Northwest Florida State College personnel have been working diligently to prepare for campus re-opening and are striving toward a safe, healthy campus environment so that we can continue offering high-quality education and fulfilling our mission of improving lives on the Emerald Coast. The safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty and staff is our TOP PRIORITY. Working closely with our local Department of Health, the Florida Department of Education and other state government agencies, the College has developed an Opening for Opportunity Plan designed to increase students’ access to high quality instruction and wrap-around support services that facilitate high rates of student success.
Decisions made for the Fall 2020 term move the institution forward with safety as the top priority and present an expanded, more diverse slate of online and hybrid course offerings. This shift toward online and hybrid classes allows the College to reduce the number of students on campus and to support social distancing among those in courses that require campus presence (critical infrastructure, science labs, etc.). Students who attend class in person will be required to follow safety protocols while on campus, which include students and faculty wearing face coverings during class meetings and while in transit on campus.
The updated schedule will include the following instructional methods:
• Online: NWF Online provides optimal flexibility for students to log in at any time each week to complete classwork, connect with their instructor and participate with their peers.
• Online – Live: NWF Online—Live is a live-streamed class with scheduled Zoom meetings to meet with the instructor and your classmates each week during traditional class meeting times.
• Hybrid: Hybrid courses have in-person class meetings with social distancing and a reduced number of students at each class meeting. Hybrid classes are supplemented with online instruction and resources so that students take half of the course in-person on campus and the other half independently. The Hybrid delivery mode combines the best of NWF’s traditional classrooms with the greater flexibility of the online learning environment.
• Traditional: Select classes in clock-hour and critical infrastructure programs, as well as select science labs and other classes with required hands-on components that cannot be taught online will continue to be delivered in person through traditional methods. Safety protocols will be followed in accordance with the latest recommendations from health officials.
In all instructional methods, students will participate in learning activities, discussion and peer-to-peer engagement. NWFSC faculty are committed to delivering high-quality instruction that expands students’ opportunities for success. The Learning Commons provides library and learning resources services, free tutoring and testing complete with virtual options for connecting to resources and staff for additional support. The Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning is ready to assist students with technology, Blackboard and accommodations support. Our Student Success Navigators are standing by to answer any questions you may have regarding your class schedule for Fall 2020.
Your future begins here at Northwest Florida State College. The fall term begins August 19 and enrollment is underway. We encourage you to visit www.nwfsc.edu or call 850-502-2895 to learn more about our programs.
