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Illinois Eastern Community Colleges (IECC) is pleased to announce the receipt of a $719,381 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture, aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for students across its multi-college system. The grant will fund the creation of 12 state-of-the-art Synchronous Lecture Halls, designed to connect students to faculty members and educational programs at different geographic locations. As the enrollment trends in higher education continue to change, IECC views this initiative as part of its commitment to provide access to a high-quality education at any of its four college locations.
The Synchronous Lecture Halls use high-quality video conferencing technology to enable two-way communication between instructors and students. Instructors can share their lecture and interact with students in multiple locations in real time. They also have the capability to record the materials to allow their students to revisit them again as they prepare for future examinations. By leveraging this cutting-edge technology, IECC is tearing down geographical divides and providing students at all four college locations with direct access to exceptional faculty members who are experts in their fields. “The original purpose of community colleges was to make sure that residents had convenient access to a high quality post-secondary education without the need to relocate or travel long-distances,” says IECC Chancellor, Dr. Ryan Gower. “This initiative is in line with that vision. It opens access to faculty, classes, and programs that students would otherwise have to drive an hour or more to engage.” The benefits of Synchronous Lecture Halls extend beyond geographical accessibility. They foster student engagement, promote interactive learning experiences, and provide flexibility for both faculty and students.
Beyond the advantage to the students at IECC’s four colleges, another benefit of this grant is the impact on local high schools. In this round of development, IECC is collaborating with Robinson High School, Richland County High School, and Clay City High School, which will also install synchronous lecture halls on their campuses. These rooms will enable their students to access dual credit opportunities they might otherwise not have. These opportunities empower students to earn college credits while still in high school, saving them money and giving them a head start on their journey toward a college degree. Fifteen of the sixteen high schools in IECC’s district participated in an earlier opportunity.
"The higher-education landscape is changing,” says Gower. “If we are truly committed to access, stewardship, and excellence, we have to pursue new ways to provide quality education. This grant and the classroom spaces it will create demonstrates our commitment to our students, our four colleges, and the communities we serve. By expanding access to education through Synchronous Lecture Halls, we are breaking down barriers and creating pathways to success for everyone." Despite the impressive technology these rooms will contain, Gower points out that they will be just one of many tools IECC uses to teach students. “The power of face-to-face teaching should not be minimized. While technology opens up many avenues for learning, it needs to be part of a comprehensive approach to teaching and learning. These rooms will be just one of many instruments in our teaching toolbox.”