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Del Tech to continue online learning into spring 2021

Delaware Public Media

Delaware Technical Community College announced Wednesday it will continue conducting most courses online during the spring semester. 

Del Tech joined most higher education institutions in making the switch to online learning last spring when the coronavirus pandemic arrived. The college continued its online format in the fall semester—with only select hands-on programs, like nursing and automotive, performing limited in person lab work. 

And Del Tech Public Relations Director Allison Hayes says online learning is going well. 

“Unlike the Spring, we’ve now had time to plan,” said Hayes. “We’ve had a lot of professional development. Most of our faculty participated in professional development over the summer months. So they are much more prepared to teach in an online format, especially if that’s something they had never done.”        

Hayes attributes the decision to remain online in spring 2021 to the rising rates of coronavirus cases, particularly among the age groups that attend colleges and universities. She also notes the upcoming flu season and winter weather.

But she admits continuing the online format may frustrate some students.

“A lot of students do say they learn better in a classroom setting, but we’re doing everything we can to mitigate that,” said Hayes. “We have a lot of different support services both online and on campus, if that’s what’s needed. We have computer labs that are open. We have tutoring centers that are open.”        

Both the University of Delaware and Delaware State University have yet to announce their spring plans. A UD spokesperson says it hopes to bring more students back on campus and increase face-to-face instruction.

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