Instructor Jackie Lakin wins "Name the Sims" contest

Congratulations to Jackie Lakin, winner of last week’s “Name the Sims” contest! Lakin, an instructor, often uses the Sims in her courses and has become familiar with the entire Sim family. Lakin submitted the following winning names for the members of the Sim family:

• SimMan (the “mom”) – Gyneco (Gynny) Sim
• SimMan 3G (the “dad”) – Manuel (Manny) Sim
• SimMan Mobile – Travis (Trav) Sim
• SimBaby – Neona (Neo) Sim

Lakin’s creative names are based in the health sciences; for example, “gyneco” is used in the formation of compound words relating to “woman” or “female,” such as gynecology. “Gynny” is the winning nickname. Also, “neona” is a creative invention relating to “neonatal” or “neo,” meaning “new.” For her winning contribution, Lakin takes home a PTC sweatshirt. Staff members in PTC’s Healthcare Alliance department narrowed down the results to the “Top 4” nominees, which included submissions from Lakin, nursing student Katie Cooper, business administration student James Hinrichs, and nursing student Katie Holmstrom.

The new, high-tech SimMen (simulation manikins) are being used for students enrolled in healthcare programs that allow students to experience realistic patient scenarios in the classroom. The Sims talk, have heartbeats, bleed, and more! During the contest, the Sims were on display, and students and staff were encouraged to stop by the display, meet the Sims, and submit names for each.


Photo: Lakin poses with "Mr. Bones," a model skeleton.

PTC students are wired with D2L

"What's D2L?"
D2L is short for Desire2Learn, the course management software that PTC and all other schools in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System use. D2L allows instructors to create course web sites to supplement face-to-face courses or to provide instruction for distance learning online courses.

D2L lets instructors enhance their courses using the web as well as offer distance learning options by the creation and distribution of course elements online. It provides a variety of online options including uploading assignments, taking quizzes and listening to course lectures, all through a standard web browser. Instructors can set up their D2L courses to include a variety of materials such as communication tools, course files, evaluation tools and feedback. Some examples:

• A home page for each course
• Course calendar (schedule)
• Quizzes and surveys
• Chat and discussions
• News
• Drop box
• Grades
• Pager system to let others in class know you’re online
• Course file uploads and links by modules or topics.

D2L technology is developed by Desire2Learn, Inc., a company that specializes in creating e-learning solutions for on-campus students, distance education, continuing education and other programs.

Name the Sims and win!

Photo above: The Sim family on display in PTC's main hall.

PTC nursing students have undoubtedly met the SimMan, who is actually part of an entire family including "SimMom" and "SimBaby." The new, high-tech SimMen (simulation manikins) are being used for students enrolled in healthcare programs that allow students to experience realistic patient scenarios in the classroom. The Sims talk, have heartbeats, bleed, and more! If you haven’t met the Sims yet, stop by the exhibit in the main hall, where they are on display now through Mon. Jan. 24.

At this time, all Sims are nameless, and your help is needed in naming them -- after all, they do talk back! Health Care Alliance staff members at PTC are in the midst of a "Name the Sims" contest, whereby you have a chance to name each Sim family member and win a prize! Stop by the display in the main hall, meet the Sims, and dream up names for each. Once you have names for all the Sims, stop by the Student Affairs Office, pick up a "Name the Sims" ballot, and fill in the names -- be sure to specify what name you intend for each Sim. Final names will be determined after 5 p.m. on Mon. Jan. 24.

The Sim family is comprised of:
-- SimMan (Mom)
-- SimMan 3G (Dad)
-- SimBaby (Baby)
-- SimMobile (SimMan used for "loaning" to hospitals and other locations for training)

For more information about the Health Care Alliance, click here, or call 320-629-4566. Also, be a fan of the Health Care Alliance on Facebook!

Mixed Blood Theatre to present Daughters of Africa at PTC

On Feb. 16, the Mixed Blood Theatre company brings Daughters of Africa to PTC. Daughters of Africa is a high-energy, music-driven performance/play showcasing African American women’s triumphs and accomplishments with profiles of both the famous and the forgotten. The performance will take place in PTC’s auditorium (room 20) at 11 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. and is free and open to PTC students, staff and faculty members.

"We are so excited to host Mixed Blood Theatre and to bring this performance to our campus," says Erin White, Director of the Academic Skills Center and member of the college’s Diversity Committee, the group who worked to bring the production to PTC. "This production is a rich and touching celebration of humanity, and it’s simply not to be missed," White adds.

The historical piece was written specifically for Mixed Blood Theatre by award-winning playwright Syl Jones and is fueled by the songs of Aretha Franklin, Lena Home, Queen Latifah and more. The one-woman show, directed by Warren C. Bowles, features Thomasina Petrus, whose dazzling solo performance in the touring production has entertained audiences for nearly 20 years. The show is one of many culturally-specific productions the theatre company offers; Mixed Blood Theatre is a multi-racial theatre company that promotes cultural pluralism and individual equality through performance art.

PTC’s Diversity Committee recognizes that diversity and inclusion are essential to educational excellence, and the college’s administration and faculty are committed to ensuring the needs of a diverse student body and growing, diverse community are supported. The college’s Diversity Committee is responsible for organizing this event.

Exhibit showcases artwork by PTC student Amanda Hanson

Image above: Artworks by Amanda Hanson as seen through the exhibit glass.

Amanda Hanson, a PTC student pursuing an A.A.S. in Early Childhood Development and a certificate in American Sign Language, has been creating art since grade school and works in many different mediums including clay, charcoal, and acrylic and oil paints. Hanson creates artworks as a hobby, and until now, she has never exhibited her visual artwork in a public forum.

While Hanson says creating visual art has always been her primary artistic pursuit, she also writes poetry and was featured in a poetry magazine at just 16 years old; she also placed 5th in a regional poetry competition.

Hanson’s long-term goals include earning her A.A.S. and certificate and gaining a position as a preschool assistant teacher. Hanson says she would prefer to work with young children and teach signing. She is tentatively planning for a May, 2012 graduation.

You can see Hanson's artwork on display now through May, 2011. The exhibit features works of original art created by established and/or emerging artists from the Pine Area, embracing the talent and creativity of Pine Technical College students and the larger Pine community. The exhibit changes seasonally, and many kinds of artworks are showcased, including paintings, photographs, pottery, sculptures, sketches, wood carvings and more. If you are an artist from the Pine Area and wish to exhibit your works in the Pine Art Gallery, see the Pine Technical College Marketing Director in Student Affairs.