The MDE blog

Spring'2012 MDE Orientation starts January 30th!

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Porto) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:49:00 +0000

Hello everyone!

Spring 2012 semester is just around the corner... Once again we will be running the MDE Orientation on the second week of class (running from Jan 30th through February 8th).

The MDE Orientation is always a great opportunity for NEW students to get acquainted with the program, and learn how to get started with their ePortfolio, as well as to ask questions about their study plans and understand the program more fully. There are some novelties in the Spring 2012 edition of the orientation, including a wonderful opportunity to take part in the first MDE cohort of the Learn-to-Learn 5-week course, from the Bridge-to-Success (B2S) project at UMUC.

It is a renewed opportunity for current students to refresh their minds about the existing information, as well as stop during one week, reflect on their learning from past semesters, build onto their ePortfolio, plan their studies and reflect critically on how to be better prepared for their research project at the end of the program. It also provides a great place to connect with other classmates and discuss issues related to the job market.

For graduates, it is an opportunity to share your experience, consider opportunities of engaging with the program in a more active way, share suggestions, and just enhance you network with fellow alumni and new students.

For MDE faculty, it is an opportunity to have exchanges with students and alumni in an informal setting, learn about their concerns and share your views about how to be better prepared for the program, for the capstone and as a professional distance educator.

I invited you all to join me between January 30 and February 8 inside the OMDE 101 9999 0906 tycho classroom (note the section 0906).

If you have never joined the orientation before, please visit http://mdeprogram.weebly.com/mde-orientation-resources.html and follow the procedures indicated there. (Basically, what I need from you is your login username in Tycho, so I can get you rostered in the class.)

If you have any questions, you can send me an email at sporto@umuc.edu

best,
--Stella.

Bridge to Success Learning Coaches: opportunities for the MDE

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Porto) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:27:00 +0000

Here is an interesting opportunity for MDE graduates or VERY senior MDE students!

Bridge for Success is a project involving several institutions and foundations, including UMUC. This has created a wonderful opportunity for those interested in engaging in e-learning activities with the skills and competencies they have developed as distance educators.

Bridge to Success (http://b2s.aacc.edu/)

"Bridge to Success (B2S) offers open, free content to cross the barrier to gaining the skills to learn, providing "bridging" content in mathematics and learning to learn. The bridging approach has been shown to increase learner capability and confidence, encourage participation, and contribute to the progression of a certificate or degree completion."

"Bridge to Success is made possible through a Next Generation Learning Challenge grant awarded to Anne Arundel Community College, the Open University (UK), University of Maryland University College (UMUC) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). NGLC is led by EDUCAUSE in partnership with The League for Innovation in the Community College, the International Association of K-12 Online Learning and the Council of Chief State School Officers. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation helped design the Next Generation Learning Challenges and fund the initiative."

So here is the opportunity...

There are now 3 open spots for MDE graduates (or very senior students) as 'Learning Coaches' associated and paid through this project to work with the Open content, starting with the course modules from Learn-to-Learn:

Learning to Learn provides opportunities for students to identify prior learning and life experiences that will help them transition to more formal learning, identify individual strengths and skills and set goals for personal and professional development.

The link for the course is:

http://labspace.open.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=7442

What should learning coaches will be doing?

Be familiar with the course material
Determine how course will be delivered: Will it be self-pace? or Will there be deadlines for units? Will students have to submit anything in the classroom or to the coach
Invite pre-selected pool of students to join the course
Ensure that students have registered for an Open Learning course
Provide a short orientation for students to Lab Space and to the course
Highlight certain topics in the course as a method of encouraging students to participate
Ask students to fill out the pre-assessment questions
Use discussion forum in Lab Space to engage with students throughout the five units
Email students that are not present in the course and ask them to review the materials
Be available throughout the course to answer student questions as students proceed through the course
Ask students to fill out post-assessment questions

For MDE Learning Coaches, we are planning to have them connected and working with a cohort from Core4women (http://www.core4women.org), a cohort for new and prospective MDE students, and another selected cohort from UMUC prospective students.

If you are interested in engage in this wonderful opportunity, please send me an email sporto@umuc.edu by December 9th. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me as well.

best,

--Stella.

