Students remember when everyone was sent online during COVID. The struggles of keeping a set routine and getting work done. Falling behind in classes had many students never wanting to take an online class again.
This year the CCP Composition class faces a similar issue. Students in Stark State’s CCP classes need an instructor teaching them for a required number of hours in order to receive credit for the class. At the beginning of the first quarter, Stark State decided that the program would be moved online due to the absence of instructor Courtney Breon.
College Credit Plus (CCP), also called Dual Enrollment, is a program where public school students of Ohio grades 7-12 can be enrolled in college-level courses from colleges to gain both high school and college credits. Taking these classes can help students save money on tuition and give them a head start on their college career.
Typically students at GlenOak sign up to take the class with a live instructor; however, due to Breon’s absence, the class was forced online. Even though students have the same period, some have been split into different classes with different instructors.
Navigating the new site for students was hard without someone to help.
”The hardest part was having to figure out Blackboard. It’s hard to navigate when you’re used to Google Classroom,” junior Nina Brown said.
Students do not have another teacher in the school to assist with their grades or live activities.
“We don’t have in-person reminders or someone to talk face-to-face with. So if we want to talk to our college professor, we have to email them and if we can’t communicate over email, we have to try and schedule the Zoom meetings. So far every Zoom meeting that’s been scheduled has not gone well with the professor,” senior Ethan Leu said.
Since 2008, Breon has taught CCP Composition at GlenOak.
“I was disappointed to learn that I was not going to teach these students myself. This is the first and only time this has ever happened. It is a major adjustment for me, the students did not sign up for an online class,” Breon said.
Students would usually come into Breon’s classroom to be taught. While Breon is there she is not able to assist much in the work.
“It is easy and difficult. The kids ask for help and I want to help them as if they are my own students. However, they are not and I have to respect what their instructors require of them. I thoroughly miss teaching the students myself,” Breon said.
Many students have shown their distaste for the switch to online, claiming it was hard to get used to the new program. Other students say it impacted their ways of working in class. With the difficulty of college courses, students cannot afford to sit around and do nothing. One student said going online made it feel easier to push out of the way and ignore.
“It was hard to not be lazy, just the fact I could leave it off and not worry about it,” junior Christian Sklavenitis said.
It is hard for students to find the proper help, as every teacher has different expectations for students.
Despite the struggles, the students and Breon have gone through, Breon is very proud of her students.
“I will say this. To all of the students who are enrolled in CCP Composition: I am so proud of you and your hard work. I know this has not been easy, but you are going to get through this with amazing results. Go Eagles,” Breon said.
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