D2L Update – Some things we would like to mention

For those of you who read the West Georgian, an article was printed today explaining some of the changes that will be coming to CourseDen. UWG | Online would like to expand on some of the topics that were discussed.

We are working very hard to gather instructional material for the 10.2 update. We plan to have walkthroughs and tutorials available on uwgonline.westga.edu before our winter break. Jan. 2nd, 2014 will be the first day that students and instructors will be able to access the updated CourseDen. Courses will be available Jan. 6th, 2014 – the first day of Spring classes.

The biggest improvement to CourseDen is a cleaner navigation. We have designed the new system to better facilitate communication within the system between students and instructors.

More and more students are taking classes online. This growth was discussed in the article, but it might be misinterpreted as the number of helpdesk calls UWG | Online receives. “UWG online had eight inquires a day this time last year, and this year there is an average of 16.” Inquires refer to the unofficial number of potential students seeking information about our online programs. This number has almost doubled over the course of a year. In less than 3 months that is the same amount of students in the graduating class of Spring 2013!

Desire2Learn is the name of the company that provides and supports the software for our learning management system. CourseDen is the name UWG gives our learning management system. When there is a reference to Desire2Learn, it is a reference to CourseDen. We want to stress that this update will be affecting an online system that is used by almost all online and face-to-face students attending UWG.

We would like to mention that the week of November 11th – 15th is Distance Learning Week. UWG | Online will be having daily social media activities, Google hangouts, and online webinars. For students on campus, we will have a booth set-up in the library (next to Starbucks) from 10 – 2. Stop by to learn about the new upgrade and a chance to receive promotional items. Visit http://uwgonline.westga.edu/distance-learning-week.php for more information about Distance Learning Week.

UWG | Online would like to sincerely thank The West Georgian for helping us get the word out about CourseDen’s upgrade! If you would like to learn more about 10.2, please visit http://uwgonline.westga.edu/announcements.php or give us a call at 1-855-933-8946.

CourseDen is getting an Upgrade!

CourseDen is getting a cleaner, more user friendly interface

In preparation for Spring Semester 2014, CourseDen's Desire2Learn (D2L) will be upgraded to version 10.2. The upgrade will make D2L unavailable beginning some time on 12/19, with an expected return to service by midnight on 12/26.

Because this is an in-place upgrade, instructor access could be restored slightly earlier or could be delayed due to unforeseen circumstances. Any delays or changes in service will be communicated via the all-faculty email listserv.

Students will be able to login and access a student orientation course by noon on 01/02. However, they will not be able to access their Spring 2014 classes until the official start date of January 6th. In contrast to the major upgrade performed on D2L in January, this upgrade does not involve changes to the look and feel or include significant changes to tool functionality. Rather, it features improvements and fixes to D2L's usability and added functionality that will enhance instructor and student experiences.

For technical assistance over the winter holidays (12/18/2013 - 01/01/2014), please refer to the 24 hr University System of Georgia's D2L Helpdesk at:

http://D2Lhelp.view.usg.edu/
TOLL FREE 1-855-772-0423
TOLL FREE FOR HEARING IMPAIRED 1-800-892-4315
Appropriate adaptive technology (hardware) necessary to use this number.

Any issues that the 24 hr. USG's D2L Helpdesk cannot resolve will be escalated to UWG Online Helpdesk administrators to resolve upon campus' reopening on 01/02/2014.

Visit our Announcements website to learn more about feature improvements, available tutorials, or other frequently asked questions.

UWG Boasts the Best Online Professor in Georgia

Professor Wins Top USG Award for Online Teaching

A UWG faculty member has been awarded one of the most prestigious teaching awards in Georgia. Kim Huett, an instructor in the Department of Educational Technology and Foundations, is the recipient of the 2014 Georgia Board of Regents’ Teaching Excellence Award. Huett is the first educator to ever receive the award in the “Online Teaching” category.

The Regents’ Teaching Excellence Award has been recognizing extraordinary educators since 1996. According to the University System of Georgia website, winners have “a record of superlative teaching and a strong commitment to impacting student learning and to ultimately fostering the academic success of students.”

In regard to Huett’s teaching, the USG award letter cited her “innovative use of media” among the top reasons for why she was unanimously chosen by a panel of faculty and administrators from across the University System of Georgia. Huett, who teaches students studying to be pre-service teachers and speech language pathologists, takes advantage of the digital nature of the online class. Because teaching methods are constantly changing, her students must be competent in many levels of technology.

“My students are preparing to enter a K-12 learning environment infused with various uses of technology, including online and blended learning approaches,” Huett said. “Because my course is fully online, I use the opportunity to model effective online teaching. I model giving feedback in an online course, meeting the needs of different learners through the online course, creating a student-centered community of learners, and reflecting on the teaching and learning process.”
Huett also believes that a strong communication between the students and the professor is imperative in an online setting, and in order to create that atmosphere, she says that a professor must “provide ongoing formative assessment and feedback.”

