The Online Classroom Takes Center Stage
Tens of thousands of Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) students return to the classroom on Monday, March 30 the online classroom that is! This includes West LA College
In the past two weeks since the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools and colleges across the nation to temporarily suspend instruction, including LACCD, the District's faculty, administration and staff have worked non-stop to shift about 95 percent of all in-classroom courses to an online learning environment, as well as remote work platforms for business operations, to help fight against the community spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
A special "Welcome Back" message from LACCD Chancellor Francisco C. Rodriguez, Ph.D., was released this weekend as part of the outpouring of supportive messages to come from LACCD Board of Trustees President Andra Hoffman, from the College Presidents and others throughout the District to reassure students that the Colleges of Los Angeles are online and ready for them.
"I cannot be more proud of the work by the District's faculty and staff to serve our students during this public health crisis. It is incredible to think that in just two short weeks, thousands of classes have been moved online, nearly 2,000 faculty have been trained and we are ready to teach and learn in the online world. We know it will not be perfect, but we also know that we are in this together," Board President Hoffman said.
Chancellor Rodriguez said this has been "a truly historic and amazing all-hands-on-deck moment" for everyone throughout the District's nine colleges and central office, as every facet of the organization has been impacted. "We are especially grateful to the faculty and staff, all of our employee bargaining units, all of the executive and administrative staff, and all who have pitched in to quickly pivot to virtual learning and work environments. I am truly inspired and awed. It is a real testament to the talent, fierce dedication and will of this organization to serve and educate students."
Chancellor Rodriguez announced also today that the District is significantly expanding the line-up of classroom subjects available now for students completely FREE via NetTutor online.
Subjects now offered include Accounting, Administrative of Justice, Anatomy and Physiology, Anthropology, Astronomy, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Child Development, Communications and Speech, Computer Science and IT, Economics, English and Literature, ESL, Finance, French, FYE & College Student Success, Geology, German, History, Human Geography, Italian, Logic, Math (Algebra, Basic Math and Pre-Calculus), Math (Calculus and above), Math (Statistics and Probability), Music, Nursing and Health, Philosophy, Physical Geography, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Spanish and Writing.
Tutoring subjects depend on what classes each college offers its students. The colleges include Los Angeles City College, East Los Angeles College, Los Angeles Harbor College, Los Angeles Mission College, Los Angeles Pierce College, Los Angeles Southwest College, Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, Los Angeles Valley College and West Los Angeles College.
Other Important Reminders for All Students:
• The colleges remain physically closed, but open online! There are no in-person student services available at the colleges, except for DSPS by scheduled appointment only.
• All Student Services are online, including Financial Aid, DSPS/OSS, EOP&S, Admissions & Records, International Student Center and Counseling that respond to questions using instant messaging with virtual chat on your student portal.
• Student Help Desk Available. If students need password, login or navigation help on the student portal, MyCollege.laccd.edu, call the toll free number at (844) 695-2223, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Summer Session is just around the corner and it will be all online! Stay enrolled for this important term. More details soon about registration schedules for students
If students have not done so already, all LACCD students are advised to click on the "Getting Started" link at https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-18585-getting-started-with-canvas-as-a-student and to also review the online student guide for Canvas at https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-10701-canvas-student-guide-table-of-contents.
The California Community College's California Virtual Campus-Online Education Initiative (OEI) is covering the NetTutor costs while instruction is taught online due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The District is now working on plans for classes that did not convert online, with a projected resumption date of Monday, May 4. Only about 175 classes could not be shifted under the current health restrictions and social distancing orders. The Chancellor has directed an update on this action no later than April 17 and updated information shared as soon as possible.
Early Withdrawal & Refunds for Students
State authority has been granted to allow students to withdraw from classes because of the current crisis. If a student wants to withdraw, the student will receive an excused withdrawal (EW) on their transcript. The EW will not count against a student's academic progress requirements and appropriate refunds will be made. All Students are encouraged to stay enrolled, but if they decided to do so, they need to contact their education counselors and financial aid office now.
All updated information will continue to be posted on the District's website: http://www.laccd.edu/coronavirus including an updated Frequently Asked Questions and information in Spanish. Additional information is on the District's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LACCD/ and Twitter: https://twitter.com/laccd. California Community College is at: https://www.cccco.edu/About-Us/Chancellors-Office/Divisions/Communications-and-Marketing/Novel-Coronavirus
Prevention and Hygiene recommendations from LACDPH continues to be:
• If you are sick for any reason, stay home!
• Call your doctor or healthcare provider for direction
• Follow all Health Orders, including the "Safer at Home" order from state and local officials
• Symptoms to watch for include a fever over 100.4 degrees; cough or shortness of breath
• Frequent and complete hand washing for at least 20 seconds
• Stay six feet or more away from strangers and those who are ill
• Stop shaking hands with others to reduce the spread of germs
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Sneeze and cough into a tissue or your sleeve, safely throw away used tissues
Reader Comments(0)