Criminal Justice

The educational experience for many Colby Community College students is much more than face-to-face instruction in a traditional classroom setting.  One example of the new course delivery systems is the Wimba Classroom now being used to provide real time classroom interaction to CCC students enrolled in Introduction to Criminal Justice.
The Wimba classroom provides students with access to CCC instructors and lecture content available beyond the boundaries of the traditional classroom door. 
Adjunct instructor Elisabeth Copeland, a 2004 graduate of the Colby College Criminal Justice program, is a former deputy sheriff and juvenile probation officer.  She currently is a Skills Development Specialist for the Department of Corrections (DOC) working out of the DOC central office in Topeka.  She is teaching the introductory criminal justice course to CCC students from her location in Topeka.
After receiving her degree from CCC, Copeland transferred to Washburn University where she received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. 
“The class is going very well,” said Copeland.  “I am usually providing instruction to corrections’ officers.  This is a different type of instruction utilizing a very unique delivery system.  I’m enjoying the opportunity.”
With the Wimba classroom, faculty connect to CCC students online through follow-the-speaker video, emoticons, and discussion-centered Voice-over Internet Protocol.  Students may participate anyplace they have an Internet connection.
“The Introduction to Criminal Justice class being delivered from Topeka is our first attempt with this concept,” said Dr. Michael Thompson, criminal justice program director.  “We have ten student in the class and it appears to be working very well.
“With the Wimba Classroom, we can capture our classroom activity, make it available for review and reuse, allowing for better student comprehension,” said Thompson.  “We can record the audio, video, chat, whiteboard and application sharing for a class offered at a remote site or capture the traditional classroom lecture environment.  With Wimba Classroom we have been able to bridge our students who are distance bound with the traditional student, allowing us to expand our learning programs and student base.”