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Darrin Clark helping to redesign developmental math courses at Southeast
Darrin F. Clark, an assistant professor at Southeast Kentucky Community amp; Technical
College, is in the process of redesigning developmental math courses using the Pearson
MyMathLab online software.
The task began last year when he attended several conferences and workshops in regard
to the creation and redesign of courses. He explained that the college is currently
providing the MAT 55 pre-algebra class through the pilot phase and creation of MAT 65 and MAT 120 are currently underway, to be completed in time for the
onset of the spring 2012 semester.
Clark, in his fifth year at SKCTC, noted that the process began last winter with a
teleconference with faculty from Cleveland State Community College concerning course
redesign. He then represented Southeast during a three-day meeting held in Orlando.
At that event, a panel of educators who had been doing similar work were eager to
discuss experiences with redesigning math courses taught at their prospective schools.
The panel included educators from community colleges as well as four-year colleges
and universities, and they shared data concerning improved student success, ways of
lowering costs for students as well as ways to reduce costs for institutions that
wish to put into action the redesign model.
In early springtime 2011, Clark, along with others from SKCTC including Jenny Stewart,
Travis Cox, Kathy Newman, Erin Wilson and Elana Scopa, took part in a workshop held
at Jefferson Community amp; Technical College in Louisville. They were there with
others from the Kentucky Community amp; Technical College System and reviewed data
from the Webex and Pearson representatives relative to getting the new courses established.
Clark acknowledged that the MAT 55 pre-algebra course is being offered this term with
work progressing toward bringing additional redesigned developmental mathematics courses
on line for the arrival of the spring semester. SKCTC currently offers course sections
on the Whitesburg, Harlan and Cumberland campuses with Stewart, Cox and Clark serving
as instructors.
Since the fall semester began our work on the course shell for MAT 65, basic algebra,
is advancing rapidly and nearing completion, said Clark. By this spring, all courses
will be up and running, aiding students in their pursuit of understanding and grasping
mathematics while progressing toward their degrees.