National IT Survey Highlights Teaching and Learning Trends
Please complete the survey if you’re selected this year
Since 2006, EDUCAUSE, the professional association for IT in higher education, has conducted an annual survey of students about their technology usage and preferences and, beginning in 2014, a survey of faculty on similar topics. In 2023, nearly 2,000 students from across 10 U.S. institutions participated in the study.
With the exception of 2014, UMBC has participated every year in this ongoing research. The resulting longitudinal data have helped us benchmark trends, such as the increasing ubiquity of smart devices. These insights have, in turn, led to advancements, including the adoption of phone-based responseware.
As with previous administrations of these surveys, this year we will randomly select 25% of UMBC students and faculty to participate. If you are among those selected, you will receive an invitation later this week. Please complete the survey to help us better understand and support your needs. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us enhance technology services and support.
Reflecting on the insights gained from previous years’ participation, the results of the 2023 surveys offer valuable perspectives on student and faculty preferences.
The 2023 Student and Faculty surveys were deployed beginning last September. The results revealed student preference shifting toward online and hybrid instructional options. On a Likert scale ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree, 30% of respondents expressed a preference for online learning, 40% disagreed with this sentiment, and the remaining 30% were neutral. Furthermore, 88% of respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that students should have the autonomy to choose the instructional modality that best suits them.
Figure 1: Every student should be able to participate in course activities in whatever ways work best for them (Students)
Students often choose alternatives to traditional face-to-face instruction due to various external factors, such as family and work commitments or accessibility limitations with campus-based instruction. For these individuals, the absence of alternative formats can pose an insurmountable barrier to accessing higher education opportunities, both generally and, more specifically, at UMBC. Our faculty respondents acknowledge this individual preference for instructional format, with 76% identifying flexibility in teaching modality as either “Important” or “Very Important”.
Figure 2: How important is policy supporting flexibility in teaching modality? (Faculty)
Flexibility in instructional modality was also a principal theme highlighted by EDUCAUSE when providing their survey reflections and next steps.
Image by Freepik
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Since 2006, EDUCAUSE, the professional association for IT in higher education, has conducted an annual survey of students about their technology usage and preferences and, beginning in 2014, a...
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Mon, 28 Oct 2024 11:19:02 -0400
Mon, 28 Oct 2024 11:49:45 -0400
Check out the Fall edition of "The Insider!"
As part of our
ongoing commitment to engaging the campus community, Human Resources &
Strategic Talent Management (HRSTM) created The Insider newsletter to provide important updates, insights, and highlights from
each HRSTM unit.
Highlights of this edition include:
- State of MD Open Enrollment details
- Leader's Corner - Resources for managers at all levels
- Important updates from Talent Acquisitions
We invite you to take a moment out of your day to read the latest updates. Also, you can download a copy to digitally share with your colleagues or print a few copies to place in the gathering spaces of your office.
Tuesday, November 12th at 12:00pm.
The holiday season can be joyful, but it can also be challenging. Whether you're caring for aging relatives, juggling the demands of parenting, or dealing with the absence of a loved one, you might find yourself feeling overwhelmed. If this sounds familiar, this session is for you.
Join Letisha Bereola, back by popular demand, for practical, no-nonsense strategies to make the season more manageable and enjoyable. No spa day suggestions here, just down-to-earth tips that can make a difference. Sign up for free today.
By registering for this webinar, you will receive a follow
up communication with the playback link of the live session.
Want to become a Care.com member? Sign up easily with your UMBC email address here to receive subsidized childcare or elder care, as well as the LifeMart Discount program, to gain access to thousands of discounts nationwide!
Please share this information with your departments.
Please join us for a live, virtual Open Enrollment Information Session hosted by the HRSTM Benefits & Wellness team on Wednesday, 10/16/2024 at 12:00pm via Webex. No need to register, you can join via this Webex link.
In this session, we will discuss the following information and more!
- The new prescription vendor, MedImpact.
- What’s
New for 2025 and who
needs to make changes.
- The OneLogin process for your SPS Workday account.
- State
of Maryland Wellness activities - 2025 is a reset year.
- Healthcare Flexible
Spending account – new annual limit!
Please mark your calendar and use this Webex
link to join the session.
Not able to attend the information session? No worries! The session will be recorded and posted to the HRSTM Benefits Open Enrollment website by 10/22/2024.
]]>
Please share this information with your departments. Please join us for a live, virtual Open Enrollment Information Session hosted by the HRSTM Benefits & Wellness team on Wednesday,...
https://hr.umbc.edu/benefits/open-enrollment/
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Tue, 15 Oct 2024 08:57:23 -0400
October is National Learning & Development Month!
What will your learning goal be?
NATIONAL LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT MONTH is here!
National Learning and Development Month encourages us to focus on broadening and advancing our skills. You have an entire month to learn something new and develop a new skill or technique!
It's important in both our professional and personal lives to keep learning. Whether we take a management class at night or learn another language, both keep our minds sharp, improves our confidence and has the added benefit of looking good on our resume.
