Monthly Archives: November 2020

Automotive Technology Beta Tests Lab Cameras and Zoom Rooms

Auto Tech Zoom Lab

 

 

Under pre-Covid circumstances, Automotive students would work side by side taking turns performing lab exercises.  Automotive program coordinator Tom Broxholm had an idea last May. How does the Automotive department incorporate team labs while observing social distancing?  Tom Broxholm worked with Rich Tidd from IT services to answer this question.

 

Digital cameras were mounted on articulating arms over each work bench. Students were placed into Zoom Rooms and the lab camera was set to display in the Zoom session the entire time.  The students performed the lab using the cameras and wireless headsets to communicate with their partner who was located in the other room watching and discussing the lab.  After a series of exercises, (approximately every 30 – 40 minutes) the two students swapped positions.  Lab sheets had to be modified to reflect the new format with students swapping positions. Tools, laptops and headsets were all disinfected before each swap.

 

Auto Tech Zoom TestProfessor Broxholm said the lab presented a technology learning curve and some challenges for the instructor and the students, but overall it seemed everything worked well. Professor Broxholm also stated that while this setup may not work for all types of automotive labs, but it appears that lab exercises performed over a work bench seemed to work well.  Professor Broxholm also noted that if a student was ill or unable to make it to class one day they could still attend a limited lab through the Zoom connection. As the Zoom host, the professor was able to check in with each team and add instruction over the Zoom connection, minimizing close contact instruction between the professor and the students. Program coordinator Tom Broxholm also stated that the Automotive program has been meeting with students on campus in a hybrid mode since last June and (knock on wood) there have been no reported Covid-19 illnesses from an Automotive student or instructor.

Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) Faculty Choices Have Student Impact

Zero Text Book Cost FlyerFall 2020 has the largest offering yet of Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) and low-cost Open Educational Resources (OER) classes at Skyline College! 78 Faculty ZTC Champions have implemented digitally available no-cost Creative Commons licensed and library electronic resources in their classes. Together, they are offering 160 $0-cost-to-students classes and 30-classes using a low-cost required course resource alongside a no-cost OER textbook. From Spring 2018 through Fall 2020, Faculty ZTC Champions have ensured Skyline Students kept $3,846,434.69 in their pockets!

By choosing digitally available, no-cost OER & ZTC course materials ZTC Champions:

  • Save students money now!
  • Ensure students have access to materials on day 1 of class!
  • Ensure access long after semester ends!
  • Protect student privacy and data!

Your textbook and course material choices have a direct impact on students’ lives!

Ready to choose ZTC? Begin with our OER by Subject Research Guide, https://guides.skylinecollege.edu/oersbysubject, or email the ZTC Team at skylineztc@smccd.edu.

Looking for ZTC and OER classes? They are searchable in WebSchedule!

Article by Ame Maloney

Classified Senate Student Scholarship Drive

Scholarship Drive ThermometerScholarship Drive FlyerThe Classified Senate Student five-week Scholarship Drive is underway this month of November. If you have not done so already, please consider helping us to reach our goal of $1,500.00. We are asking a one-time donation of $25.00 (minimum). We understand that some of us can offer more than others right now, however any amount counts – our goal is to lessen the financial burden for our students. All those who donate $25 or more will be entered to win a Chromebook from the Skyline College Bookstore. Each $25 donation = 1 ticket in the raffle prize drawing.

 

If you are able to donate towards to our 2nd Annual Skyline College Classified Senate Student Scholarship to help provide students a better access to higher education, please DONATE ONLINE.

Your generous contribution to support our students is greatly appreciated!

Questions? Contact Sherrie Prasad or Belinda Chan.

Article by Sherrie Prasad

Study Abroad Launches New Look for Website

Study Abroad New LookThe SMCCCD Study Abroad Program is excited to launch a new look for its website! The homepage now features student story videos, testimonials, and links to various resources including scholarships and resources for diversity and identity abroad. We invite you to take a look at smccd.edu/studyabroad.

We would like to thank Soe Hlaing, Kimiko Petsche, and Joseph Jaballah for their work on the page.

SMCCCD Study Abroad is the district-wide study abroad program housed in the Global Learning Programs and Services Division at Skyline College.  For more information about studying or interning abroad, faculty teach abroad opportunities, community travel for lifelong learners, visiting international faculty presenters and student scholarship opportunities, please contact studyabroad@smccd.edu. You can also learn more by visiting the SMCCD Study Abroad Facebook page or Instagram page @smcccd_study_abroad

 

Article by Stephanie Wells

Small Business Symposium: Lessons in Adapting Day 1 Recap

Business Symposium GraphicThe Bay Area Entrepreneur Center kicked-off its 3-day virtual conference, the Small Business Symposium: Lessons in Adapting.  The Symposium was held from October 31st through November 2nd and featured keynote speakers, workshops, local and small business owner interviews, student interest panels and resources from community leaders.  The goal of the Symposium was to explore the challenges our small businesses are facing, in navigating the impacts of the pandemic, with a focus on access to valuable resources and online tools.  The Symposium allowed the BAEC to highlight our new Micro Grants Program as part of the Small Business Recovery & Assistance Program, an innovative approach to helping businesses adapt operations and marketing strategies.  The BAEC will be offering 16 small San Bruno-based businesses grants of $3000 each to assist with business expenses and improvements.  The Symposium was free to attend, featured virtual door prizes and was attended by business owners here in San Bruno, throughout the county and the entire Bay Area.

