(Hammond and Westville, IN) – While higher education institutions are adapting to the reality of the global pandemic, professors like Purdue University Northwest’s Beth Vottero are planning the most successful path forward for their students.

 

Vottero, an associate professor and Nurse Educator Program Coordinator at Purdue Northwest (PNW), will offer lectures, small group meetings, larger class discussions, and breakout rooms during class sessions this fall – all delivered via the Zoom online platform.

 

“Students need to feel connected to the professor, their classmates, and the university,” Vottero said. “By having live class sessions online, I can interact with students and respond to questions quickly and easily. This fits with the content of my courses.”

 

Vottero is among hundreds of PNW professors who have worked hard this summer to redesign courses to ensure students have the types of engaging learning experiences that are hallmarks of a Purdue Northwest education. PNW is planning proactively to keep students connected to their faculty and classmates while studying on campus, online, or in a combination of face-to-face and virtual instruction.

 

“Our faculty members have a passion for teaching and know that engagement is key to student success. They are working tirelessly this summer to design engaging learning experiences to be offered in a variety of instructional formats,” said Emily Hixon, director of PNW’s Center for Faculty Excellence and a professor of Education