"The beautiful thing about learning is no one can take it away from you." ~BB King
Life gets busy and many times the goals we set for ourselves get put on the back burner. Rededicate yourself this month to developing those skills to reach those goals.
HOW TO OBSERVE
There are many ways to get started. Simply reading a book can be the first step to a new interest. Take an online class or find a mentor. Network with others who have a common goal and learn together.
Take a course or earn a badge on UMBC's Skillsoft/Percipio platform provided to staff and faculty. Need an account? Email Melody Wright, Learning & Development Manager, (
melodyw@umbc.edu) for account creation.
Dear
UMBC Community,
Please save the date for the 2024
Service Awards Ceremony as we celebrate UMBC’s staff and their
dedicated years of service to the State of
Maryland and UMBC. This year’s theme is “Care and Connect,” emphasizing the importance of community and recognition.
This in-person event will feature a catered lunch, exciting prizes, and more!
2024 Annual Service Awards Ceremony
Retriever Activity Center
Thursday, December 5, 2024
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
A formal invitation with additional registration and event
details will be coming soon!
Human Resources & Strategic Talent Management
]]>
Dear UMBC Community, Please save the date for the 2024 Service Awards Ceremony as we celebrate UMBC’s staff and their dedicated years of service to the State of Maryland and UMBC. This year’s...
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Mon, 14 Oct 2024 10:32:04 -0400
October Wellness Webinars-Part II
October is Women's health month!
Please see below some
October Wellness webinars provided by the State Employee Benefits
Division. Register now to
secure your spot!
While this month's focus is
Women's Health, there are plenty of opportunities to get the whole family
involved in their wellness this month. Remember,
you and your covered family members can get no-cost flu shots at any network
pharmacy using your CVS prescription card.
Mindful
Mondays:
Monday, 10/21, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: The
Magic of Stretching for Mental Health
Have you ever started your day with energy, eager to tackle the
day ahead only to find that initial burst of enthusiasm fading and replaced by
stress and worry? Stretching can be a switch that resets you back to
enthusiasm and optimism. Learn how to tap into this magic to re-focus and get
on-demand relief!
Register
for 10/21 The Magic of Stretching for Good Mental Health
Monday, 10/28, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: The
Magic of Meditation for Mental Health
From reducing stress and improving problem-solving to physically
changing your brain to a younger version, meditation can be magical. This
session is for everyone - seasoned meditators and those new to meditation are
invited!
Register
for 10/28 The Magic of Meditation for Good Mental Health
Tuesday Wellness from the
Kitchen with Chef Sandra Lewis:
Tuesday, 10/22, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Baked Ziti
Get ready to dive into cheesy goodness with Chef Sandra's Baked
Ziti recipe! Loaded with zesty sauce, melty cheese, and tender pasta. Perfect
as a fall dish, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s easy, fun, and totally
irresistible!
Register
for 10/22 Baked Ziti
Tuesday, 10/29, 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm: Fruit Crisp
Perfect as a fall dessert, juicy fall fruits turn into a
masterpiece with an oatmeal, butter, and brown sugar crumb topping. This easy,
delightful dessert will quickly become your fall go-to favorite. Let's crisp
things up together!
Register for 10/29 Fruit Crisp
Healthy U Wednesdays: Women's
Health Latest Updates:
Wednesday, 10/16, 11:00 am -
11:45 am: Women's Emotional Health
Women will learn about anger management, how to boost happiness,
ways to reduce stress and heal with humor.
Register
for 10/16 Women's Emotional Health
Wednesday, 10/23, 11:00 am - 11:45 am:
Social Well-Being 101
Join experts as they discuss aging, relationships, and ways to
increase connections for enhanced social well-being.
Register
for 10/23 Social Well-Being 101
Wednesday, 10/30, 11:00 am - 11:45 am:
Personal Connections through Community
This live webinar takes a deep dive into the concept of
community as experts explain how to identify and connect with your community
for long-term health benefits.
Register
for 10/30 Personal Connections Through Community
Thursday Health Focus: The Healthy
Weight Series!
Thursday, 10/17, 11:00 am - 11:45 am:
Building Healthy Eating Habits
With a focus on healthy eating, you will compare and contrast
your current eating habits to develop a healthy eating plan that works for your
food preferences.
Register
for 10/17 Building Healthier Eating Habits
Thursday, 10/24, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Move
More, Sit Less!
What movements work for you? Answer: the ones you enjoy and will
do! Learn the physical and mental benefits of movement and develop a plan that
works for you.
Register
for 10/24 Move More, Sit Less
Thursday, 10/31, 11:00 am - 11:45 am:
Handling Challenges to Stay Motivate
We've all experienced a challenge that derails us from
maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Learn strategies to keep you motivated through
lapses and plateaus.
Register
for 10/31 Handling Challenges to Stay Motivated
Unwind Time Fridays: Just let
go!
Friday, 10/18, 11:00 am - 11:15 am:
Letting Go of Obsessive Thoughts About the Past
Remember having a loose tooth as a child and touching it with your
tongue to wiggle it? Obsessive thoughts can be like a loose tooth.
