The University of
Montana-Missoula
Online Learning: Frequently Asked Questions
Ø
What
is the best source of information for online learning at UM-M?
o
umonline.umt.edu,
the website dedicated to online learning
Ø
What
are the kinds of information that can be found there?
o
Introduction
to UMOnline
o
Student
information
-
Blackboard
tutorial
-
Blackboard
student manual
-
Registration
and Fee information
-
Getting
started
-
e-mail
requirements
-
Live
help
-
How
to log in
-
Course
schedules
-
Online
Readiness Assessment
-
Student
Services
-
Technical
Recommendations
o
Faculty
information
-
Frequently
asked questions
§
Access
questions
§
Content
questions
-
Communication
questions
-
Tips
for teaching online:
-
Blackboard
tutorial
-
Blackboard
instructor manual
-
Guidelines
for Getting started
-
Finding
answers online
-
Live
help
-
Contact
Information
Ø
Who
are the people “in charge” of online learning at UM-M?
o
Provost
Lois Muir is the senior administrator responsible for the academic components
of online learning
o
Associate
Vice President
o
Dean
Ø
How
is online learning at UM-M being funded?
o
At
the present time, online learning is “self-funded”, i.e., it is being offered
under self-support
Why is
this so, i.e. why isn’t it being offered under state-support?
o
At
the present time, there is no state appropriated money available to provide the
necessary supports for online learning.
Under self-support, the tuition paid by students sustains the total
costs of development and delivery of online courses
Ø
How
much do courses cost?
o
Tuition
for most undergraduate 3.0 credit courses is $495
o
Tuition
for most graduate 3.0 credit courses is $555
o
These
both include a $25 per credit online learning fee which is used to offset
technical costs
Ø
What
criteria apply for self-support online courses?
o
Residents
and non-residents pay the same fees
o
Financial
Aid may be available
o
No
fee waivers are granted
o
Students
register on CyberBear and fees appear on schedule/bill
o
Credits
do not count towards the flat-spot
Ø
Will
online learning ever be state-supported?
o
The
goal is to move online learning for on-campus students to state support as soon
as appropriated funds are available.
Being able to count SCH and FTE is an important facet of longer range
planning
Ø
What
kinds of technical support do
o
Support
the Blackboard Server
o
Provide
CIS Student Help Desk
o
Provide
multi-media support
Ø
What
kinds of academic infrastructure support do
o
Initiate
course development through the RFP process
o
Provide
faculty development support through training and technical and instructional
design resources
o
Maintain
close working relationships with key administrative offices across campus
including: Admissions, Registrar,
Banner, Financial Aid, Business Services
o
Maintain
close working relationships with key academic offices across campus
including: Provost, Deans, Department
Chairs,
o
Ensure
vigorous set of student services
o
Ensure
vital set of faculty services
o
Assess
student/faculty services periodically for continuous improvement
o
Plan
schedules of course delivery
o
Provide
course assessment tool for faculty use
o
Plan
budgets, monitor revenues/expenses
o
Market
programs and courses
o
Maintain
web site maintenance
Ø
Are
there any priorities for course development?
If so, what are they?
o
Yes,
there are priorities and these include the following:
-
Courses
leading to degrees, minors and endorsements
-
General
Education courses
-
Over-subscribed
courses
-
Developmental
courses
-
Professional
development courses
Ø
Who
approves the development of an online course or program?
o
All
courses must be approved by the Department Chair, the Dean of the academic
unit, the Dean of Continuing Education and the Provost
Ø
What
if I want to offer an online course, how do I get started?
o
http://umonline.umt.edu
o
Contact:
-
Sandy
Willcox at sandy.willcox@mso.umt.edu
-
Tony
Ferrini at tony.ferrini@mso.umt.edu
-
Melissa
Ø
What
kinds of supports are offered for faculty members developing an online course?
o
Consultation
with the Online Learning Course Development Team regarding instructional design
o
Blackboard
training
o
Ongoing
coaching
o
Access
to media development support
Ø
What
is the “Online Learning Course Development Team” and who are its members?
o
The
team has been assembled to provide assistance to individual faculty members as
they initiate the development of their courses; members include:
-
Melissa
-
Tony
Ferrini: Blackboard training and training
-
Sandy
Willcox: Logistical support for
development and delivery
-
Michelle
Millet: Library support services
-
Gordy
Pace: Media support services
Ø
What
if I want to do a course supplement rather than develop an entire online
course?
