Whatcom Community College Lab Courses Online

Unlikely Online Programs: Solutions for Lab Sciences Michael Shepard Whatcom Community College E-Learning Coordinator

Allied Health at WCC

Nursing RN program

Physical Therapist Assistant Program F2F and Hybrid

Medical Assistant

Massage Practitioner

IBEST - Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training

Online Lab Courses at WCC

Entire 9 quarter Physical Therapist Assistant Program

Anatomy and Physiology – prerequisite for PTA, Massage and Nursing Programs

Pharmacology – part of Nursing and Medical Assistant programs

PTA Program History

F2F program started in 1994

Local and statewide workforce shortage for PTAs identified

2003 Business community approached WCC to create an online program

2006 Hybrid Program created, accredited and 17 students enrolled

Students from AK, ID, Eastern WA

Physical Therapy Assistant Hybrid Program

Currently 29 enrolled in Hybrid program

F2F program runs concurrently

Meet 3-4 weekends per quarter @ WCC for hands on training, skills assessments and testing

9 Quarter program

Retention has gone up from 76% to 100%

100% job placement in PTA field

2008 Governor’s Award for Workforce Best Practice

Program Challenges

Lack of faculty support for online teaching and use of technology in classroom

Heavy reliance on text based e-learning

Lack of multi-media resources especially for lab skills

From a BlackBoard student discussion board: “ I was interested if ya’ll would like to draft a letter to the folks at the school who have the ability to authorize the creation of some additional sources/methods of online learning . . . Such modifications will appeal to different learning styles while providing an enhanced, more well- rounded learning experience for all.”

Student Centered Implementation