Lethbridge College extends access to a popular student support with its eLearning Café.
The initiative puts all the resources of its on-campus Learning Café at students’ fingertips 24/7. The services and supports on which students have come to depend are available whether they’re on campus or miles away.
“We’re pleased to be offering a service of this level to our online students, a learning resource made possible by the generosity of eCampusAlberta,” says Lynda Duval, eLearning Café project manager. “Our participation in eCampusAlberta allows us to share and support Lethbridge College programs with students near and far, strengthening our position by drawing students from a wider field. It’s an enormous benefit that will help attract and retain more online learners in post-secondary education.”
The eLearning Café’s online tutoring feature is available exclusively to eCampusAlbertastudents taking Lethbridge College courses. This interactivity allows students to access the Café's tutors through Meebo chat, a writing drop box, and Elluminate virtual conferencing software to get assistance with their assignments.
Tricia Donovan, executive director of eCampusAlberta, calls the initiative an exciting and important extension of learner support services for online learners.
“The core resources and science videos are a welcome addition,” says Donovan. “eCampusAlberta is proud to be a partner with Lethbridge College in this project. We are committed to improving the online learning experiences for students and this is a great example of effective resource sharing that creates benefits province-wide."
eLearning Café features include:
- online learning: explains the skills students need to get started, such as: communication and problem-solving skills, personal motivation and computer skills. Sections explain how to succeed as an online learner, using the Internet, managing course work and completing tests.
- study skills: helps students discover their learning styles, provides online learning strategies, explains how to deal with tests and self-management.
- writing & research: explains general paper structure, the writing process, research and APA, grammar and writing mechanics.
- online tutoring: links students with instructors to help them, either by instant messaging, one-on-one appointments, or through a writing drop-box with 48-hour turnaround. This support is exclusively for eCampusAlberta students taking a Lethbridge College course.