LAKELAND - More than 1,200 full-time Portage College students could be returning to in-school classes — or at least have that option — as the regional post-secondary institution responds to the latest provincial government COVID-19 update.
Late last week Alberta's Minister of Advanced Education Demetrios Nicolaides announced plans to see all 26 of Alberta's post-secondary institutions offer in-person learning as part of the 2021-22 learning year.
"I encourage all post-secondary institutions, students and families to prepare for a full return to on-campus learning this September," he said last Thursday, explaining that pandemic measures will still remain as important parts of the plan. "As we plan to transition back to in-person learning, the safety of students, staff and faculty will be our top priority."
Good to have a plan
Portage College President and CEO Nancy Broadbent says the announcement is a sign of things returning to how they were more than a year ago before the global pandemic forced changes to the way students were offered their community learning. But she also says the announcement comes as some of the changes forced by the pandemic have become more accepted by students.
Of the 1,200 full-course students in Portage's seven campus locations across the Lakeland, as well as a similar number of casual students taking individual classes, Broadbent says recent survey show many prefer the freedoms offered by virtual learning.
"For example, we have 16 per cent of our student body as single-parents, and we've heard that many of them would prefer to stay with virtual learning as it gives them freedoms," said Broadbent, adding that "a significant number" of students from all demographics are telling faculty they have adapted to online learning.
More blended learning anticipated
Portage officials say the response from students to virtual learning will likely mean that online portions of classes may continue even as provincial restrictions are lifted. Broadbent said online and virtual classes — blended learning — was taking place in some programs prior to the pandemic. With all classes going to virtual learning for the last year, she sees an opportunity to bring in more of the blended structure. The advantage of being a smaller regional institution is that changes and challenges can be addressed quickly. Calling it a "nimble" institution, Broadbent expects to see more changes and unique variations taking place.
"We are going through program by program to see what it is going to look like," she said, underlining the continued importance placed on in-person learning. "Virtual learning is more the way our business is going — but certainly it won't be fully online."
An example of the opportunities found with new online learning is that the virtual expansion of programming has helped to increase enrolment and bring awareness to some college offerings.
"For some people, it was a challenge to access a program before, but now with virtual learning, it opens it up to more," she said.
Moving forward in the weeks ahead, college and provincial officials will be watching the progress of pandemic measures, and the continuing rollout of coronavirus vaccines. Broadbent says the challenges of the restrictions over the last year have taught staff and students a great deal as they go forward.
“We will keep what we have learned through this pandemic and look to implement changes that have proven positive for students. We also look to the future to provide choice to students as we know many have appreciated the ability to study from home," said Broadbent, stressing that all decisions will be made with the health and safety of students and staff at the forefront. “Everyone’s safety is our top priority and the return to campus will comply with public health measures that are in place and with the guidance from the Ministry of Advanced Education.”
Registration for many of the college's full-time programming began in January. Broadbent said enrolment has been a little slower than normal due to uncertainties, but she hopes the commitment to continued learning — in-class, virtual and blended — by the institution and the province will increase the registrations.