This pattern of repetitive thinking about something is hard to stop.
Try this meditation and get relief!
Register
for 10/18 Letting Go of Obsessive Thoughts
Friday, 10/25, 11:00 am - 11:15 am:
Letting Go of Your Inner Critic
Oh, that voice in your head that won't be quiet! Often it is
a judging, fault-finding, shaming voice. Learn how to silence it and take
control in this 15-minute guided meditation.
Register for 10/25 Letting Go of Your Inner Critic
]]>
Please see below some October Wellness webinars provided by the State Employee Benefits Division. Register now to secure your spot! While this month's focus is Women's Health, there are...
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Fri, 11 Oct 2024 07:50:09 -0400
Featured webinar from Care.com
From Surviving to Thriving!
October 15th - 12:00pm ET
If you’re caring for your children, aging parents, or even both, you don’t need us to tell you how tough it can be. You’re living it. What you need is real support, validation, and coping techniques you can use NOW.
Alexandra Drane is the co-founder and CEO of Archangels, the groundbreaking organization that’s laser-focused on creating a culture of understanding and support for caregivers. Join Alexandra for a free webinar with customized tips that you can put into practice no matter how overwhelmed you are. Yes, even you.
Register HERE. By registering for this webinar, you will receive a follow up communication with the playback link of the live session.
]]>
From Surviving to Thriving October 15th - 12:00pm ET If you’re caring for your children, aging parents, or even both, you don’t need us to tell you how tough it can be. You’re living...
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Thu, 10 Oct 2024 16:01:48 -0400
World Mental Health Day
October 10, 2024
World Mental Health Day is observed every October 10 in an effort to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize support for those in need. The day
also serves as an important reminder to not take our own mental health for granted.
As we think about mental health resources, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) via Guidance Resources is available to faculty, staff and their household members.
What is mental health?
• Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
• It affects how we think, feel, and act.
• It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.
Mental health can also be considered “emotional health” or “overall well-being” because it’s every bit as important as good physical health.
We all have times when we feel sad, stressed or anxious. Most of the time those feelings pass without issue, but sometimes they develop into a more serious problem. When that happens, it’s important to get help.
If you or a loved one is experiencing mental health issues, contact your Employee Assistance Program through Guidance Resources. They offer free, confidential counselling and other resources to get you back to feeling your best.
With the October update to Ultra, instructors can gamify their courses or spark learner engagement and motivation using course achievements. Built on performance criteria (e.g., graded items), achievements are visible to students from the main navigation bar. This exciting update provides support for self-directed pathways, offering increased flexibility for assessment and student learning outcomes.
Image 1: Example of badge creation screen in Ultra course
Note: Achievements will be enabled on our production site by October 7.
With the release of the AI Course Design Assistant, instructors benefit from time-saving support for test question creation among other tools. This month's update provides the option to generate test questions directly in a question bank. Refining questions is provided either by entering a description of the learning objective(s) or topic or by selecting course materials, such as Ultra Documents or course files (e.g., readings, handouts, presentations). As with generating test questions directly in a test, instructors can specify the question type, complexity, number of questions, and output language.
Image 2: Example of auto-generating questions in a question bank
Improvements to the student submission review page will make it easier for students to access instructor feedback, including additional labels and other indicators, to help students easily find the information they need. Students now have a Read more option for overall and attempt feedback.
A new Mastery tab in the Gradebook will allow instructors and students to see how their activities align with institutional and/or program goals. Based on the goal performance scale set by UMBC, the tab displays the mastery of each alignment (e.g., Distinguished, Proficient, Foundational, etc.). The Mastery tab enables instructors to view the level of mastery per alignment for each student and how each student is performing against those alignments. Note: UMBC is planning to launch the Mastery tab for SP2025.
Image 3: Example of instructor's view of student's mastery of program goals in a course
Additional updates for October include:
- A Needs reconciling section now appears on the gradebook Overview tab. In this section, reconcilers can easily access all items ready for reconciliation.
- Blackboard expanded discussion notifications to include email. Emails are sent when users opt for "Email me right away" notifications.
- Blackboard made several usability improvements to Ultra Documents including inserting files from the Content Collection.
- Instructors will experience faster loading when scrolling in the Student list, posting grades, and viewing rubrics in Flexible Grading.
- For larger classes with more than 2000 enrollments, the Flexible Grading page loads 25% faster.
Faculty should see the latest updates in their Ultra courses around October 3-4, 2024. The next update to our Ultra test environment will take place on October 8, 2024; release notes are posted to the What's New in Ultra that same week. Faculty who are interested in test driving new features before they are released to production should open an RT ticket to request early access. Please watch the FAQs, including the What's New with Ultra page, and myUMBC for additional information about Ultra.
Connect with Instructional Technology
As always, if you have any questions about teaching, learning, and technology at UMBC, please consider the following options:
Thumbnail-image: New to Ultra [decorative]