The MDE Weekly - Nov.15

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Porto) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:03:00 +0000

New version of the MDE Weekly is out! Lots of news and new information in distance education and e-learning.

The MDE Weekly

MDE Weekly - October 23, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Porto) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 20:12:00 +0000

Fall'2011 MDE Orientation starts September 20th

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Porto) — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Hello everyone!

Fall 2011 will be starting soon, and once again we will be running the MDE Orientation. HOWEVER, this term the orientation starts in the third week of class (because of conflicting travel), starting therefore on September 20th and running through the 30th.

The MDE Orientation is always a great opportunity for NEW students to get acquainted with the program, and learn how to get started with their ePortfolio, as well as to ask questions about their study plans and understand the program more fully. There is a lot more in the Fall 2011 edition of the orientation when it comes to study plans, advising and details about each of the resources available to the MDE community.

It is a renewed opportunity for current students to refresh their minds about the existing information, as well as stop during one week, reflect on their learning from past semesters, build onto their ePortfolio, plan their studies and reflect critically on how to be better prepared for their research project at the end of the program. It also provides a great place to connect with other classmates and discuss issues related to the job market.

For graduates, it is an opportunity to share your experience, consider opportunities of engaging with the program in a more active way, share suggestions, and just enhance you network with fellow alumni and new students.

For MDE faculty, it is an opportunity to have exchanges with students and alumni in an informal setting, learn about their concerns and share your views about how to be better prepared for the program, for the capstone and as a professional distance educator.

I invited you all to join me between September 20 and 30 inside the OMDE 101 9999 0906 tycho classroom (note the section 0906).

If you have never joined the orientation before, please visit http://mdeprogram.weebly.com/mde-orientation-resources.html and follow the procedures indicated there. (Basically, what I need from you is your login username in Tycho, so I can get you rostered in the class.)

If you have any questions, you can send me an email at sporto@umuc.edu

best,
--Stella.

Summer 2011 Newsletter - The MDE hub

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Porto) — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 04:11:00 +0000

Hi everyone! We would like to invite you to read our latest newsletter:
Summer 2011 Newsletter - The MDE hub

It has been a while, so this newsletter brings a ton of updates about the program, faculty, graduates and students of our MDE community. We also have many great events to share. Please take a few minutes to look through our recent newsletter.

best,
--Stella.

MDE Orientation Summer 2011 starts June 7th!

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Porto) — Fri, 06 May 2011 15:10:00 +0000

Hello everyone!

Summer 2011 will be starting soon, and once again we will be running the MDE Orientation during the second week of class, starting therefore on June 7th and running through the 16th.

The MDE Orientation is always a great opportunity for NEW students to get acquainted with the program, and learn how to get started with their ePortfolio, as well as to ask questions about their study plans and understand the program more fully. There is a lot more in the Summer 2011 edition of the orientation when it comes to study plans, advising and details about each of the resources available to the MDE community.

It is a renewed opportunity for current students to refresh their minds about the existing information, as well as stop during one week, reflect on their learning from past semesters, build onto their ePortfolio, plan their studies and reflect critically on how to be better prepared for their research project at the end of the program. It also provides a great place to connect with other classmates and discuss issues related to the job market.

For graduates, it is an opportunity to share your experience, consider opportunities of engaging with the program in a more active way, share suggestions, and just enhance you network with fellow alumni and new students.

For MDE faculty, it is an opportunity to have exchanges with students and alumni in an informal setting, learn about their concerns and share your views about how to be better prepared for the program, for the capstone and as a professional distance educator.

I invited you all to join me between June 7th and 16th inside the OMDE 101 9999 0906 tycho classroom (note the section 0906).

If you have never joined the orientation before, please visit http://mdeprogram.weebly.com/mde-orientation-resources.html and follow the procedures indicated there. (Basically, what I need from you is your login username in Tycho, so I can get you rostered in the class.)

If you have any questions, you can send me an email at sporto@umuc.edu

best,
--Stella.

Important change in MDE staring summer'2011

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Porto) — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 21:53:00 +0000

Hello everyone!