“I work hard to be available and responsive to them; and I respect the perspectives, experiences and challenges they bring to class,” she said. “In the brief time I have with my students, I strive to connect them to relevant experiences that will help them succeed both in and beyond the courses I teach.”
In an effort to keep her students as the main focus of her teaching, Huett customizes her curriculum to meet the needs of individual students. After discovering a student with unusual circumstances, she developed a plan that would create an optimal learning atmosphere for him individually, including regular Skype sessions as well as face-to-face learning in the lab. Huett is willing to alter the course of study to meet the goals of her students.

Huett believes that continual design and redesign are a necessity for proactively reaching her students. In fall 2012, she performed a needs assessment study, including interviews with faculty, administrators, former students and current K-12 teachers, to determine the proficiency of her current course design. In spring 2013, she implemented the changes indicated by the assessment. The additions to her classes proved to be an enhancement.

“One change included the Voices from the Field interview series where I or my students, through a course project, interview practicing K-12 educators on use of technology in the field, and select interviews become curriculum in the course,” Huett said. “Another change from the needs assessment was to add a research project on the school technology resourcing model known as BYOT, or bring your own technology, which is a prominent new form of blended learning in many Georgia K-12 schools.”

Huett received notification of the award in August 2013. The Board of Regents will honor Huett at the annual USG Gala, and she has also been asked to present at the annual USG Teaching and Learning Conference in April 2014.

"We are so very proud of Professor Huett and the acknowledgement of her impact on UWG's quality online programs,” said Dr. Kyle Marrero, president of UWG. “The Regents' Teaching Excellence Award merely validates what we already knew - she is a superstar!"
For more information on UWG’s online learning, please visit http://uwgonline.westga.edu/.

UWG|Online Go West From Anywhere!

 

 

CourseDen Access Simplified

CourseDen Begins Using Universal UWG ID on August 19th

Beginning August 19th CourseDen will join the growing list of university services that utilize the UWG ID. The UWG ID is a universal username and password that gives students, faculty and staff convenient access to many UWG Services like UWG gmail, ConnectWest Wireless, Campus VPN, Parking Services and now CourseDen.

While we know change can be challenging, UWG|Online is excited about this opportunity to simplify the student, staff and faculty experience by having fewer passwords to manage.

If one has already registered their UWG ID, then starting August 19th they will simply use it to access CourseDen, just like they do for accessing their UWG gmail account via the web. For those who have not started using the UWG ID and its 12 character passphrase to access their UWG gmail and other campus services they will need to first register their UWG ID through the campus Self Service Tool located at this address: https://selfservice.westga.edu.

To find out more about UWG ID, visit: UWG ID Information Page.

If you need help you can contact the ITS Service Desk Monday through Friday from 8am until 5pm at 678-839-6587 or servicedesk@westga.edu You can also contact the UWG|Online Helpdesk Monday through Friday from 8am until 5pm at 678-839-6248 or online@westga.edu. For 24-hour help visit: http://D2Lhelp.view.usg.edu

UWG|Online Go West From Anywhere!

 

 

Online Opportunities in Music

UWG's Master of Music Degree Goes Online

The University of West Georgia Department of Music now offers a Master of Music degree in Music Education that is entirely online.


The program is intended for students who seek advanced training in music and music education. Admission requires applicants to have a baccalaureate degree in music education or a baccalaureate degree along with a certification in teaching music.

All applicants who seek admissions into the Master of Music degree program must complete or exempt the Graduate Music Qualifying Examination. The exam targets the student’s knowledge on music history, musical styles, music theory and aural skills.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and National Association of Schools of Music accredit the department of music at UWG. A total of 30 semester hours is required to earn a master’s degree. The online program is opening doors and allowing more students to get a higher education in music.

"We are delighted to make this excellent program available to students across the United States and beyond,” says Kevin Hibbard, Professor and Chair of the Department of Music. “There is a demonstrated need for distance education to serve qualified students who are unable to complete a campus-based program. We have many accomplished graduates throughout the region, and now we can greatly expand this opportunity.”

For more information on the online music education program please visit, UWG|Online Master of Music Education.

UWG|Online Go West From Anywhere!

World-Class Experience

UWG Criminology Professor, David Jenks, Named to Academic Fellowship in Terrorism Studies

The Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD), a non-partisan policy institute headquartered in Washington, D.C., announced today that Dr. David Jenks, a professor of Criminology at the University of West Georgia, has been named an “Academic Fellow” for 2013-14. Jenks will travel to Israel in June for an intensive course in terrorism studies, and in particular, how democracies can defeat the worldwide terrorist threat.

