Jackson College @ LISD TECH / ADRIAN
AUGUST 2019 / VOLUME 1 / ISSUE 2
College moves to 7-week classes to improve student success Helping students complete a college degree faster and more efficiently, Jackson College is scheduling more classes sections to take place over seven weeks in addition to classes that take place over a traditional 15-week time period.
faster
path
Seven-week classes will offer the same number of instructional hours and content but in half the time as a 15week classes. Students should enroll in half of their registered classes in the first 7-week term and the other half of their classes in the second 7-week term. This will allow students to concentrate on one or two classes intently rather than spreading their attention over four or more classes a term.
to a
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Some classes will remain in a 15-week format, but as of this fall semester, a majority will run in a 7-week format. In visits to other colleges and related research, evidence has shown that students who enroll in compressed terms have higher course success rates, drop fewer classes, and progress more quickly to a degree. Jackson College is pursuing 7-week terms as part of its Total Commitment to Student Success (TCS2).
Students should make sure that they are only taking one or two (a maximum of three) 7-week classes at a time. Part-time students who work a full-time job are strongly advised to take only one 7-week classes at a time. This is because 7-week classes are of the same rigor and equate to the same instructional and required study hours as 15-week classes. Second, students should manage their time carefully so they do not miss classes and can stay current with the readings and assignments each week. Students should block off sufficient times outside of class to devote to studying.
For students planning to transfer,
a 7-week format will not negatively affect the transferability of that class. A student’s transcript will look identical whether they take a course in a 7-week format or a 15week format.
Total financial aid award eligibility will not change.
In compressed scheduling, a student’s credit hours for the semester are divided between two seven-week terms.
fits with
today’s
busy
lifestyles
Should an emergency arise at some point in the semester, persisting to complete in seven weeks would be much more manageable.
Sharing his love of math with students adds up for Gemalsky Helping students learn to love math adds up to success for instructor Brian Gemalsky. Gemalsky begins his second year teaching at Jackson College this fall. He first came to Adrian as a student at Siena Heights University, then stayed. “I love the small-town feel, but you’re still able to do some bigger city activities.” He taught at Onsted High School for 13 years before coming to the College. “I starting tipping my toes in and doing adjunct work at Jackson College. I was excited to see what was happening with student success; I was always willing to help and wanted to put students first. It was good to see, so I wanted to pursue that.” The Jackson College @ LISD TECH campus offers similar classes and services as one would find at a larger campus, but in a more close-knit environment, which Gemalsky enjoys. “I get to know my students here, and I may even get to know a student who may not be in my class. It’s a friendly environment. I love being part of the Jackson College community and the satellite campus.”
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I get to know my students here, and I may even get to know a student who may not be in my class.
Teaching college math may be a challenge even for the instructor, with many students wary of the subject. “I like to show them that it is something that they can do, to build strong relationships with them and let them know it’s OK if they mess up, we’re going to get it right,” he said. “Once you break down the barrier that ‘I’m not good at math,’ they do start to enjoy it. I also have them say ‘I love math’ over and over, which seems to help!” he jokes.
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Away from work, Gemalsky – a father of three – enjoys spending time with his family. He’s happy with his work and the opportunity to help students. “I’m living the dream, doing what I want to do and having fun doing it.”
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