I'd like to share with you an important change in the MDE, namely the end of the TMAN-DETC degree and the creation of a new dual degree for MDE and TMAN students/graduates.

The following document is of special interest to students in the Technology Management masters program, taking the Distance Education Technology (DETC) specialization. It also discusses the new dual degree available starting this summer for MDE students, where MDE graduates will be able to complete a secondary degree in Technology Management (TMAN) by completing 18 TMAN credits, and TMAN graduates (excluding those with DETC specialization) will be able to complete a secondary degree in Distance Education (MDE) by completing 18 MDE credits (6 courses).

Read the details here:
General-communication-of-Change for TMAN-MDE.doc - Google Docs

Meanwhile, I have also made available a FAQ document about the changes.

Please note that the name and description of DETC 630 has just changed, and will show up in its new form starting Fall'2011.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

All the best,
--Stella Porto (sporto@umuc.edu)

DETC 630: New course title and description

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Porto) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 23:25:00 +0000

Hi everyone!

DETC 630 - http://www.umuc.edu/programs/grad/courses/detccat.shtml#detc630 is about to change...

The new approved title is

Emerging Technology Trends and Issues in Distance Education and E-learning

And the new Course Description has been developed and approved as:

An examination of emerging and advanced technologies that affect teaching and learning, as well as areas of support and management, in the field of distance education. Topics include emerging synchronous and asynchronous technology functions, mobile technologies, and social media tools for development and delivery, as well as technologies used in providing learner, faculty, and managerial support to distance education. Technologies are explored critically in both a theoretical and applied contexts. Analysis covers trends and critical issues associated with the adoption of such technologies.

We will start developing the new course so it is ready and approved for the Fall Semester. This will be the new information available on the web soon and in the 2011-2012 Catalog.

best,
--Stella

MDE Orientation Spring 2011 starts February 3rd!

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Porto) — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 13:11:00 +0000

Hello everyone!

Spring 2011 term has just started, and we are about to open our MDE Orientation this coming Thursday (February 3rd).

This time around we have a completely different look for the orientation. Conferences have been re-structured and we are offering a special training within the conference on using Diigo social bookmarking and being introduce to the existing MDEBookmarks Diigo group. We invite everyone to come join, and learn how social bookmarking can benefit you and everyone in the program.

The MDE Orientation is always a great opportunity for NEW students to get acquainted with the program, and learn how to get started with their ePortfolio, as well as to ask questions about their study plans and understand the program more fully. There is a lot more in the Spring 2011 edition of the orientation when it comes to study plans, advising and details about each of the resources available to the MDE community.

It is a renewed opportunity for current students to refresh their minds about the existing information, as well as stop during one week, reflect on their learning from past semesters, build onto their ePortfolio, plan their studies and reflect critically on how to be better prepared for their research project at the end of the program. It also provides a great place to connect with other classmates and discuss issues related to the job market.

For graduates, it is an opportunity to share your experience, consider opportunities of engaging with the program in a more active way, share suggestions, and just enhance you network with fellow alumni and new students.

For MDE faculty, it is an opportunity to have exchanges with students and alumni in an informal setting, learn about their concerns and share your views about how to be better prepared for the program, for the capstone and as a professional distance educator.

I invited you all to join me between February 3rd and 12th inside the OMDE 101 9999 0906 tycho classroom (note the section 0906).

If you have never joined the orientation before, please visit http://mdeprogram.weebly.com/mde-orientation-resources.html and follow the procedures indicated there. (Basically, what I need from you is your login username in Tycho, so I can get you rostered in the class.)

If you have any questions, you can send me an email at sporto@umuc.edu

best,
--Stella.

Feedback (MDE Virtual conference)

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Porto) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 17:52:00 +0000

The 1st MDE Conference has ended, and now we would like to hear from you.

If you have or not participated in the conference, please take a moment to answer a few questions.

It should take no more than 5 to 10 minutes, and it will have enormous value for the organizers of the conference.

Thank you so much!

Feedback (MDE Virtual conference)

Closing (Stella Porto) (MDE Virtual conference)

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Porto) — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 01:45:00 +0000

Hi everyone -

here is the recording of our second synchronous closing event of the MDE Virtual Conference...

