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Learning Philosophy

Belmont Technical College is a dynamic organization sensitive and responsive to the changing educational needs of individual learners and corporate stakeholders. The environment for learning at BTC is a liberating, motivating force which empowers students, all employees, and external stakeholders to be in mutual partnership in the learning process and to strive for excellence in attaining teaching and learning goals. The environment fosters lifelong personal and professional growth with a commitment to the intellectual, physical, emotional, and cultural development of students and employees.

Learning transcends time and space as individuals learn differently and have preferred learning styles. Faculty, employees, and students share responsibility for learning and adapting to one another’s teaching and learning styles. Learning involves a mutual relationship between faculty and students. Faculty are caring, competent, and knowledgeable in the relationship, and students are responsible for full engagement in the relationship in order to become motivated, confident, and competent. Learning is an active, participatory process. An institutional culture of self-reflection and evaluation, team building, positive and constructive reinforcement, and accountability support the learning process.

Learners are leaders, and leaders are learners. BTC is a learning-centered organization. Curriculum develops across the programs from simple to complex, beginning with what is already known and subsequently enabling the development of core learning competencies. Analytical, critical/creative thinking, and communication skills are a paramount for student success. The use of technology is an integral part of supporting and enhancing the learning process. Positive role modeling, respect, and a community characterized by a systems approach to learning and problem-solving are the hallmarks of the BTC learning community. BTC creates substantive change in individual learners.

BTC is a customer-centered organization. Therefore, student support services for overcoming barriers to learning and goal attainment in the context of a diverse
cooperative work environment are essential to facilitate student success. The primary purpose of academic support services is to assist students in meeting their educational goals. College departments and functional units are aligned and coordinated to support teaching and learning. Employees are professional, accessible, and helpful when interacting with students and stakeholders of the college.

Accountability for learning is shared by students, stakeholders, and employees. Best practices are actively and continually adopted. Outcome competencies for each program and department are the backbone of the BTC continuous feedback loop, which allows the ongoing, systematic, employee-driven assessment of student achievement and institutional best practices.