Chris Rowe, a May 2018 graduate of Moraine Park Technical College, enrolled in the Introduction to Mass Communication course and was not entirely sure what to expect.

The Introduction to Mass Communication course at Moraine Park explores communication in media and media literacy by providing insight into the important issues that confront students as consumers and purveyors of mass media within the workforce and in society. The mass media revolution, including media technologies, the evolution of media content and platforms, including new media, the impact of media communications on business and society as a whole, media bias, and media law and ethics provide the focus for this course.

“I learned that Mass Communication is more complicated than I thought,” said Rowe.  “In an ideal world, mass media companies should strive for excellence, honesty, and the betterment of the people they supply the information to on a daily basis,  however, this is not always the case.”

Students who take this course learn that the freedom we enjoy does not prevent the spread of misinformation.  Different types of media can contradict or leave information out to affect individuals’ beliefs and opinions.

“While taking part in this class, I really enjoyed considering some of the history and evolution of mass media, such as news, music, and film,” said Rowe. “It also was significant to learn about the impact the media has on our society and how we think and feel collectively, as well as individually. The pervasive role that media plays can be not only detrimental but also at times positive. I highly recommend this class with Dr. Rebecca Leichtfuss so that individuals understand the role and influence that media has on our free society.”

To learn more about Moraine Park Technical College, visit morainepark.edu

Moraine Park Technical College held its 26th annual GED/HSED graduation ceremony on June 7. For the 2017-18 school year, 141 students received their General Education Development (GED) and High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) certificates.

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This year, Moraine Park participated in a study abroad opportunity with other technical colleges to send students to Ireland for 2 weeks.  Our partner college in Ireland is the Waterford Institute of Technology and we work with them to expand students’ knowledge of business and explore issues from a global perspective. During this study abroad course, students participated in classes with Irish instructors and attend business tours while being immersed in another culture.

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Danairis Melendez (left), Jason Landt (center), and Delaney Tisdale (right) are looking forward to using their writing skills in their healthcare professions once they graduate from MPTC.

Being able to write well impacts my future success

The need for good writing skills exist in every profession. “For example, in my future career field as a radiographer, I must communicate findings and evaluations that are clear and concise, so the doctors know how to proceed,” said Jason Landt, who plans to graduate from the Radiography program at MPTC.

Delaney Tisdale, a student in the MPTC Medical Assistant program, shared her perspective.  “As a future medical assistant, I need to document the patient’s history by being very complete and thorough,” said Tisdale.

Danairis Melendez agrees about how important writing is for her career.  “As a future nurse, I must accurately chart symptoms, vitals, and medications for the healthcare team,” emphasized Melendez, who plans to graduate from the MPTC Nursing Program in 2020.

Jonah Tyjeski (right), Natalie Bock (center), and Stephanie Munro (left), students in the English Composition I course, explain how they will use their writing skills in their future careers.

Students share how their writing skills matter in workplace

Writing skills allow you to sound more professional, intelligent, and improve productivity in the workplace along with making your job more enjoyable. Jonah Tyjeski, Natalie Bock, and Stephanie Munro, additional students in the English Composition I course, explain how writing skills matter in the workplace.

“If I’m at work and I need a piece of equipment from the warehouse, I need to send an official e-mail to the warehouse manager and human resources to obtain it.  I use my writing skills every day,” said Jonah Tyjeski, who plans to graduate from MPTC in the HVAC program this semester.

Natalie Bock agrees.  “When I take x-rays, I need to write what is wrong and communicate this information to the doctor.  I must be very accurate with my writing,” said Bock, a MPTC Radiography program student.

Stephanie Munro, a future MPTC Nursing graduate, also shares her experience with writing.  “I know I will use my writing skills every day when I communicate with doctors about orders and when I complete patient charting.”

Students in the English Composition I course include Cindi Thorpe (back left), Peter Cahill (back right), Angela Clark (front left), and Ali Gill (front right); they recognize the hard work that great writing requires.

Students recognize writing to be challenging and necessary for any career

No matter your career field, your writing skills matter.  A technical trainer, an automotive engine technician, a chef, and a nurse need to put their writing skills to the test every day in their careers. These students in the English Composition I course recognize that they must demonstrate to co-workers, customers, patients, and management that they can communicate well and be proficient in writing. If you want to advance in your career, you need to be able to use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation, as well as provide accurate and pertinent information.

All of these students in the English Composition I course understand that as current and future professionals, they must be good writers to be successful, which is why they chose to complete the English Composition I course at MPTC.  This course focuses on the 4 C’s of writing, the research and writing process, proper documentation and formatting, critical thinking, and more.

To learn more about Moraine Park, visit morainepark.edu. 

Evan Kehrmeyer, owner of Kehrmeyer Construction, LLC in Mayville, bends and threads a 1/2” rigid conduit to be installed underground.

“I’m excited to showcase my writing skills in my career, because I learned from Dr. Leichtfuss that good communication leads to career advancement.”

Evan Kehrmeyer, a May 2018 graduate from the Electricity Program at Moraine Park Technical College, never expected to enjoy, much less benefit from taking a writing course. “I assumed the English Composition I course at Moraine Park would be like every other English class I had ever taken,” Kehrmeyer stated. “I was pleasantly surprised to learn so much about writing style, communication in the workplace, the 4 C’s of writing, and how to conduct research.”

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Moraine Park Technical College has a longstanding commitment to providing accessible, affordable and quality education. We know that the technical education we provide here will enrich our students, and in turn, will enrich the workforce and our communities.

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Addy is thrilled when his name is drawn as the winner of a new crockpot.

Recently in Fond du Lac, three presenters from the community  shared information and provided practice opportunities in nutrition and stretching.

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Do you enjoy meeting new people? Do you like practicing intercultural communication skills? Do you wish to expand your knowledge about different viewpoints on family, food, education, success, gender roles, and even religion in a safe, respectful environment?

You may be thinking, “WOW, that sounds interesting!” Our students at Moraine Park Technical College are doing just that!

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Who should get tutoring? Isn’t it just for people who are doing poorly in their courses?

Anyone can benefit from tutoring! Tutoring can help maintain or improve a grade as well as make the difference between passing and failing a course. It can help students ease anxiety about difficult courses, deepen understanding and retention of course content, and help develop more effective study skills.

How can a tutor help me?

Your tutor will work with you to help understand where you are having difficulty. A tutor can help you gain new perspectives on your learning by asking questions, explaining concepts in different ways, sharing examples and resources, suggesting study strategies, providing encouragement, and more.
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