A special thank you to all of our attendees, guest speakers and presenters, our students and to everyone behind the scenes who helped make the Symposium such a success.  We thank the San Bruno Community Foundation for the supporting this program with funding.

For more information, connect with us: baec@smccd.edu

Article and Image by Ling Chien

$3,000 for San Bruno Businesses-Last Info Session Nov. 17th!

Micro Grants FlyerThe Bay Area Entrepreneur Center of Skyline College is offering micro grants of $3000, to 16 San Bruno based businesses to help aid in their recovery from the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Grant applications open on November 20th and close on December 4th. The Small Business Recovery & Assistance Program is here to help businesses with coaching, workshops, business tools and now with funding. All applicants must attend a Micro Grant Info Session to be eligible. Our last Info Session will be held on Tuesday November 17th at 6pm. Go to our Eventbrite Page to register.

 

 

These grants are made possible with funding from the San Bruno Community Foundation. For more information, contact the BAEC at baec@smccd.edu.

 

 

Micro Grants Flyer - Spanish

Article by Gisel Martin

Images by Olivia Vialau

Internship Opportunities

We understand that many students and our community members may have lost their job due to the  unprecedented times of the COVID-19 Pandemic. It is our commitment to continue to offer information regarding paid internships and quality job opportunities that are available along with support in design or update of a resume, preparing for an interview and expanding one’s network to secure employment during these uncertain times.  The Career Readiness & Job Placement Team looks forward to doing all we can to ensure students and our community members have what they need to get a job and continue to offer remote services and resources while the shelter-in-place order is in effect.  If one of the jobs shared does not meet your needs or interests please complete this form and we will reach out to you directly to assist!  Please stay safe. 

Expand your network in ways that will lead to your dream job. The Career Readiness & Job Placement team is excited to share the following paid internship opportunities with you. Check them out—

Article by Alexa Moore

Job Opportunities

We understand that many students and our community members may have lost their job due to the unprecedented times of the COVID-19 Pandemic. It is our commitment to continue to offer information regarding paid internships and quality job opportunities that are available along with support in design or update of a resume, preparing for an interview and expanding one’s network to secure employment during these uncertain times. The Career Readiness & Job Placement Team looks forward to doing all we can to ensure students and our community members have what they need to get a job and continue to offer remote services and resources during this time. If one of the jobs shared does not meet your needs or interests please complete this form and we will reach out to you directly to assist!  Please stay safe. 

How may we assist you in landing your dream job? The Career Readiness & Job Placement team is excited to share the following job opportunities with you. Check them out—

Article by Alexa Moore

Highlights from Skyline College’s 3rd Annual UndocuWeek

Undocu Allies FlyerFrom October 19-23, Skyline College held its 3rd annual UndocuWeek of Action, this time in a virtual setting. Without tasty snacks and therapy dogs – and with the stress of the November 3 election looming – there was a decidedly more serious tone to this year’s events.

New Student Club Formed: F.I.R.E. Significantly, Skyline College students met and established a new club, FIRE – Fighting for Immigrant Rights & Equity – and elected their first president, Oliver Eliastinoco. He explained:

“More than a club, our goal is to establish real tangible resources for students at Skyline, especially as we’ve moved into a virtual environment, and to see to actively reaching and encouraging undocumented students. FIRE will be inclusive of allies, undocumented and immigrant students, working to highlight the true diversity of students on our campus living with an undocumented status  – these include Asian, Filipinx, African and Middle Eastern students as well as Latinx. These are voices not traditionally spotlighted, however these stories must be told.”

UndocuWeek Webinars – A Rich Source of Information. The California Community College (CCC) system and its partners sponsored daily webinars. Adjunct faculty member and Grove Scholars Counselor Trisha Tran shared her experience participating in a webinar for counselors.

“Things really resonated. The talk provided a gentle reminder for counselors to be active advocates for Dreamers, to be “hope drivers.” The webinar explained that the language to use with students is that their top career choice may not be available now, however, so much may change by the time they’re ready to join the workforce, it may be possible then. The webinar concluded by asking counselors and allies to decide: what actions will you take to make a difference?”

If you weren’t able to participate, all webinar recordings are available here.

Allies Came Together. At last year’s UndocuWeek, allies and students came together and built a “Wall of Support” in the Library that included personal immigration stories, students’ ICE protest posters and pictures of Skyline employees displaying “I am an unafraid educator” signs. This year, more than 25 employees posted their photo statements to create a virtual wall of support on the Dream Center’s Instagram page.

Change the Subject. If you missed the Library’s screening of Change the Subject, A Documentary about Labels, Libraries and Activism, featuring undocumented student activists at Dartmouth College, you can watch it here. The film is also available for you to show in class as long as you request permission from the filmmakers ahead of time: changethesubjectdoc@gmail.com. Stay tuned for information about future screenings by FIRE as well as the Library.

Here’s What Allies Can Do. If you’d like to become a more involved ally for our undocumented community, here are some ideas.

Thank you for your continued support!

-The Skyline College Dream Center Task Force.

Article by Jessica Silver-Sharp