How Real Customers Use Class to Increase Equity for Learners

Improving access and outcomes for all participants in our educational systems in K-12 and higher education means that we are considering online learners as part of the “all.” As we continue to make progress in identifying and closing gaps in accessibility, resources, and instructional quality and support, there is an opportunity to identify and address known gaps between the online and in-person learning experiences. Class has a company and product focus of transforming virtual classrooms into inclusive, interactive spaces where every student, regardless of their background or circumstances, can thrive. This is not just a vision; it is a reality evidenced by the success stories of our users. Here are three real-life experiences from Class customers who have used our next generation virtual classroom to quantifiably enhance equity for both students and staff.

Supporting a diverse population with an equitable online learning environment

As the only community college in Utah, Salt Lake Community College serves students from all kinds of backgrounds. “Our students are generally single mothers, veterans, students who are first-time, or first-generation college students who are coming to our online courses because they know SLCC reflects who they are. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at SLCC is because of the student populations who attend here. It’s part of our mission and values,” says Gavin Harper, Director of Online, eLearning Services & CBE at SLCC.

To support their diverse student population through the pandemic, SLCC switched to Class. But the institution chose to stay with Class once they realized how valuable and equitable the online learning tool was for their students.

“Online synchronous courses really offer accessibility and equity of experience,” begins Corey Stevens, Assistant Director of Teaching and Learning Technology at SLCC. “We can educate more students better because we have tools like Class to make that education better for them. So really it’s an important part of the toolbox in all of the different modalities that we have.”

Read their full success story here.

Expanding student access to qualified teachers despite the shortage

Classrooms for Colorado LIVE is an online pilot program designed to support districts across the Centennial state in need of highly-qualified math teachers, with the goal of minimizing the impact of the ongoing teacher shortage. In this unique learning model, students attend their brick-and-mortar school and a CC-LIVE instructor logs on to teach the curriculum remotely while a “classroom supporter”—a member of the school’s educational community—oversees the in-person student experience, ensuring a smooth class period with maximized learning time and prompt attention to safety, technical, and social-emotional needs.

“We are bringing live, virtual teachers to in-person classrooms all over the state of Colorado to make sure students are getting the highest quality teacher possible,” explains Roxie Mitchell, Developer and Coordinator of CC-LIVE. “All across the country we have a teacher shortage,” adds Nicolette DiPietro, Program Researcher. “Our pilot is focused on solving the teacher vacancy issue.”

“Class offers some modern working conditions for our teachers to live in the communities and places they want to, but be able to teach students anywhere in the state,” shares Roxie. “It also gives students equitable access to education. So just because they live perhaps in a rural area or somewhere they can’t get a teacher, this allows the students to be able to get a really highly qualified math teacher in their classroom when they need it.”

Read their full success story here.

Preparing students for a successful career in a hybrid world

By adding Class to their technology stack, the Centre for Higher Education Studies delivers a more equitable, accessible, and engaging hybrid learning experience that ultimately prepares both on-site and online students for their professional futures in a hybrid world. “The main benefit of Class for us is that it gives students in the classroom and students online an experience that’s almost as if they were there in the room together,” says Stewart Milner, Foundation Principal at CHES. “And that’s what we’re really pleased about: they have that flexibility, and it doesn’t matter whether they’re online or on site. They’re learning how to communicate and collaborate in a hybrid model now, which will help them in their futures.”

“The pandemic showed that isolation is actually a real issue and that meaningful interaction is what’s important for student success,” adds Sapphira Talbot-Strettle, Learning Specialist at CHES. “Using Class for interactive lessons and HyFlex learning means that our students get to know each other quickly, interact together, and form a bond really quickly. That enhances their learning of their subject and gives them confidence going into university courses, into the workforce, and in interacting in the wider world,” continues Sapphira.

“The key thing about any technology for education is it’s about how it allows for greater access and how it allows us as teachers to deliver our programs in an optimum way,” concludes Sapphira. “At CHES, we want the learning experience to be enhanced for all students, and for teachers to have confidence that the right software can enhance what we can teach and to whom we can teach. Class enables every child to matter regardless of where they’re living, reduces the unfortunate inequity that exists, and gives access to everyone.”

Read their full success story here.

Ready to learn more about Class?

Reach out to a Class team member today, and we’ll show you how to start increasing equity for your staff and learners.