In conjunction with National Distance Learning Week, LLCC observed the 20th anniversary of the first online class offered at LLCC.
“Two decades ago, LLCC took a bold step into the world of education via the Internet,” said Dr. Charlotte Warren, president of LLCC, at a ceremony yesterday. “One online composition class in the fall of 1997 has grown into more than 85,000 online class enrollments over the past two decades. Last year, 36 percent of LLCC students took at least one course online, and more than 1,500 students took all of their courses online.”
She congratulated those who helped the college reach this milestone. “We anticipate online education will continue to grow and evolve, and our outstanding online faculty and staff will be right there on the cutting edge.”
Becky Parton, dean of academic innovation and e-learning at LLCC, described the beginnings of online education at the college. “We celebrate the pioneering spirit of former LLCC Professor Lynn Pfannkuche, who developed and taught the first online course at the college, Introduction to Composition. That course has seen many changes as technology advancements have created a more dynamic online teaching and learning environment.”
Dr. Jason Dockter, professor of English, displayed images of Professor Pfannkuche’s first online course compared to his own today, demonstrating the advancements of online course design and development over the past 20 years.
For its 20th anniversary celebration of online learning, LLCC Academic Innovation and eLearning is releasing a series of web videos featuring online faculty members that will also be shared on social media. The third in this series is below, featuring Ashley Green, professor of English. NOTE: Use a browser other than Internet Explorer to watch this video (https://youtu.be/Q2RvFajQVB8). Watch for the next video tomorrow!