BENTON TOWNSHIP — Lake Michigan College will host an open house to introduce a new model of learning for anyone interested in earning computer technology related degrees, or developing their professional tech skills.

The two-day Information Technology Open House will take place from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4 and Tuesday, Dec. 5 on LMC’s Benton Harbor campus.

At the open house, LMC will unveil its new Virtual Learning Environment model, which allows students to switch back and forth between attending classes either online or in person depending on what is most convenient for them on a given day. Open house guests will see demonstrations of the VLE in action.

LMC is one of the first colleges in the region to offer the VLE model. Pilot courses that began in 2016 have given an opportunity to attend college that may not have been available to the students before.

“VLE takes online learning to the next level by giving students the best of both worlds. Our students have attended class from hospital breakrooms, to highway truck stops – and others log on from home while their children are napping. It’s making the educational dream realistic for so many people who must juggle school with work and family responsibilities,” said LMC professor Jay Keeler.

LMC already offers close to 100 online and partially online courses, but students generally have to choose one format or the other when they register. Students with busy lives were looking for even more flexibility.

If a VLE student is struggling with a particular lesson, or just wants the networking and camaraderie of a traditional classroom experience, they can come to campus. If they have to miss class because of an erratic work schedule, or to drive a relative to a medical appointment, they don’t have to stress out and fall behind, they just catch the recorded lecture later online.   

At the open house, professors will be on hand to advise guests about which programs will best help them reach their career and academic goals. Guests can also tour newly updated computer labs and learn about special LMC scholarships, grants and financial aid. Those who bring a 2015 federal income tax return can get help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts the computer information field will continue growing faster than average. LMC offers certificates, degrees and transfer options in computer science and networking, applications development, web design and geospatial information science. The geospatial technology field is growing 35 percent annually each year with employees earning a median annual salary over $60,000.

For information and registration, visit lakemichigancollege.edu/CIS or contact Jay Keeler at (313) 670-3052 or jkeeler@lakemichigancollege.edu.