For the fall semester, classes at Jackson State Community College will be taught in a FLEX format. This format will be a hybrid of both online and face-to-face components. Students will complete some work online and will also meet with faculty either in small group settings, via telecommunication platforms such as Zoom, or some combination of both. Students will be required to be available for coursework during the posted scheduled days and times.

According to Dr. Larry Bailey, Vice President of Academic Affairs, the intent is to have a FLEX component in all ground and hybrid instruction for both lectures and labs that allow for the use of asynchronous instruction such as Zoom, Blue Jeans, eLearn, or other online formats. “This will allow us to start classes and to meet at the already-scheduled times,” said Bailey. “This will provide for much of the structure and personal attention that our students want and need and will also allow us to maintain much smaller and more manageable groups in our classrooms.

Bailey explains that the new plan will not have students to meet for in-person classes during the first week of the semester to allow for faculty to divide the students into “attendance groups.” “For example, a class that meets on Tuesday and Thursday would have half of the students meet in person on Tuesday and the other half to meet in person on Thursday,” said Bailey. The other day would be met in an online format.

“Our students are already accustomed to utilizing the online technologies,” said Bailey, “and this new FLEX schedule will not be very far from what we currently practice.”

It is hoped that this plan will allow for the flexibility to meet the comfort levels of both students and faculty. Additionally, the FLEX schedule will allow for a consistent delivery method from the beginning and will also allow for a seamless transition in the event of another outbreak of the virus.