July/August 2010

Featured Articles

Networking, Career Assistance, and the Industry Scoop: Reflections on the 7th Annual Biotechnology Symposium and Career Fair

This past May, the Biotechnology Studies Program held its annual spring symposium and career fair. This event has been held since 2004 in response to two critical questions raised by students:"Am I choosing the right field of study?" and "What are the job prospects once I graduate?" View entire article

Designing for Success with the Seven Principles

This article briefly discusses Chickering and Gamson's (1987) Seven Principles as a means for building an effective teaching and learning environment. It then describes how these principles were incorporated into the design of what is now an award-winning, highly interactive online foreign language course. View entire article

Virtual Teamwork in the Online Classroom: Social and Cultural Characteristics and Influences

A study with graduate students from the California Public University System who were experienced in virtual teamwork determined that traditional social and cultural influences remain important in current virtual teamwork. The survey results are discussed in this first article of a two-part series, noting virtual team challenges as well as the suggestions they offered for improving the multicultural, virtual team experience. The student suggestions also inform guidelines for online faculty and students who are involved with forming a cultural hybrid to accomplish virtual team goals. View entire article

Taking Students on a Magical Mystery Virtual Tour

Field trips to different venues provide a rich and engaging learning experience for students. However, this is difficult--if not impossible--to accomplish for online classes. This article discusses virtual tours that were organized for UMUC graduate students in ITEC 610 and ITEC 620 and lessons learned when using emerging technologies to support learning in the online environment. 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



Library Services Moves to Largo

ILS has a new location in the Academic Center at Largo and continues to serve as a resource for faculty conducting research or other professional development work. It has also developed a new business research guide for students, faculty, and staff. View entire article

New One-Stop Access to Faculty and Student Research and Scholarship: Faculty and Student Research @ UMUC

Visit the new Faculty and Student Research @ UMUC Web page from Information and Library Services, which provides one-stop access to the growing body of research-related materials produced by UMUC faculty, students, and visiting scholars. 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.