LANSING, Mich. — When the COVID-19 pandemic forced LCC to move to an online-only learning environment March 18, the college’s faculty made a rapid pivot to teaching virtually.
Many had never done so before and were accustomed to giving feedback to their students face-to-face in the classroom.
Refusing to let this unprecedented challenge stop her connection to students, LCC sign language instructor Lindy Browne got busy devising a plan to help her students move forward with their academic career and successfully complete their spring semester.
Browne turned to the online tool GoReact for assistance. GoReact is an interactive platform that takes performance-based teaching to a new level. Using this tool has provided Browne with the ability to provide feedback and critique of video assignments to her sign language students.
The feedback she must provide to her students is critical in the learning process. “When we interpret from English into American Sign Language, we are interpreting the meanings of words and concepts,” said Browne. “We need to be sure that students are producing the correct signs to convey the proper meaning and to render the message faithfully.”
While online college courses are not new (LCC offered some online classes prior to the coronavirus pandemic), the shift to online learning caused by COVID-19 meant preparing to teach online in a matter of days rather than the typical months of planning required.
Browne has been an interpreter for 25 years and has taught at LCC for 5 years but is teaching online for the first time.
When asked about the challenges of teaching in a virtual environment Browne said, “These are unusual times in our life experience, but time does not stop, so we must adjust. Although the switch to a virtual environment is a definite challenge, we owe it to our students and their education to make this into a positive experience.
About Lansing Community College
Lansing Community College, founded in 1957, is one of the largest community colleges in Michigan, serving more than 23,000 students across a six-county area each year. LCC offers courses in general education for those interested in transferring to a four-year institution, career and workforce development, developmental education and personal enrichment. To meet the professional development and training needs of regional employees, the college offers customized programs for credit, non-credit and continuing education. The University Center at LCC offers students the opportunity to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees from five partner universities on the downtown LCC campus. For more information, visit lcc.edu [lcc.edu].
Lansing Community College is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and equal education for all persons regardless of race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, creed, ancestry, height, weight, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, familial status, marital status, military status, veteran’s status, or other status as protected by law, or genetic information that is unrelated to the person’s ability to perform the duties of a particular job or position or that is unrelated to the person’s ability to participate in educational programs, courses, services or activities offered by the college.
The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Equal Opportunity Officer, Washington Court Place, 309 N. Washington Square Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-1730; Employee Coordinator 504/ADA, Administration Building, 610 N. Capitol Ave. Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-1875; Student Coordinator 504/ADA, Gannon Building, 411 N. Grand Ave. Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-1885; Lori Willett, Human Resource Manager/Title IX Coordinator, Administration Building, 610 N. Capitol Ave. Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-1870; Christine Thompson, Student Title IX Coordinator, Gannon Building, 411 N. Grand Ave. Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-1261.
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