Students at PennWest Edinboro and other Pennsylvania state universities will soon have a new way to expand their learning. These institutions are teaming up to offer a wider selection of courses. Thanks to a course-sharing initiative, students can now take classes from other universities without leaving their campus.
As explained by PASSHE Chancellor Christopher Fiorentino, this program will give students access to high-quality courses that may not have been available to them before. “Course sharing is about creating opportunities,” he said.
Currently, some courses are shared among universities, but this initiative aims to broaden that scope by exploring successful methods for expanding offerings. With more students enrolling in shared courses, universities can also save programs with low enrollment numbers, making classes more sustainable.
The PASSHE system is launching a pilot program to test a limited number of shared classes. Over time, they plan to add more undergraduate and graduate options, encouraging collaboration among students from different universities in the same courses. Faculty are being trained in effective online teaching strategies to improve engagement, supported by a $536,000 grant for training.
Additionally, a unified student information platform will make it easier for students to track their courses, financial aid, and progress all in one place. This digital shift aligns with current trends in education where technology enhances learning experiences.
Teaching methods are evolving as well. More than 500 PASSHE faculty members have completed training to enhance both online and in-person instruction. This training aims to boost student success and engagement, providing faculty with the latest research-based strategies.
As PASSHE collaborates with other higher education systems across the country, they are refining their course-sharing tactics. They plan to share their insights with other universities, especially those serving rural communities.
In summary, the course-sharing initiative within the Pennsylvania State System could significantly improve access to education, mixing online and traditional learning to better serve students’ needs today.
For more information about PASSHE, you can visit Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education.
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State System, PASSHE, courses offered, PennWest Edinboro, Pennsylvania, Students, high school students