CNA-8-2-2016

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2016

CNA photo by KELSEY HAUGEN

Reflections:

The sun sets over Summit Lake creating reflections on the water Monday evening in Creston.

SWCC to implement new Obama meets online system for classes Singapore PM, By KELSEY HAUGEN way, and you set up a pro- courses and how you navi- “THE OLD system’s CNA associate editor khaugen@crestonnews.com

Southwestern Community College (SWCC) is beginning to implement a new, Facebook-like software that will allow both students and instructors to more easily access class materials, grades and more online. The new software is Canvas by Instructure – an interactive, device-friendly, online learning platform – and will be used in all types of SWCC courses: face-to-face, online and hybrid. “I think it is easier to use. It is organized very simply, so there’s not a lot of clicking around,” said Doug Greene, SWCC director of distance education. “And, it has the ability so that you can put voice mes- Greene sages or video on a threaded discussion, so there is more interactivity. It is a little more like Facebook or Twitter in that

file and put a profile image for yourself. That makes it more personal.” The Iowa Community College Online Consortium (ICCOC) as a whole, of which SWCC is a member, recently adopted Canvas as its new Learning Management System. Theresa Umscheid, acting director for ICCOC, played a main role in the software selection process. “The move to Canvas is an important part of the ICCOC’s plan to enhance the online learning experience by providing our staff and students with a flexible, modern tool to support student success,” Umscheid said. At SWCC, a pilot for the new software will begin this spring, and the program will be fully in use by fall 2017. Canvas brings several new features for students and instructors to enjoy without compromising anything offered by the previous software, Pearson Learning Studio. So, as before, students will still have a 24/7 help desk and 15 hours of free online tutoring available to them. “The look and feel of the

gate them will be different with this brand new system,” Greene said. “But, as far as number of offerings of courses or terms, that will all stay the same. Cost will stay the same. And, the students will be able to, in some ways, have the same support services they’ve had with the old system, just with a nicer looking system and one that looks good on a phone.”

Benefits for students There are several additions Canvas offers that Greene said students will likely use often. The perk Greene sees as most useful to both students and instructors is the software is much more usable on devices other than a computer, whether it be a mobile phone or tablet. “The old system’s mobile app never really worked, but this actually does look good on a phone and is, parts of it, very usable on a phone,” Greene said. There’s also a calendar that allows students to set up their schedule. “So, you would see the

mobile app never really worked, but this actually does look good on a phone and is, parts of it, very usable on a phone.”

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DOUG GREENE

SWCC director of distance education

month of August, and every due date would be there,” Greene said. “If I was taking three classes, all of my due dates would be in one place.” Canvas offers more to help students stay organized: an online checklist. “Once I finish projects, let’s say I take the test, I do my threaded discussion and I finish, it crosses out what I’ve done, so it also works as kind of a to-do list,” Greene said. And, the software has Microsoft Word embedded in the courses, so no outside programs are needed for students or instructors SWCC | 2A

looks to boost TPP trade pact WASHINGTON (AP) — The prime minister of Singapore urged the United States to maintain its “indispensable role” in the Asia-Pacific and ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade deal as he joined President Barack Obama at the White House Tuesday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of U.S. diplomatic relations with the Southeast Asian city state. Calling Singapore a “rock solid” partner, Obama welcomed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong after an elaborate ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, where hundreds of U.S. military members in blue and white uniforms formed an honor guard. The two leaders were then meeting in the Oval Office, and Lee will also be honored with a state dinner on Tuesday evening. The U.S. president said they shared a “common vision of a peaceful and prosperous Asia-Pacific and a more secure world.” He paid tribute to the tiny nation’s transformation from

third world country to a first world country in the past five decades, describing it as a “red dot on many maps, but with a very big impact on the world.” Singapore, a close U.S. partner, is one of the 12 nations in the TPP, an agreement key to Obama’s effort to boost U.S. exports and build strategic ties in Asia. But Lee’s Washington visit comes as opposition to the TPP intensifies in the United States. Both Republican contender Donald Trump and his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, who are competing to succeed Obama as president, are against it. Lee acknowledged that some Americans are anxious and frustrated with economic uncertainty and the uneven result of globalization and trade, but said the U.S. is strengthened by its engagement in Asia. “Singapore fervently hopes that the U.S. will stay engaged and maintain OBAMA | 2A

CNA photo by KELSEY HAUGEN

CNA photo by SCOTT VICKER

Pack running: Levi Hitz, right, leads a pack of runners that includes, from right, Brielle

Baker, Rachel Shepherd and Ben Bargstadt during a 1-mile time trial Monday evening at the Creston cross country camp. The camp concludes tonight with the final session starting at 6 p.m. at Creston High School.

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Volume 133 No. 44

2016

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Farmers market: Jacquie Eblen, left, and her son Anthony, 11, both of Creston, prepare

to accept a purchase from Jaq Kenyon, 9, of Creston, who is turned around asking her mother for permission Monday afternoon at the Creston Farmers Market in McKinley Park. Right now, two of Jacquie’s children – Anthony and Vincent – help with the farmers market booth by planting the garden, making rubber band necklaces and selling popcorn. Out of the profits the children make, they give 10 percent to charity.

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