“Terrorism remains the greatest threat today to the world’s democracies, including the United States and our allies around the globe,” said Clifford May, President of FDD. “To win the war against terrorism, we must win the war of ideas by promoting democracy and defeating the totalitarian ideologies that drive and justify terrorism.”

The FDD Academic Fellows program provides a 10-day learning experience to U.S. –based teaching and research professionals to provide them with cutting edge information about defeating terrorist groups. The 2013 program, which will be conducted at Tel Aviv University from June 16th to June 25th, includes lectures by academics, and military and intelligence officials, as well as diplomats from Israel, Jordan, India, and the United States. It also includes “hands on” experience through visits to police, customs, and immigration facilities, military bases, and border zones to learn the practical side of deterring and defeating terrorists.

Jenks serves as the chair of the UWG Department of Criminology and teaches an Intro to Criminal Justice course.

“I am honored to be chosen for this prestigious award,” said Jenks. “I have no doubt that studying terrorism in Israel will certainly benefit me in ways I cannot fully understand. I am confident I will be able to utilize the experience and pass it on to our students in the Department of Criminology and throughout the university.”

Jenks can be reached at 678-839-6327. For more information on the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies or the Academic Fellowship program, please contact Dana Murphy, Campus Programs Coordinator, at 202-207-0190.

UWG offers a fully online Bachelor of Science in Criminology that is based on the philosophy of a liberal arts education, grounded in social science methodologies. The faculty of the Criminology program are committed to provide quality instruction to students on subjects that fall within the scope of the discipline, conduct research that contributes to the body of knowledge in the field,and engage in service that allows practical application of our knowledge and skills.

For more information on the Bachelor of Science in Criminology online program, please visit: UWG|Online Criminology Degree

UWG|Online Go West From Anywhere!

Leading the Pack Once Again

UWG Innovation Among the Best in Online Learning

In a quest to find a positive shared learning space for UWG Online Faculty, Matias Marabotto and Dr. Debra Robinson, are staying at the forefront of innovations for online learning in higher education. The pair recently won the 2013 USG Collaborate Innovators of the Year Award for their creation of UWG’s Online Learning iApollo Program.

Aiming to facilitate a faculty learning community who works together to assist their peers through both informal and formal means, Marabotto and Robinson created the iApollo Learning Program in an effort to achieve educational excellence in distance education. The program was able to achieve these goals by promoting faculty discussions about online teaching, creating a community of online faculty who share experiences with one another at UWG and conducting a live town hall meeting once a month.


“I am very pleased that the University of West Georgia is receiving external recognition for the excellent work done by our colleagues,” said UWG President Dr. Beheruz Sethna. “It brings us closer to our destination university goal – many thanks to Matias Marabotto, Dr. Debra Robinson and Jim Bellon for their accomplishments.”

According to U.S. News & World Report, UWG ranks sixth in the nation for “Best Online Graduate Computer Information Technology Programs.” UWG online programs in nursing, business, education and criminology are also recognized nationally by the publication.

“Their contributions have enhanced the overall success of student learning, and I am glad to see them recognized for their efforts,” said Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Michael Horvath.

UWG Math Instructor, Jim Bellon was also able to impress the judges placing third in the competition for his implementation of the online math tutoring to assist students who were taking math and science courses. Online math tutoring was offered 32 hours per week, and within a two-month time span, more than 70 students attended at least one of the online tutoring sessions.

Moving forward, Bellon says he is hoping to have “several different break-out classes that will assist with the recent growth” they experienced in such a short time.

UWG|Online Go West From Anywhere!

 

And The Winner is...

UWG Associate Dean Wins eLearning Educator Award

Dr. Jason Huett, Associate Dean of Online Development, was awarded the Outstanding eLearning Faculty Distinguished Educator award by the Instructional Technology Council. Winners of this award received complimentary registration to the ITC’s 2013 eLearning conference and were invited to attend a special recognition luncheon on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013, at the Hyatt Regency in San Antonio, Texas.

“It’s quite an honor,” said Huett. “Everything that I have accomplished while at UWG has, at least in part, been a team effort, and I am continually in awe of the people I work with. I consider myself lucky to have landed at UWG. If I am able to do anything that enhances the school’s reputation, it is largely because UWG took the time to invest in me. Awards like this are just further evidence that UWG is a major player in distance education in Georgia and beyond.”

Although Huett feels that UWG is already well known for its excellence in distance education, he is dedicated to the department’s continued improvement. “Right now is, perhaps, the most exciting time in education since we began gathering people on campuses,” he said. “Thanks to technology, education is becoming more accessible, flexible, social and affordable.