Closing (Stella Porto) (MDE Virtual conference)

We are at the very end of our conference, and it has been a great pleasure seeing so many of you taking part in it.

Please make sure you visit the WT classroom and post your feedback and suggestions. Conference area in WT will be open for writing until Friday.
Everything will be open for reading for some months.

I will be in contact with everyone with a short survey very soon. Please take a moment to respond, even if you have not attended the conference.

all the best,
--Stella.

Closing (Stella Porto) (MDE Virtual conference)

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Porto) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 19:44:00 +0000

Hi everyone!

We just held our first closing event of the conference.
Get the information here...

Closing (Stella Porto) (MDE Virtual conference)

We will be holding another event later this evening at 7:00 pm (EST) in the same wimba room. Information available in the conference wiki.

best,
--Stella.

Final Updates... - MDE Virtual conference

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Porto) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 20:50:00 +0000

Hi everyone!

We are heading to the end of our 1st MDE Virtual Conference... The closing synchronous event is tomorrow - check the schedule. We will also be saying 'goodbyes' inside the conference area, and we would love to hear from you...

Final Updates... - MDE Virtual conference

Starting Thursday, I will be closing the conferences for writing, but they will be accessible for reading for still some time. There is definitely incredible richness in all the discussions we held throughout these past 10 days. I will also be contacting you with some questions for future planning.

Once again thank you for your participation. I will be in touch for a few days still...

best,
--Stella.

Update Day # 7 - MDE Virtual conference

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Porto) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 16:48:00 +0000

Here are the updates for Day 7 in the MDE Virtual Conference...

Update Day # 7 - MDE Virtual conference

We are heading to our closing this Wednesday. Make sure you catch up with the events you have been following, and send us your feedback.
Check out the schedule for the closing synchronous events this Wednesday @ noon and 7:00pm (EST), through Wimba.

best,
--Stella.

Days 5 & 6 updates... - MDE Virtual conference

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Porto) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 21:57:00 +0000

The MDE Virtual Conference continues throughout the weekend, and it might be that this is when you will have time to join us! It is still ongoing and there is still time for you to participate...
Here are some notes and updates from Days 5 & 6, which also contains a look ahead on events to happen in the next few days!

Days 5 & 6 updates... - MDE Virtual conference

For those visiting the site for the first time... please check out ALL the updates, which includes information concerning registration...
For those who have NOT yet registered, please check Registration & contact me via email (sporto@umuc.edu) ASAP.
For those who are registered but for some reason are not rostered in the conference WT classroom (OMDE 001 0001), please let me know ASAP as well.

Enjoy!

Day 4 updates... - MDE Virtual conference

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Porto) — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 14:37:00 +0000

Here are our daily updates for the 4th day of the MDE Virtual Conference

Day 4 updates... - MDE Virtual conference

For those visiting the site for the first time... please check out ALL the updates, which includes information concerning registration...
For those who have NOT yet registered, please check Registration & contact me via email (sporto@umuc.edu) ASAP.
For those who are registered but for some reason are not rostered in the conference WT classroom (OMDE 001 0001), please let me know ASAP as well.

The activities in the conference continue throughout the weekend, including a few synchronous events...

Enjoy!

Update on Day 3... - MDE Virtual conference

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Porto) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 12:27:00 +0000

Here is our daily update on what is going in the MDE Virtual Conference...
Presenters summarize discussions and bring highlights from the asynchronous interaction taking place...
A schedule of upcoming synchronous events is also include.

Update on Day 3... - MDE Virtual conference

Enjoy!

MDE Orientation Spring 2011 - Save the date! (02/03 - 02/12)

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Porto) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 22:16:00 +0000

Hello everyone!

We are very close to the Spring 2011 term start, and I wanted to remind you that once again we will be running our MDE Orientation during the 2nd week of class.

This is an important opportunity for NEW students to get acquainted with the program, and learn how to get started with their ePortfolio, as well as to ask questions about their study plans and understand the program more fully. I highly recommend that ALL new students take part in this orientation, because they will also learn about many of the supporting resources available to them outside of the classroom.

