Nov 28, 2018 | Intercom, Student News
November 27, 2018
On Tuesday afternoon, Alex Bernier toured the length and breadth of Africa, from Egypt’s pyramids to the east-central Serengeti renowned for wildlife to South Africa’s Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years in prison. And he did it all within his two-hour World Cultures class, inside NMC’s Beckett Building, simply by putting on a virtual reality headset.
“It’s fantastic,” Bernier said of the technology, marveling at the improvement from elementary school, when his teachers rolled in TVs on carts.
Students download Google Expeditions, a free app, to their phones, and place the phones into the headsets, which offer a three-dimensional perspective — standing on the edge of Zambia’s Victoria Falls, for instance, or in the sightlines of a gorilla in Serengeti National Park. Instructor Jim Bensley serves as the guide, choosing where students will explore. This week’s whirlwind African tour also showed them the Namibian desert and slave monuments in Senegal.
“We’re trying to stay on the cutting edge of content delivery by using technology to enhance the subject matter,” Bensley said. “We use it to enhance that learning, to immerse the students into a landscape where those cultures exist.”
Students were unanimously enthusiastic.
“It’s pretty neat to see the places we’re learning about,” said Kaylee Annis.
“It gives you more of the experience you would get if you went to that place,” said Sam Wilkinson.
At $15 per headset, virtual reality is also a cost-effective way to achieve NMC’s strategic goal of ensuring that NMC learners are prepared for success in a global society and economy. Bensley has also used them to “take” World Cultures students to the Islamic world and Latin America. In his Introduction to Humanities class, he’s showed students the Baroque art and architecture of Europe.
Debuting this semester, it’s too soon to say if the headsets are improving academic performance. But Bensley said student engagement is high.
“It’s a great active learning tool. They enjoy looking around themselves,” Bensley said. While he guides the tours, students have a 360-degree field of vision and can zoom in to particular things that interest them.
“It gives you the freedom to look around,” agreed student Lucy Teubner.
For at least one student, it was also a preview. NMC is offering a study abroad trip to South Africa next spring, which will include World Cultures student Sunny Charpentier. It’s one of seven experiences scheduled for 2019.
Nov 26, 2018 | HR Corner, Intercom
NMC’s Human Resources department has posted a 1/2 time position for Director of the International Affairs Forum (IAF). NMC and the IAF have been working during the last year on an organizational merger that would formalize our support for the program. Funding for this program will come from a combination of IAF funds and NMC’s Strategic Fund over the next three years as the program’s business model develops under this new format. The new position will report to the Vice President for Lifelong and Professional Learning during this development period.
This is a great opportunity to continue the growth of NMC’s global initiatives. Please contact Marguerite Cotto at mcotto@nmc.edu with any questions. Learn more about and apply for the position here.
Nov 26, 2018 | Intercom, Media Mentions
The following college events and stories have appeared in the media in the past week. We want to share your media involvement too. Please send information about your NMC-related interview or appearance to publicrelations@nmc.edu. If possible, please include a link to the piece and information about where and when it was used.
(Please note access to some stories may be limited by paywalls set up by the media outlet. This includes the Traverse City Record-Eagle, which limits free clicks to five per month. You may also read Record-Eagle articles in the print edition at the Osterlin Library.
Bids approved for NMC’s Innovation Center
Record-Eagle, Nov. 21
Northwestern Michigan College One of 22 Schools to Receive Grant to Prevent Sexual Assault
TV 9 & 10, Nov. 20
NMC eliminates two certificates; Programs covered by other offerings
Record-Eagle, Nov. 25
‘Clear and convincing’ call troubles sex assault-reporting advocates
Record-Eagle, Nov. 25
NMC students distribute truck full of food to pantries following month-long food drive
UpNorthLive.com, Nov. 19
Northwestern Michigan College Students Pass Out Thanksgiving Meal Kits to Local Families
TV 9 & 10, Nov. 19
Nov 26, 2018 | Announcements & News, Intercom
#GivingTuesday is the global day of giving back that takes place annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. On Tuesday, November 27, the NMC Foundation will be encouraging alumni and community members to make a gift to their passion at NMC.
You can promote your program or passion by sharing our emails and Facebook posts with your audiences and asking them to give to your favorite NMC initiative! Be sure to “Like” the NMC Foundation on Facebook to share posts. Please contact Annual Giving Specialist, Katharine Zurek, with any questions at 5-1030 or kzurek@nmc.edu.
Nov 20, 2018 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College’s performance ensembles will present the following holiday-themed concerts.
- Friday, November 30 NMC Chamber Singers and NMC Canticum Novum present “Sounds of the Season.” 7:30 p.m., Central United Methodist Church. Suggested donations of $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors will be taken at the door. (231) 995-1338.
- Saturday, December 1 Winter Jazz Ensemble Showcase, 7:30 p.m., Milliken Auditorium. Tickets $12 for adults, $7 for students and seniors, available from MyNorthTickets.com and at the door. (800) 836-0717
- Saturday, December 15, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday December 16, 3 p.m. NMC’s Grand Traverse Chorale and Children’s Choirs join the Traverse Symphony Orchestra for “Home for the Holidays.” Corson Auditorium, Interlochen. MyNorthTickets.com. (231) 947-7120
- Tuesday, December 18 Holiday music for band featuring the NMC Concert Band. 7:30 p.m., Milliken Auditorium. Tickets $12 for adults, $7 for students and seniors, available from MyNorthTickets.com and at the door. (800) 836-0717
Release date: november 23, 2018
For more information:
Jeff Cobb
NMC Director of Music Programs
jecobb@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1338
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY NOTICE
Northwestern Michigan College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, height, weight, marital status or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. nmc.edu/non-discrimination
