May/June 2009
Featured Articles
Application of Blogs to Support Reflective Learning Journals
Reflective learning journals are effective tools for allowing students to look back at their learning and relate it to their environment. The traditional approach to document these journals was on paper but, with the development of blogs, it has taken on a totally new dimension. This article looks at how reflective learning journals are being used in a graduate-level online class as well as the benefits and related best practices associated with online learning journals. View entire article
DE Oracle Named a Finalist in International Awards Program
The DE Oracle @ UMUC was recently named a finalist in the 2009 Learning Impact awards program sponsored by the IMS Global Learning Consortium. View entire article
UMUC Presenters and Award Winners at MDLA 2009 Conference
"Virtual Worlds: Real Teaching and Learning" was the theme of this year's conference of the Maryland Distance Learning Association (MDLA). UMUC was well represented in attendance at the conference held at the Sheppard Pratt Conference Center in Baltimore on March 5, 2009. View entire article
Student Response Systems (Part I)
This article is a two-part series on student response systems, also known as clickers. Part I focuses on the description, purpose, benefits, and challenges of clicker use to enhance learning and engage student interest. Part II will focus on a pilot being conducted at USG (The Universities of Shady Grove) with 20 faculty members (4 from UMUC) who have been using clickers. View entire article
Best Practices for High-Quality Audio
Are you tired of producing poor-quality audio recordings? Confused about what type of microphone to use? Frustrated because you just can't get rid of the ambient noise in your recording? No worries, help is on the way! View entire article
Important Information
UMUC Classroom Interruption Planning Guide
These guidelines emphasize effective strategies that will allow faculty to continue teaching and communicating with students if online or onsite classes become inaccessible for extended periods of time.
Expectations of Faculty Teaching for GSMT
All Graduate School of Management & Technology (GSMT) faculty members, whether teaching online or face-to-face, use UMUC's online course delivery system, WebTycho. Expectations of Faculty Teaching for GSMT outlines requirements including instructors' use of WebTycho to achieve UMUC's goal of providing the highest-quality education to its students. The document is available for download from the Faculty Resources section.
Expectations of Faculty Teaching for SUS
All School of Undergraduate Studies (SUS) faculty members, whether teaching online or face-to-face, use UMUC's online course delivery system, WebTycho. Expectations of Faculty Teaching for SUS outlines requirements including instructors' use of WebTycho to achieve UMUC's goal of providing the highest-quality education to its students. These documents are available for download from the Faculty Resources section.
Calendar
Please refer to the UMUC's Academic Calendar for semester start and end dates. Also, don't forget about the UMUC recognized holidays. In many cases there is a difference in the scheduled holidays between online and F2F classes.
For Face to Face classes: The start and end date for your class will depend on the day of the week your class meets. Please refer to the Schedule of Classes for the exact start and end date.
Information and Library Services
Information and Library Services Celebrates National Library Week
"Worlds connect @ your library" was the theme of this year's National Library Week (April 12-18). An annual celebration since 1958, National Library Week honors and promotes the work of libraries and librarians. This theme is especially apropos for UMUC with its global student body and the cadre of faculty and staff located all over the world who teach and support these students. View entire article
Information and Library Services (ILS) Update
Check out these latest updates from UMUC's Information and Library Services. View entire article
McKeldin Library Office Hours
Research assistance will be available to UMUC students, faculty and staff in the ILS office in McKeldin Library room 6259 during the following hours:
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday: Noon to 8 p.m.
An appointment to see an ILS librarian at McKeldin at other times can be made using the appointment request form.
