LINCOLN – Among other developments, a new opportunity for online students who are majoring in Early Childhood Education at SCC is available. The Early Childhood Education Program now offers degrees for fully online students.
Students no longer have to worry about taking certain classes on campus if they don’t want to. If students want to study online, they can study online from anywhere they want and in their own comfort.
“There have been many changes that have been made to make it possible for students to take advantage of this online opportunity,” said Debra Thomas, interim chair for Early Childhood Education Program. “We have put forward great effort to make it possible for students to study where they want.”
Students are able to take courses online that meet every requirement.
The program was fortunate enough to receive a $4,000 grant to purchase materials and supplies to help students prepare to work with children with special needs.
Purchases included picture books for children, reference books for college classroom teaching, DVD’s, Boardmarkers and toys and materials for use by children. Some of those materials may be checked out by students to take with them to practicum sites to use directly with children.
In addition, the staff of the ECED Program is in the process of revising course ECED1060 Observation, Assessment and Guidance. Being added is course content that will familiarize students with and practice in using a computer software system to record children’s assessments.
The software program allows parents to go on-line to view assessment comments, anecdotal comments and actual work samples pertaining to their child. Many child care centers across the nation are beginning to use this assessment recording approach.
Online students have better opportunities to earn degrees while maintaining their personal lives, and that helps them to be more at ease with earning their degree the way they choose, Thomas said.
“The ECED Department as a whole looks forward to accepting more students into the program for next quarter,” Thomas added.