Save the date! Next MDE orientation scheduled for Jun 2-8

UPDATE: This summer we will be using a Tycho class with NG (New Generation) features. Most classes at UMUC are not yet using these features, so this is a great opportunity to have a taste of the changes coming in the fall. Thus, the class we will be using is OMDE 101 9999. I will automatically have everyone from OMDE 101 0001 rostered into this other section. For anyone, interested in joining us this term, please email me with information of your tycho login.


Hello everyone -

Summer semester is around the corner, and we will be once more running our MDE orientation workshop during the second week of the term. As it has been the case before, the MDE orientation is a wonderful place to get started/continue your progress on your e-portfolio and your research project. This time around we will have also the presence of a UMUC librarian, who will help us brush-up our research and writing skills. The MDE orientation is also a place to discuss other aspects of the program and receive extra academic advising.

Make sure you save the date: Tue, June 2nd through Mon, Jun 8th.

For MDE faculty teaching in the summer, please announce this in your classes. For students who have taken the orientation before, and recognize its value, please spread the word.

If you have NOT yet participated in the MDE orientation, please send me an email, so I can roster you in the Tycho class (OMDE 101). Those who have participated before should have this class in the their list of Tycho classes.

best,
--Stella.

Commencement 2009

Hello everyone!

Commencement at UMUC for the 2009 class will take place on Saturday, May 16th. MDE students are assigned to the afternoon ceremony, which starts at 4 pm. On Friday, May 15th there is graduation party at UMUC headquarters in Adelphi, starting at 6:30 pm. If you are planning to come, to both or just one of these events, please send me an email (sporto@umuc.edu) with your contact number. We will certainly have time to celebrate on the 15th during the party, and I would like to organize a group picture after the ceremony on Saturday.

For more information and details on commencement, please visit: http://www.umuc.edu/commencement/adelphi09/index.shtml

best,
--Stella

M-2009 - 23rd ICDE World Conference on Open and Distance Education (June 7-10)

Flexible Education for All: Open Global - Innovative

A prevailing theme, fascinating speakers, excellent networking opportunities, and a beautiful location: these are the key ingredients of M-2009, the 23rd ICDE World Conference on Open and Distance Education, including the EADTU Annual Conference 2009.

From 7 to 10 June, the Open Universiteit Nederland (OUNL), the International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE), and the European Association of Distance Teaching Universities (EADTU) will bundle their energies and networks to host the M-2009 conference in Maastricht (for more information click here).

Open Educational Resources, Quality Assurance, Technology Enhanced Learning, Employability and Cultural Diversity are only some of the hot topics in open and flexible learning that will be covered during the event. An impressive list of high-level keynotes has been confirmed and top quality presentations from participants around the globe will be made.

The programme will be framed by a conference dinner in the beautiful Caverne de Geulhem, a Dine-Around in Maastricht and musical entertainment.

For more information about this very special event, a full list of keynotes, the programme, registration and all other relevant issues, please visit http://www.ou.nl/icde2009

Webcast of Terry Anderson's talk at UMUC now available

As I announced some time ago, we had the pleasure of having Terry Anderson visiting UMUC and inaugurating the 'Orkand Chair Distinguished Lecture Series' on February 19, 2009.

Christine Walti, Nick Allen, Jim Rawson and myself had the privilege to be there in person. His talk on several trends in distance education including open content, and emerging technologies was a delight for those interested in the field of distance education.

Click here to watch...
Orkand Chair Distinguished Lecture Series - UMUC

I'm sure everyone will enjoy it!

best,
--Stella.

New initiative open to UMUC students

I just learned about this today through the WebTycho interface. The initiative sounds very interesting, and maybe appealing to some you.

"Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) is an international organization that mobilizes university students around the world to make a difference in their communities while developing skills to become socially-responsible business leaders. SIFE’s global network consists of business executives, university students and academic leaders."

