What is Mindquest?
Mindquest Academy (MQA) is a comprehensive set of college transition program resources designed to assist adults who want to go to college but lack the necessary academic skills and knowledge for post-secondary success.
The Academy combines a unique set of features: an adult population group needing transitional courses, an educational intervention using online curricula and teaching strategies, and collaborative efforts within MnSCU and Adult Basic Education.
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“Mindquest Academy courses are different from any other online courses I have worked with… [students] know they will have to demonstrate proficiency and understanding of the concept by the end of the module or the course… It’s a curriculum that shows them all the pieces and takes them far beyond the literal understanding of a concept… It is a very comprehensive approach.”
- Bob Maas, College Prep instructor with Mankato ABE and South Central College |
How does it work?
MQA resources include:
1. A comprehensive array of college preparatory courses
a) Twenty-five courses in four skill areas:
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Mindquest Academy Newsletters |
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- Foundation skills
- College success skills
- Academic samplers
- Career Exploration
b) An intuitive navigation design divides each course into five modules. These may be used separately and/or in combinations to fit the learner. Each module offers multimedia-rich content to engage students.
c) Courses are highly interactive with dialogue between teacher and student via e-mail. The instructional process leads to progressive development of student skills and understanding. Students find the courses attractive and inviting, with a tasteful use of color, photographs, and other graphic design elements.
2. Teacher training culminating in a state certificate
A six-month hybrid program combines face-to-face and online training. Teacher trainers demonstrate approaches they’ve used with learners and are available to coach new teachers. Teachers receive a state certificate as online teachers with MQA materials.
3. Support to ABE programs
MQA staff will help programs implement online teaching with MQA courses. We work with teachers to help integrate MQA resources into your program. We offer coaching, mentoring, personal visits, and ongoing communication through Web resources.
4. Collaboration building
We’ll help you start a College Prep program with the community or technical college in your area! Our College Prep model has a proven record of success in college/ABE program collaborations.
Benefits of Mindquest
Getting Started with Mindquest
Talk with a Mindquest Teacher
Mindquest Staff Bios
Bella Hanson
Mindquest Academy Director
Greta Ploetz
Mindquest Academy course developer/writer
