“As a Website Design/Developer student at Moraine Park, I need to know how to code and design websites, and how to troubleshoot issues by thinking critically and creatively.  I recently completed the Think Critically and Creatively class with Dr. Rebecca Leichtfuss at MPTC and learned how to really think outside the box. 

Throughout the course, I learned how to get to the focus of an issue by using the Elements of Thought model.  This model proves essential for solving problems by making sure you are concentrating on the correct issues and not only the facts.  Failure to identify what you are trying to achieve for a purpose and the problem or issue to solve will lead to poor outcomes.  Website Design and Development for clients requires this type of critical and creative thinking throughout the entire process of designing and building a website to be the most effective for a business.  The actual design and development of a website represents only a small part of what is needed when working with clients.  For instance, you must identify the audience a business seeks to reach, conduct research, and determine how you are going to design a site that will attract customers.  Critical and creative thinking plays a significant role in this process. 

I’m looking forward to graduation in May, 2019, and I know that this course has only enriched my knowledge in this area for career success.  I suggest anyone pursuing any type of degree take this course to help improve your problem-solving and decision-making skills.”

Written by Catherine Ziegler
MPTC Student

For more information on Moraine Park, visit morainepark.edu.

“I completed this class as a successful writer,” Lauren Schwefel stated.

“I believe that our instructor, Dr. Rebecca Leichtfuss, provided us with quality writing tools so that we can achieve career success in the future,” Natalie Graff concluded.

Natalie Graff and Lauren Schwefel decided to share their experience in the English Composition I course to let other students know about what to expect.  “When I enrolled in the English Composition I course, I thought I already knew what we needed to know about writing. Turns out I was wrong,” said Graff, who will be graduating from the Accounting program in May, 2019. 

Lauren Schwefel, a Nursing student, also found that she would learn a lot from taking the English Composition I course.  “Dr. Rebecca Leichtfuss taught our class and emphasized to students the importance of learning the 4 C’s of Writing.  We practiced the 4 C’s of writing of clarity, conciseness, completeness, and correctness with every writing activity and assignment.  Every class period we drafted, revised, edited and proofread our writing, which helped me construct higher quality work,” shared Schwefel.

As the course continued, these students focused on learning about different types of writing, including creating professional business e-mails, completing communication case studies that required critical thinking, analyzing research studies, writing a blog, and preparing a research paper.  “Initially I was not looking forward to writing the research paper, but it became easier when our instructor taught us how to follow the writing process, which included writing an annotated bibliography, a plan and outline, and a rough draft,” recalled Graff.

Schwefel recalls that while writing the research paper she learned the importance of organization, time management, and how to determine credible sources. “When all was said and done, I could confidently write a research paper that I initially had dreaded,” she said.

Overall, these students emphasized how the English Composition I course taught them more about writing than they imagined. 

For more information on Moraine Park, visit morainepark.edu.

Did you know that general education courses taken at Moraine Park Technical College transfer to many four-year colleges?

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It’s time to be thinking of spring…even before our first “real” snowfall.

Why?

Because those spring 2019 classes will fill fast!

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Nervous, Surprised, and Now Confident about her Education. Meet Jesse Lance. 

“I was extremely nervous going back to school at the age of 38.  Some people said it was a waste of time.  Others said I wouldn’t make it. I worried the professors wouldn’t be understanding. Boy, was I wrong!

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Meet Delilah Hernandez, nursing student at Moraine Park Technical College.

“I chose to attend MPTC for two reasons.  First, the nursing program ranks number 2 in the state.  Second, I absolutely love their focus on the core value of student success, which is amazing.  Everyone from faculty to staff to advisors offers support and resources and genuinely cares about student success.”

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Moraine Park Technical College will be expanding their 2019-20 Promise program eligibility guidelines to benefit more students at one time.

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As a young student, it might be hard to envision college and what it may look like, but Moraine Park is working hard to make it possible for students to get a jump start on their college education.

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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