WNCC 2010 Self-Study Report - Western Nebraska Community ...

training session to learn the SI method of teaching other students how to master content through
organizational and study skills.
Presently, Supplemental Instruction is offered in nine courses per semester. Since its inception in
the 2004-2005 academic year, the SI program has served 955 students and recorded over 8,930
hours of out-of-class study sessions to assist students in mastering content. On average, WNCC
students who attend SI sessions earn a final mean course grade .5 to 1.0 higher than students who
do not take advantage of the sessions. On the End-of-Year Survey administered during the spring
term of 2008, just over 77% of students who returned the survey gave the SI program a superior
rating (RR 90) .
Applied Technologies Building
The 39,793-square foot Applied Technologies building has a computer lab which provides ten
computers for student use and classrooms used as study and resource rooms, in addition to
garage bays, automotive body-work stalls, and a paint booth. Currently, the facility meets the
needs of WNCC’s students, but with changes to the allocation of Perkins funds and the possible
shortfall in state aid, the Chair of the Division of Applied Technologies thinks that it may become
difficult to continue to match student needs in programs that are typically driven by changes in
technology and equipment. Supplies and equipment have previously been available, but
replacement of the expensive equipment will be an item to address in the future. Below are some
of the specific subject areas in which instruction is offered:
Welding
The Welding emphasis area provides opportunities for enhanced student learning through its
facilities and resources. Several improvements have been made recently, such as new cement
block welding booths and new "green" lighting installed over the shop area. In the welding
classroom, a new overhead projector and computer lab with 12 work stations have also contributed
to improved student learning because of the increased access to welding software and DVD
training videos. Software for the welding computer lab now includes a welding database, and
instructors can use the software to quiz the students and score tests.
Automotive Technology
The Automotive Technology emphasis area offered as an option through the Division of Applied
Technologies provides Professional Skills awards (6 to 12 credits each), a Certificate (32 credits),
a Diploma (47 credits), and an AOS degree (67 credits). The awards work like steps on a ladder;
as more automotive and general education classes are completed, students can move up the
ladder, accumulating hours that lead to the attainment of higher-level credentials. In any given
year, about 50% to 75% of the enrollees are taking dual-credit classes through an area high
school, resulting in a large number of Professional Skills awards being earned each year. There
are usually several farm or ranch students who return to agricultural-related jobs better prepared to
fix and maintain vehicles and equipment.
The Automotive Technology area has successfully received National Automotive Technicians
Education Foundation (NATEF) certification for the last 20 years, and all instructors are currently
ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified in the areas they teach, one being Master Certified.
All instructors have postsecondary education training ranging from a two-year degree to master’s
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