o
Blackboard
training
o
Ongoing
coaching
o
Contact
Tony Ferrini at tony.ferrini@mso.umt.edu
Ø
Who
owns a course I develop?
o
Refer
to UFA/CBA 14.000 Copyright and Patent
Policies; 14.100 Copyright Policy,
2.b
-
When a faculty member is: assigned work or responsibilities, or uses
University facilities, equipment, and/or assigned time, for the purpose of
developing computer programs, electronically deliverable courses, or other
electronic/digital copyrightable works, then, the works produced pursuant
thereto and all royalties therefrom shall be the property of the
University. Such assignment shall be
indicated either on the individual employment contract or in a separate
document countersigned by the employee.
Should the University and the employee agree to a division of royalties
such division must be included in the contract or in a separate document
countersigned by the employee. If the
University does not wish to copyright the work, the faculty member may obtain a
written release from the President and may then copyright the work in his/her
own name.
o
Refer
to Board of Regents Policy, 303.7 Distributed
Learning, e. Copyright
and intellectual property protection
-
i.
Universities offering technology-mediated courses shall ensure
compliance with all applicable copyright laws governing the use and
transmission of films, videotapes, recordings, performances and other protected
works as well as the reproduction of printed materials prior to offering or
transmission of the course.
-
ii.
Universities offering technology mediated courses shall ensure
compliance with all laws as well as M.U.S. or institutional policies relating
to the protection of intellectual property prior to the offering or
transmission of the course. www.montana.edu/wochelp/borpol/bor300/3037..htm
Ø
How
do I get copyright clearance for materials used in my course?
o
The
Mansfield Library’s Outreach Education Librarian can assist, however, because
materials are being used for educational purposes using limited access,
copyright permission is often not required
Ø
Who
approves the delivery of an online course?
o
All
courses must be approved by the Department Chair, the Dean of the academic
unit, the Dean of Continuing Education and, where applicable, the Dean of the
Ø
How
are faculty remunerated for teaching online as part of self-support?
o
When
a faculty member teaches as part of load, the Dean of the School or College is
given $3,500 for instructional support
o
Some
faculty receive extra-to-load stipends for teaching online; this is determined
by the Department Chair and Dean
o
In
many cases adjunct faculty teach online courses and they are paid directly
Ø
How
can we be assured that online courses are of high quality?
o
The
UMOnline team provides instructional design and technical support, while quality
of content rests with the faculty member and the academic unit
Ø
Is
online learning course development and delivery for “every” faculty member?
o
No
Ø
Is
online learning a good option for “every” student?
o
No
Ø
Is
there a tool to assess the online readiness of students?
o
Yes,
it is online at umonline.umt.edu
Ø
Will
there ever be a time when online classes replace campus-based, face-to-face
classes?
o
No
Ø
How
many courses does UM have in its online inventory at the present time?
o
o
o
o
UM-Western: 24
o
TOTAL: 187
Ø
How
many courses have been delivered since UMOnline was initiated?
o
Spring
Semester 2003: 28
o
Fall
Semester 2002: 21
o
Summer
Semester 2002: 15
o
Spring
Semester 2002: 24
Ø
What
is the enrollment history of online learning at UM-M?
o
Spring
Semester 2003: 419
o
Fall
Semester 2002: 342
o
Summer
Semester 2002: 198
o
Spring
Semester 2002: 506
Ø
What
are the future goals for online learning at UM-M
o
Provide
the citizens of
o
Provide
The University of Montana-Missoula with a strong support foundation for
offering online programs and courses to a wide variety of students, but
particularly focusing on those who cannot come to campus
o
Provide
a robust online environment for faculty
o
Provide
a robust online environment for students
o
Work
with various offices across campus to provide an effective online learning
environment
o
Work
with other units within The University of Montana System
o
Work
with other units within the Montana University System
o
Work
with agencies in
o
Increase
the number of online students substantially by FY 08
o
Increase
the percentage of off-campus students substantially by FY 08
For more
information about this content or other questions relating to online learning,
please contact Dean Sharon E. Alexander at 2983 or sharon.alexander@mso.umt.edu.