Well, some of you may remember a long while back, I mentioned that my community college asked me to put one of our hospitality or culinary courses on-line. It's almost done! I am in the final week of my eCollege certification course, one of the district requirements. I passed my certification exam today <clearing throat> with a 93! My dept heads and dean are good to go, I have been working on it like crazy. My class will be finalized within the next 6 weeks, and should be listed for offering Spring 10! The cool thing (there are many) is that my class will be on the Iowa Consortium of Community College classes- this means that anyone can take it, and there are very few culinary/hospitality classes offered on-line ANYWHERE. In fact, I have only found a few, and most restrict admission to enrolled degree-seekers. So, that could be a boost in numbers for us. I always teach 4 sections of this class twice, and they are always full- if we go on-line, I can go three times per year, and maybe cut out a section each semester by spreading out enrollment. The other cool thing, is that I have a development clause in my contract, which gives me first right of refusal as long as the course is offered by our department. There are 2 degree programs in our dept that require my course- and an additional certificate program, so it's rock-solid in the curriculum for now. They can't hire anyone else to teach it unless I decline, so this isn't tenure- but it's the closest thing to job security as an adjunct faculty member that I have ever had- so I'm really excited. At this point, I'm the only one in culinary dept trained to put the classes on-line, and I'm one of two in the hospital dept to do it- so I'll be bustin' out at least 2 more sometime next year. If I can lock into 3 or 4 classes...that will be almost more excitement than I can take!
Jennifer, What great news! Best of luck with the classes. Are you still saving for HEX or are you now contemplating a degree in instructional design(or related)?
>> I know for sure I'm not going down the education road- I had considered the WNMU ed technology program when I first finished my BA, but that's not where I want to head. HEX is on the back burner- there is a big part of me that wants to sign up right now! Today! But I can't justify the cost. Maybe when I'm old and the kids are out....LOL. I'll have 20 years in my CC position at the end of Fall 2011, so I'm considering either retiring or taking advantage of teaching online while I pursue a different career. I'm enrolling in a few undergrad science classes this fall for a few hundred bucks- if I do well, I have my sights on an accelerated BSN program. I know that seems a little side-tracked, but there are 2 things in this world that I'm obsessed about- culinary arts and midwifery. So, while I don't talk about it much here, it's always been a "dream" of mine. Wow- that went off topic!
Since we are sidetracked, the BSN route is a good one. I have noticed a good number of DL nursing Doctorates are showing up so it could be a good academic as well as career move. I'm completely with you on the cost. Best of luck and keep us posted.
Awesome news, good luck! I'll second the nursing route...that's one of the most in-demand professions now, and it's only going to get better...or worse, depending on your viewpoint.
Congratulation! It's also my dream to teach subjects in hospitality & tourism. I have been working as a tour guide in Vietnam for 8 years & am going to finish my MBA course from Columbia Southern University.
Sounds great. With your background, you'll be an excellent online instructor. And if you get to teach the classes you develop, with some job security, all the better! I love teaching online, as I don't have to leave my kids in the evening. We all sit and study together.
