University Online Learning Initiative

Hi everyone,

As library representative to the university’s online learning advisory committee I wanted to share with you some "library relevant" developments in the university’s online learning initiative. Although the office for online learning is situation on the Providence campus, the advisory committee is comprised of reps from all campuses.


1. During the latest committee meeting, it was reinforced that while the university is establishing online learning as a way to enhance educational opportunities, there is no plan afoot to have online programs replace face-to-face (F2F) programs.

2. The university has established an online platform which has been named ulearn (similar to uconnect). It is based on Angel® course management software. The site is still in pilot phase and not widely available however committee members are test-driving it for the purpose of committee communication.

3. Based on prior research, and in cooperation with reps from all campuses, the university has decided that the first courses to be made available as online courses will be: FSM3001; HOSP3050; HOSP4060; PSYCH2001; and ENG0001

4. The proposed launch for these courses will be in winter of the 08-09 academic year.

5. In the initial phase, online courses will be available only to students already enrolled at any one of the J&W campuses. (This means that students will already have a J number and library barcode.)

6. Prior to launching the courses, faculty assigned to teaching them will participate in a 7-week training course.

7. Particularly during the pilot phase of the course launch, systematic surveys will be used to assess satisfaction with the program.

8. In addition to making ulearn available for online courses, the interface will eventually also be available as a supplementary tool for all faculty to use in association with the delivery of F2F learning.


Some of the issues I have addressed at committee meetings are the potential for a single university login to apply to proprietary information resources; instructions for faculty on connecting a ulearn course interface with library resources; and copyright.

As the university moves towards the launch of online learning, it is important for us to plan on how best to make sure that we can deliver to remote learners library resources and services comparable in quality to those available to on-campus learners.


Please post comments and questions.


Thanks,


Rosie