Although they mention 'business solutions', it says they are open to students of any academic background. Learn more visiting the following link:
Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) - Student Clubs - UMUC

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MDE presence in Facebook

Hello everyone -

following some thoughtful leads, I just created the MDE Facebook fan page: http://tinyurl.com/mdefacebookpage

For those who are Facebook users, we already have a an MDE Student Lounge group inside Facebook, so you might want to join: http://tinyurl.com/mdefacebookgroup

best,
--Stella.

The MDE Internship Program

We are happy to announce a new initiative tailored for MDE students and gradutates: The MDE Internship program. In the past, we had tried a few internship projects, and most were very successful, but there were very few available positions. Now, we are trying to revitalize this initiative, offering several opportunities, as well as working with other units of UMUC, to continuously provide other possibilities in the coming semesters.

The major goal of this initiative is to provide students and graduates with real-world experiences of DE organizations, which can be connected to the learning within the program. These experiences will help tie practice to theory, and  support a strengthened competency in the field.

The following link contains all the available positions at this time, details of activities and what you need to do to participate: MDE Internships‎

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Save the date: Terry Anderson's lecture at UMUC

(This invitation is for MDE faculty, students and graduates only.)

The UMUC Office of the Provost cordially invites you to attend the inaugural lecture of the Orkand Chair Distinguished Lecture Series on Thursday, February 19, 2009 in the UMUC Inn and Conference Center Ballroom in Adelphi, Maryland.

The lecture features Terry Anderson, PhD, Professor and Canada Research Chair in Distance Education at Athabasca University - Canada's open university. The event begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by the lecture at 6:30 p.m.

To RSVP to attend, visit www.umuc.edu/ocevent. For more information, call 301-985-7937 or e-mail eventsandarts@umuc.edu.

Spring'09 MDE e-portfolio and research project orientation

Happy New Year to everyone!

Please save the date... Between Feb 2 and 8 we will be holding our second edition of the MDE e-portfolio & research project orientation workshop.

Our pilot version, held during the second week of the fall term, was very successful. In this second issue, we will include some expanded space/time for further orientation on selecting a theme for your future final research project.

I would like to invite all MDE instructors, students and graduates to participate. Instructors will be able to provide their input to students about research project themes and the development of the their e-portfolios. Alumni will be able to share their experience and also feel motivated to revitalizing their own e-portfolios. Students at any point in the program will learn basics about both activities, and also spend some time working on their ongoing e-portfolios, while discussing research project ideas with instructors and peers. This should be a useful week long workshop for everyone.

To sign-up, just send an email to Stella Porto at sporto@umuc.edu. All participants in the fall'08 workshop will be automatically included in the spring'09 edition. If you want to be excluded from the spring'09 edition, please send an email to Stella stating your wish to have your name withdrawn from the Tycho classroom.

best,
--Stella.

Spring'09 registration

Hello everyone -

we are getting close to the end of the Fall'08 term and if you haven't yet planned your spring'09 semester, please make sure you check out your options and register.

Courses available this coming spring are: OMDE 601, OMDE 603, OMDE 606, OMDE 608, OMDE 610, OMDE 670, DETT 611, DETC 620, DEPM 604 and DEPM 609. (DETT 615 has been canceled - 1/14/09) To make your choices, using information from future semesters, please visit the 'Course availability' link on the right hand side of this blog.

Here are some links that might be useful to you at this time:

• Academic calendar for Spring'09 - http://www.umuc.edu/calendar/spring09-interior.shtml
• Tuition and fees for Spring'09 - http://www.umuc.edu/studserv/tuition/tuition_spring09_gr.shtml
• Registration process and procedures - http://www.umuc.edu/students/registration.shtml
  

We will be offering once more the orientation workshop, during the second week of class in the spring semester. This orientation focuses on providing you with guidance in building your e-portfolio, but also will help those that need some guidance in choosing their research topic for the OMDE 670 research project. I will be sending information to everyone, so you can sign-up for this orientation. (Students can attend the orientation as many times they want during their program.)

If you have any questions, you may use the MDE Lounge, or just send me a personal email.

best,
--Stella.