LOWELL — Middlesex Community College partnered with nonprofit Community Teamwork of Lowell to transition a course to a virtual platform, allowing students to pursue the course remotely amid the coronavirus pandemic.
When it came to transitioning the Crucial Conversations course to a virtual platform, the college collaborated with CTI and adjunct professor Laura Kangas to format the class to the web-based video conferencing tool Zoom, according to a MCC press release.
In the course — for directors, managers and supervisors — Kangas helps students learn the necessary skills to engaging in difficult conversations that could be emotional and high stakes, the release states.
Although the course covers sensitive topics — and CTI employees are expected to take the course in-person — CTI Human Resources Director Lisa Wholey said feedback from the class was positive and Middlesex “didn’t miss a beat.”
“We count on Middlesex and feel fortunate to have them as a partner because they listen to what our needs are and to what’s going on,” Wholey said. “It’s been great. The facilitator was able to make it like they were almost in the classroom.”
The remote format allows Kangas and the 21-person class to connect with each other in the larger group, have breakout rooms for small-group discussions, play videos and use the whiteboard feature. The conversations have been rewarding, Kangas said.
“Being able to talk to another human being in a very protected, calm and relaxed atmosphere for two hours was very special,” Kangas said. “Students were amazed by how intimate it was. Even though you’re on a computer, the conversations were amazing and people really opened up.”
Wholey and Kangas agreed this time of working or being at home during the pandemic is an opportunity for employees to work on professional development.
“The curriculum is really tailored to what’s going on at this time,” Wholey said. “The instructor used examples of working from home and what kind of conversations come up. She made an adjustment to the curriculum so that it was relevant and timely.”
For Kangas, being part of a class — and having access to other people via a remote service like Zoom — helps foster community, despite being away from the office.
“The students are really dedicated to learning everything they can and being the best they can be,” Kangas said. “Even in these worst of times, people are still working hard to do everything they can to learn all the skills they can to be a better contributor.”
For more information about MCC’s professional development courses, contact Corporate Education and Training Program Manager Lisa Tuzzolo at tuzzolol@middlesex.mass.edu or 978-656-3109.
Follow Aaron Curtis on Twitter @aselahcurtis
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