Tulsa Tech Instructors Find News Ways to Connect With Students

Working from home, distance learning and non-essential businesses closed.  Now, more than ever, people must make a connection. With a face-to-face meeting, not a possibility Tulsa Tech instructors are getting creative to help students.

Instructors like Taylor Deathridge are turning their courses online. Her medical coding class is using Blackboard Connect and Zoom to make virtual meetings happen. It is a luxury Deathridge realizes not every person has at their disposal.

“I am fortunate to teach a program that translates well to online,” Deathridge said. “As educators, we have to meet students where they are, right now that is in an online environment." 

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tulsa Tech has been impacted like many businesses, while we still strive to live our mission Educating people for success in the workplace, that education is looking a little different. The chance to try something new is exciting for our instructors. 

“These opportunities to meet the needs of students and solve a problem is electrifying,” Deathridge said with a smile. “One of the unique parts of Career-Tech is that many of us come from the industry, and for now the medical field is adapting to an online world as well.” 

The health crisis is also something Deathridge and many of the medical instructors at Tulsa Tech are tackling head-on. Our students learn the proper way to use personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep themselves and the patient safe. 

Last month, Tulsa Tech gathered thousands of items to donate to St. Francis Health Systems and Hillcrest. These donations are just one way we are working to help our community through this pandemic. 

While we can't be without students in the classroom we are finding new and creative ways to create that all-important connection. 

“My hope is through the use of distance learning we can grow the quality instruction Tulsa Tech offers outside the four walls, and into virtual classrooms,” Deathridge said with a smile. “I think virtual space can help some programs reach even more people and help them find success." 

While this has changed the way we teach, right now. Tulsa Tech is committed to being there for you now and in the future. 

If the recent events have you looking to make a change in your life, start your application today and see which one of our more than 80 programs could help you Make Your Own Path.