May 2001 University Reporter

By Tony Holmes

UMass Boston students have a new scheduling option with the introduction of web-based on-line courses, which were offered for the first time this summer through the Division of Corporate, Continuing, and Distance Education (CCDE). Two hundred and eighty students enrolled in 15 undergraduate and graduate courses.

“Both student and faculty response has been very positive,” reports CCDE Dean Dirk Messelaar, who will be teaching an on-line course this fall. “The students are attracted by the convenience, and I think they’re surprised by the uniquely personal interaction that on-line learning encourages with their instructors and classmates.”

On-line classes are structured similarly to traditional, once-a-week classes in a semester. Instead of attending class at a particular time and location, students can log on where and when they like during the week. Course materials are presented in a lively web-based format that is reinforced by threaded discussions and real-time chat sessions with the instructor and other students. Unlike many on-line course providers, UMass Boston encourages its on-line instructors to schedule several class meetings on-campus or at another location relevant to the course.

“Our hybrid model combines the richness of the on-line experience with the invaluable interactions that occur in a face-to-face situation,” explains Rick Keating, CCDE’s on-line project manager. “Bricks and mortar will never be entirely replaced by cyberspace, but there is a segment of the student population for whom on-line learning fills a definite need.”

The university has contracted with e-College, a leading provider of distance learning software and services, to manage the delivery of courses. e-College provides training for faculty to adapt their traditional course content to the on-line environment, as well as help desk support for faculty and students. “It is important to note,” points out Dean Messelaar, “that UMass Boston faculty maintain complete ownership of their on-line course content just as they do when teaching live in the classroom. Faculty are fully compensated each time a course is run.”

An additional 20 on-line courses are scheduled this fall, some fulfilling requirements for certificates in technical writing, instructional technology, and communications studies. Students will have the option to complete all certificate requirements from home or work, or combine regularly scheduled classroom courses with web-based courses. Faculty who are interested in adapting their courses for web delivery are encouraged to contact Kitty Galaitsis in the Division of Corporate, Continuing, and Distance Education at 617.287.7925 or kitty.galaitsis@umb.edu.

Students Log On to Web-Based On-Line Courses