2008 Woodie Awards
Honors program benefits students
Smaller class sizes and hands-on learning are among advantages
Lauren Day
Issue date: 1/14/08 Section: News
Volunteer State Community College students have the opportunity to be a part of the honor's program.
Students eligible for the honors program must have at least a 3.5 grade point average or a cumulative ACT score of at least 24 said Dr. Carol Topping, honors program coordinator.
Honors courses are smaller, discussion-oriented and have more "hands-on" activities said Topping.
"Courses that are smaller lend themselves to a more active approach to learning as opposed to a lecture oriented approach. Students in the honors program get the chance to interact more with their professors," said Topping.
Honors courses generally have between 10 and 20 students said Topping.
"Honors courses are not harder than other classes, they are simply taught differently to learners who learn better through the Socratic method, writing or hands-on projects," said Topping.
"Honors courses are also designated as 'honors' courses [on a student's transcript]. This can help students who are going into programs that are competitive by giving them an edge of sorts over [other] students," said Topping.
Honors courses have been offered in biology, astronomy, psychology, sociology, communications, political science, English, literature and history said Topping.
"One of our most popular courses is a dual course of American history and American literature," said Topping. "Dr. Bob Ruff and Nancy Blomgren intertwine those courses in a two hour block of time."
Vol State sophomore Sarah Doyka is a student in the honors program.
Doyka has taken honors courses in psychology, astronomy, leadership and development, American history and American literature.
"Honors classes are smaller so you get more individual attention from teachers," said Doyka. "[Honors classes] also give you the freedom to think outside the box."
Doyka said that honors courses are not harder than non-honors courses, but they give students the opportunity to learn more.
"After being in the honors program, I'm more confident in asking questions to my professors and speaking in class," said Doyka. "Overall, [honors classes] are a lot better. They help you to learn more on your own."
Scholarships are available for honors students said Topping. A student must complete an honors program scholarship application in order to be eligible.
In order to graduate from the honors program, a student has to take at least 15 hours of honors courses and maintain a GPA of 3.5 said Topping.
According to Topping, students graduating from the honors program will receive a plaque and an honors program medallion to wear at graduation.
Students interested in taking honors courses can contact Dr. Topping at 230-3289 or carol.topping@volstate.edu.
Students eligible for the honors program must have at least a 3.5 grade point average or a cumulative ACT score of at least 24 said Dr. Carol Topping, honors program coordinator.
Honors courses are smaller, discussion-oriented and have more "hands-on" activities said Topping.
"Courses that are smaller lend themselves to a more active approach to learning as opposed to a lecture oriented approach. Students in the honors program get the chance to interact more with their professors," said Topping.
Honors courses generally have between 10 and 20 students said Topping.
"Honors courses are not harder than other classes, they are simply taught differently to learners who learn better through the Socratic method, writing or hands-on projects," said Topping.
"Honors courses are also designated as 'honors' courses [on a student's transcript]. This can help students who are going into programs that are competitive by giving them an edge of sorts over [other] students," said Topping.
Honors courses have been offered in biology, astronomy, psychology, sociology, communications, political science, English, literature and history said Topping.
"One of our most popular courses is a dual course of American history and American literature," said Topping. "Dr. Bob Ruff and Nancy Blomgren intertwine those courses in a two hour block of time."
Vol State sophomore Sarah Doyka is a student in the honors program.
Doyka has taken honors courses in psychology, astronomy, leadership and development, American history and American literature.
"Honors classes are smaller so you get more individual attention from teachers," said Doyka. "[Honors classes] also give you the freedom to think outside the box."
Doyka said that honors courses are not harder than non-honors courses, but they give students the opportunity to learn more.
"After being in the honors program, I'm more confident in asking questions to my professors and speaking in class," said Doyka. "Overall, [honors classes] are a lot better. They help you to learn more on your own."
Scholarships are available for honors students said Topping. A student must complete an honors program scholarship application in order to be eligible.
In order to graduate from the honors program, a student has to take at least 15 hours of honors courses and maintain a GPA of 3.5 said Topping.
According to Topping, students graduating from the honors program will receive a plaque and an honors program medallion to wear at graduation.
Students interested in taking honors courses can contact Dr. Topping at 230-3289 or carol.topping@volstate.edu.
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