Nov 01, 2021

Great Bend community college considering subscription-based learning

Posted Nov 01, 2021 2:30 PM

By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post

GREAT BEND — Barton Community College Vice President of Instruction Elaine Simmons said life is all about subscriptions nowadays. You can buy monthly subscriptions to receive beard oil, wine or meals. Education is developing its version of subscription purchasing with a new approach to learning.

The college in Great Bend is considering subscription-based learning where students purchase a set amount of coursework for an allotted time.

"We're going to chew this up and spit it out," said Simmons. "Then we'll chew it up and spit it out again. If we get to a point where we feel like we really understand it, we'll bring student services and administration in to talk more about it."

Students would have the opportunity to go through coursework as much as they can and others can take their time and purchase classes when they have time. This method could potentially alleviate having to pay tuition for an entire semester if your availability is less.

"We think it will impact almost every element of the college," said Simmons. "There is a lot to it."

Simmons said Barton faculty would have to get behind the idea to determine how they would manage the new style.