It is a renewed opportunity for current students to stop during one week, reflect on their learning from past semesters, build onto their ePortfolio, plan their studies and reflect critically on how to be better prepared for their research project at the end of the program. It also provides a great place to connect with other classmates and discuss issues related to the job market.

For graduates, it is an opportunity to share your experience, consider opportunities of engaging with the program in a more active way, share suggestions, and just enhance you network with fellow alumni and new students.

For MDE faculty, it is an opportunity to have exchanges with students and alumni in an informal setting, learn about their concerns and share your views about how to be better prepared for the program, for the capstone and as a professional distance educator.

I invited you all to join me between February 3rd and 12th inside the OMDE 101 0906 tycho classroom (note the section 0906).

If you have never joined the orientation before, please visit http://mdeprogram.weebly.com/mde-orientation-resources.html and follow the procedures indicated there. (Basically, what I need from you is your login username in Tycho, so I can get you rostered in the class.)

If you have any questions, you can send me an email at sporto@umuc.edu

best,
--Stella.

Update on Day 2 of the MDE Virtual Conference - MDE Virtual conference

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Porto) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 14:08:00 +0000

The MDE Virtual Conference continues, and here are the updates from Day 2...

Update on Day 2 of the MDE Virtual Conference - MDE Virtual conference

Enjoy!

Here are some updates from Day 1 of the MDE Virtual Conference - MDE Virtual conference

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Porto) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 15:34:00 +0000

Our MDE Virtual Conference started yesterday...
Here is what happened and what is scheduled for the upcoming days...

Here are some updates from Day 1 of the MDE Virtual Conference - MDE Virtual conference

Enjoy!

Ready to start... - MDE Virtual conference

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Porto) — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 18:57:00 +0000

Hello everyone...

So it has finally arrived, and we are ready to start... If you didn't have the chance to register and you're interested in participating, you're still very welcome. Just read the information, register and take part in a great 10 days of discussion of many interesting topics in distance education!

Ready to start... - MDE Virtual conference

all the best,
--Stella.

MDE Virtual Conference (Jan 17-26, 2011) - Start date approaching!

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Porto) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 14:43:00 +0000

Hello everyone!

We are getting very close to the start of the 1st MDE Virtual Conference. If you haven't signed up yet, there is still time...

Go to MDE Virtual Conference to find out about all the events that will take place during the conference, virtually between January 17-26, 2011. Save the date and register NOW! You can take part in all or only a few of the events taking place throughout the week.

Please visit the registration page, so we can make place for everyone, and manage all the events appropriately.

This conference is a wonderful opportunity to learn and connect with the MDE community through a variety of events both synchronous and asynchronous during 10 active days... Several of your peers and faculty will be offering different events on distinct topics that we are sure will interest many of you.

Check out everything that is available by visiting the Summary of events page. Then go on to the registration page and choose all the events that interest you!

We count on your participation to make this conference truly successful!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me at sporto@umuc.edu.

all the best,

--Stella

Register now for the 1st MDE Virtual Conference...

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Porto) — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 14:26:00 +0000

Happy New Year, everyone!

The clock is moving fast and we're getting very close to the start of our 1st MDE Virtual Conference taking place virtually between January 17-26, 2011. Save the date and register NOW! You can take part in all or only a few of the events taking place throughout the week.

Please visit the registration page, so we can make place for everyone, and manage all the events appropriately.

Check out everything that is available by visiting the Summary of events page. Then go on to the registration page and choose all the events that interest you!

We count on your participation to make this conference truly successful!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me at sporto@umuc.edu.

all the best,

--Stella

Save the date! MDE Virtual Conference (Jan 17-26)

noreply@blogger.com (Stella Porto) — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 14:58:00 +0000

Hi everyone!

Here is a reminder for the 1st MDE Virtual Conference taking place virtually between January 17-26, 2011. Save the date! You can take part in all or only a few of the events taking place throughout the week.

Before the New Year, make sure you pre-register, so we can make place for everyone, and manage all the events appropriately.

Check out everything that is available by visiting the Summary of events page. Then go on to the pre-registration page and choose all the events that interest you!

We count on your participation to make this conference truly successful!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me at sporto@umuc.edu.

all the best,

--Stella