SSCC library uses technology to reach out to high schools

       In today’s tough economic climate, it’s difficult for schools to fund travel for students. But technology can bridge that gap between high schools and higher education.

      Louis Mays, librarian at Southern State Community College, has been using technology to reach out to local high school students participating in the college’s dual enrollment option which allows them to earn college credit while still in high school.

      Such students taking English composition at Zane Trace High School in Ross County communicate regularly with Louis using a virtual chat, conference and video platform known as Pronto from the software company Wimba.

      “It’s wonderful to know that the students taking part in the Southern State program will be able to access college and library resources without leaving the confines of their own school,” said Laurel Marion, media specialist at Zane Trace. “Louis is able to guide our students through Southern State and OhioLINK research databases. Individual guidance, through ‘Ask a Librarian,’ is also offered through email and Pronto chat. Our high school students have valuable exposure to the technology unlike most incoming college freshmen. This will allow them a successful transition into college.”

      A collaboration between Southern State Community College, Shawnee State University, and college-bound seniors at Manchester High School in Adams County, is also provided virtually using Wimba Classroom. The Manchester students have been provided instruction on college-level research and using the INFOhio project calculator.

      “When I first approached college librarians in our area, my goal was to find one important piece of information, that is, to find out what college librarians want students from my library to already know when they arrive at the college library,” said Ted Gifford, school librarian for Manchester H.S.

      “After consulting Louis at Southern State, it became apparent that rather than taking students to the college library or having him visit our school in person, the ideal way to have him and other college officials talk to my students was by using Wimba, a web-based virtual classroom platform provided by Southern State,” he said.

      “This was a big hit with the students, who were actively engaged in the conversations with the presenters and were excited by the idea that we were in Manchester, one presenter was working from home, and one presenter was at a high school in Cleveland. It was quite exciting to see their reactions,” Gifford concluded.

      Following an eTech Conference presentation that demonstrated an example of collaboration between the schools using this technology, Dawson Little, a senior at Manchester, was especially moved by the experience.

      “That was great!” he said. “Hard to believe that people in three places can get together on the Internet like that. When are we doing this again?”

      Information about preparing Ohio learners for success as they transition to college can be found at this INFOhio site: www.infohio.org/PreparingOhioLearners.html. INFOhio is a network supporting school libraries in Ohio.

      “As more colleges are teaching dual enrollment courses on the home school site, this example of using technology to bridge the gap between college-level and high school classes will help these high school students make a smoother transition to college,” said Mays. “We are collaborating through technology with other schools in our area as well.”

      For more information about transitioning to college, or collaboration between K-12 and higher education, contact Mays at 937-695-0307, ext. 3580, or drop him a line at lmays@sscc.edu.