Huett also believes that online learning allows the university to reach more non-traditional students. “There are potential students who have long been marginalized and ignored by more traditional institutions: adult learners, military personnel, disabled students, single parents and millions of other non-traditional learners,” he continued. “In order to bring educational opportunities to these new and underserved audiences, you have to be flexible and deliver engaging instruction in a variety of formats. In short, we need to allow everyone the opportunity to have a high-quality education, and we need to educate students for their futures and not for our past. Online learning and instructional technology are critical in accomplishing these goals.”

“Dr. Huett is a tremendous asset to online learning at the University of West Georgia and indeed, the State of Georgia,” said Dr. Beheruz N. Sethna, President of the University of West Georgia. “Along with our other colleagues, Dr. Melanie Clay and her staff, they have put UWG on the map in this field. I am delighted that this award demonstrates external recognition for him, something that his UWG colleagues and I already knew.”

UWG|Online Go West From Anywhere!

 

Among the Very Best

UWG|Online Programs Rank Among the Best in U.S. News & World Report

The University of West Georgia is sixth in the nation for “Best Online Graduate Computer Information Technology Programs” according to U.S. News & World Report.

UWG ranked above online CIT programs at Auburn University, Columbia University and Mississippi State University. The graduate online CIT program ranked first in the nation for faculty credentials and training and also topped the list for student services and technology. UWG debuted this program only one year ago, making this prestigious ranking even more impressive.

“This recognition, one of many, is the result of the great work of the faculty and staff in the computer science department and all those colleagues across campus,” said Dr. Adel Abunawass, professor and chair for the department of computer science. “With this recognition, we look forward to continuing to increase the stature of the program as well as that of UWG as a high-quality and affordable destination for graduate education.” The UWG program is completely online and is aimed at providing its students, within two years of study, with the skill set needed for a fulfilling career in computer science.

U.S. News & World Report also recognizes UWG’s online programs in nursing, business, education and criminology. "It is very gratifying to see so many of the University of West Georgia's online programs recognized among the very best. Many of our faculty, such as Dr. Adel Abunawass, were among the early pioneers of online course delivery, and are uncompromising in their commitment to quality,” said Dr. Melanie Clay, director of extended learning at UWG. “It is clear that the institution's strategic investments in online delivery are yielding dividends that will enable us to make our personalized brand of world-class education available to more Georgians."

UWG’s online graduate nursing program, ranking 34th nationwide, prepares professional nurses for practice as well as educator and administrative roles in diverse healthcare settings. “This strong ranking validates the commitment of the School of Nursing to student-centered learning and innovative pedagogy for 21st century practice,” said Dr. Kathryn Grams, Dean of the School of Nursing. “Even though the graduate programs are 100% online, the faculty are fully engaged with students and deliver quality caring instruction in a personal environment.”

The online graduate business program is ranked 51st in the nation. "The quality of our faculty is unparalleled," said Dr. Faye McIntyre, Dean of the Richards College of Business. "Each professor has a great deal of experience in online learning and receives extensive training before having the opportunity to teach one of our classes. They are constantly researching new methods for successfully translating an in-person class to online instruction." The majority of students in the WebMBA program are mid-career professionals. Professors encourage students to work in a team-based format, allowing them to form strong bonds by learning from one another’s career experiences.

In addition to being ranked 56th overall, the online bachelor program in criminology is ranked fourth nationwide for faculty credentials and training. “The online degree program in criminology is taught by some of the best educators in the nation, period,” said Dr. N. Jane McCandless, Dean of the College of Social Sciences. “Each faculty member in the department is working toward five-star accreditation in online learning. Feedback from students continues to confirm the high standards of quality that our faculty members expect of the students and of themselves.”

The University of West Georgia online programs allow students to earn degrees regardless of their geographical location or the field in which they obtained a bachelor’s degree. "We have students from all over the U.S. and in other countries as well," said Dr. Dianne Hoff, Dean of the College of Education. "What makes our online programs exceptional is that our professors work to blend the best teaching techniques to ensure a personal and accessible learning experience for the student. Through the use of synchronous and asynchronous learning, our online students have the benefit of a live class but are able to access the course from anywhere in the world." The online graduate programs in education received a rank of 101, nationally.

“I am delighted at the national recognition our online programs have received,” said Dr. Beheruz N. Sethna, president of UWG. “UWG is now clearly a nationally recognized player in online education, and this is a tribute to our faculty in several disciplines and colleges across the University. The University of West Georgia demonstrates each day that we can provide exceptional online experiences without cutting back on traditional and face-to-face education. We're proud of our ability to provide students with flexible learning options without sacrificing scholarly excellence.”

To see the full list of rankings from U.S. News & World Report, please visit www.usnews.com/education/online-education.

 

UWG|Online Go West From Anywhere!