WebTycho Technology from UMUC

Posted by Jen Zeman on February 11th, 2009

The University of Maryland University College (UMUC) utilizes a technology called WebTycho for their online courses. One of the things I found to be an asset with UMUC and WebTycho was every class was set up the same way (i.e. instructors didn’t create individualized layouts for each of their classes) so it made it easy to find course information in each class. WebTycho is also easy to navigate with each course set up in the following manner:

• Once you log in and click on the particular class you are registered for, on the left side of the screen is a list of options. The top left corner lists your instructor, their bio, and a link to class announcements.
• Below this is a list of course-related links: Syllabus, Course Content (links to specific assignments), Conferences (discussion area for students on weekly discussion topics), Assignments Folder (where you submit your assignments), Portfolio (where all your graded work will appear), and Class Members (links to individual students’ email).
• The top right of the first screen gives you access to your account preferences, your biography, an online orientation, as well as a link to library services. It also offers a direct link to tech support if it is needed.

UMUC offers the opportunity for potential students to “test drive” a UMUC online course. It’s free of charge and I believe beneficial in order for first time online students to become acquainted with the online format. For more information, go to http://www.umuc.edu/spotlight/411.html. UMUC’s tech support for WebTycho is outstanding. I have found representatives manning the help desk were always quick to respond and very helpful in resolving any issues you may encounter. When I was registered almost four years ago, I never experienced any downtime with WebTcho which was reassuring.

So go ahead! Take a test drive at UMUC and enjoy the ride!

Do I Fail or Strive to Pass?

Posted by Nicole Acosta on December 1st, 2008

I decided to return to college this last august.  Upon my decision I spoke to several friends/family who would know about what I was doing.  One in particular friend decided to take a shot at going back to college as well when she had heard I was taking courses online rather then in class.  She has a wonderful job she has been employed there for several years and a great career.  The reasoning for her to go was to have a goal, compelete it and have an accomplishment she would be proud of, a degree. 

Recently several things have begun to surface in her life that has cause her much grief and frustration.  She has always been a strong individual in my eyes, but seeing her this way has made it difficult for me to understand how a person can let so many things destroy her as a independent person.  She’s tried to stay caught up with her online courses, which has actually kept her life pretty simple.  Communication between her and her professors is  constant.  She’s able to deal with her difficulties and continue on with class, because she’s not having to travel anywhere for them.  I can relate to her as well as others who have struggles in life which doesn’t allow us to enter a classroom to learn. 

She was so close in giving up and taking a failing grade that I about screamed on the phone to her.  I told her that the drop date has passed and that if she took one assignment at a time, before she knew it she would be caught up and able to pass.  Spring semester she is only taking one course online until the dust settles.  I told her before letting her go on the phone after this conversation, to not give up and to just breath. I told her, ‘at least your not having to go into class and miss lecture notes on tests.’