  • Disability Support Services
  • Veterans Services
  • Transcript Request
  • Childcare
  • Presidential Student Leadership Academy
  • Calendar of Events
  • Clubs & Organizations
  • Athletics
  • Dining Services
  • Parking and Transportation
  • Student Spotlight
  • Meet Our Faculty and Staff
  • Delaware Tech Reset
  • Course Registration, Search and Schedules
  • Workforce Training
  • Customized Training
  • Personal Enrichment
  • Youth Programs
  • Production Technology
  • Information Technology Academies
  • Non Credit Policy Guide
  • Dover
  • Georgetown
  • Stanton
  • Wilmington

Home

You are here
Home » About » News & Events » Delaware Tech, Instructors Embrace Creative Distance Learning

Delaware Tech, Instructors Embrace Creative Distance Learning

Student participates in online learning using laptop.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit this spring, Delaware Tech made the decision to deliver classes primarily through distance learning, which meant faculty members were suddenly thrust into a new way of teaching.

But through their collective creativity, planned professional development trainings, and effective use of technology, instructors have kept students engaged and on track to meet their academic goals.

“I am really proud of the adaptability and resilience by our instructors, because it is very hard to teach in a distance-learning environment, especially with the passion they have for in-person teaching and learning,” said Justina Sapna, vice president for academic affairs.

One of the first steps in addressing the new teaching environment was to bring together Instruction and the Center for Creative Instruction & Technology (CCIT) to hold a course design institute to help faculty members design effective distance-learning courses for D2L, the College’s learning management system.

Nearly 40 instructors attended the institute, which was sponsored by JPMorgan Chase. Working collectively at that institute and beyond, instructors and CCIT designed numerous courses that could be used by any instructor teaching that course at the College.

Individually, many instructors have taken additional steps to embrace distance learning and adapt their approach to teaching.

In the science department, Andrew Baskerville, academic support assistant and adjunct instructor, created a new lab manual for his general biology students. The labs are designed to be conducted with easily accessible items. For example, he has students use potatoes to better understand the diverse role and functions of enzymes and use dried beans to teach the mark-recapture technique used to estimate a population size. Baskerville also had students create a baby bug out of a quarter to gain a better understanding of genetics.

“I created the manual because I wanted my students to be able to do the labs at home and not simply stare at a screen or worksheet,” he said. “And I have heard in their feedback that the labs have been engaging, fun, and helpful.”

Mathematics Instructor Megan Wagaman is posting video worksheets to D2L prior to her classes so students can better prepare for upcoming lessons. Before the class meets, students watch an instructional video and then complete the related worksheet. This allows Wagaman the opportunity to provide individual feedback before the entire class comes together, and the result is more class time being devoted to using the fundamental concept covered in the lesson.

“We are able to accomplish more in class,” she said. “We are doing more word problems and equations, and, for math, I do believe there is value to writing things out.”

While the emphasis on distance learning has certainly changed the format instructors are using to teach, it hasn’t changed their commitment of support for their students, which is a critical component to success.

“It’s not just the format and content of the course that is important, but also the pedagogy and the support of the instructor,” said Sapna. “I am proud of how everyone is managing all of this.”

Stay Connected

Link to Delaware Tech Magazine Fall 2019 Edition.

Delaware Technical Community College Logo

Copyright © 2021
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Employee Directory

  • Dover (302) 857-1000
  • Georgetown (302) 259-6000
  • Stanton (302) 454-3900
  • Wilmington (302) 571-5300

Delaware Technical Community College is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender orientation, gender identity or pregnancy, or any other classifications protected by federal, state, and local law.

Reports of sexual misconduct and/or discrimination, involving any student or employee of Delaware Technical Community College should be directed to the Title IX/Civil Rights Coordinator or Section 504 Coordinator, at civilrights@dtcc.edu, (302) 857-1903. Reports may also be mailed in writing to Delaware Technical Community College, P.O. Box 897, 100 Campus Drive, Dover, Delaware 19904. Learn more about Title IX/Civil Rights at the College.