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MATC HOSTS WTCS
LAUNCH OF ETECH COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN:
TECH COLLEGES COLLABORATE TO OFFER NEW ONLINE LEARNING SYSTEM
Madison Area Technical
College (MATC) is hosting the public launch of the Wisconsin Technical
College System’s new eTech College of Wisconsin, a new online learning
system that combines online course offerings and services from all of
the state’s 16 technical colleges. At a press conference to be held
Tuesday, August 7 at 10 a.m. at MATC’s Truax facility, the WTCS will
announce this exciting new venture that provides students easier access
to hundreds of courses. The new eTech College of Wisconsin, located at
htttp://www.eTechCollege.com, combines the flexibility of online learning
with the educational strength of the Wisconsin Technical College System
(WTCS).
In a recent survey,
eTech College of Wisconsin found that more than 88 percent of Wisconsin
technical college students have access to the Internet at home. Another
survey concluded that 59 percent of “non-completers” said completion
of their degree would have been more likely if the courses they needed
were offered over the Internet. The new online learning system from the
WTCS addresses these issues, in addition to making technical colleges
available to countless others unable to attend a WTCS campus.
“We’re putting
the resources of all 16 technical colleges into one major resource for
our students,” states Beverly Simone, president of Madison Area Technical
College. “Our goal is to remove the barriers of time and place to
give greater access to high quality learning,” she added.
The new eTech College
of Wisconsin also will provide former students another way of easing back
into school. It will provide working adults another opportunity to take
courses to enhance their resume or knowledge on a particular subject area.
“Wisconsin’s 16 technical colleges have been offering online
learning for years, but eTech College brings them all together to give
students a wealth of courses from which to choose,” states Ed Chin,
WTCS State Director. “Now students can readily take courses that
may not be offered at their own college, and credit transfer is smooth,”
Chin added.
Not only does eTech
College of Wisconsin offer more choices to students, but it also creates
new efficiencies for the 16 technical colleges through standardized course
competencies and shared curriculum, which enhance learning opportunities.
eTech College of Wisconsin
is the result of two years of planning and preparation by representatives
of all 16 colleges and the WTCS Board Office.
The Wisconsin Technical
College System has 16 technical college districts throughout Wisconsin,
which offer more than 300 programs awarding two-year associate degrees,
one- and two-year technical diplomas and short-term technical diplomas.
In addition, the System offers a variety of distance learning opportunities
and is the major provider of customized training and technical assistance
to Wisconsin’s business and industry community. The WTCS web site
is located at http://www.witechcolleges.com. The eTech College of Wisconsin
site is at http://www.eTechCollege.com or can be reached toll free at
1-866-eTechWI.
MATC is one of the
largest of the Wisconsin Technical College System’s 16 colleges and
serves about 50,000 individuals annually. It provides a comprehensive
curriculum of technical, liberal arts and science, adult basic education
and life enrichment studies and activities and offers customized training
for employers.
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Last
Modified:
September 17, 2001
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