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(Oct. 9, 2009)--The University of Texas at San Antonio is joining 15 other UT System institutions in a new $250,000 University of Texas System initiative designed to transform undergraduate education. As a part of the Virtual Learning Community Initiative, the UT System purchased a 50-island archipelago for its components to share in the virtual world of Second Life.
>> To learn more about the Virtual Learning Community Initiative, the UTSA community is invited to attend a demonstration at 9 a.m., Friday, Oct. 16 in the Main Building Auditorium (0.106) on the UTSA Main Campus.
"The purpose of this project is to stimulate creative approaches to instruction that increase student access and success while being cost efficient or reducing instructional costs at all 16 campuses," said Leslie Jarmon, UT-Austin senior lecturer in the Division of Innovation and Instructional Assessment and project organizer.
The project is the largest higher education, systemwide project of it's kind in Second Life. Under the initiative, UTSA administrators, faculty staff and students will benefit from the virtual interrelated tracks put in place.
A systemwide virtual collaborative learning community of faculty, researchers, staff and administrators will communicate in the virtual world. At the course level, the project allows students to improve the learning experiences and opportunities for individual graduate students and other interested learners. In August, participants from all UT System institutions met in Austin to review the grant and assorted initiatives. There will be bi-monthly virtual meetings via Second Life until the grant ends in July 2010.
"This is the most exciting project I've ever been associated with in more than 30 years in the higher education arena," said Joe DeCristoforo, UTSA assistant vice president and registrar. "Dr. Jarmon is an inspiration to me and my project team, and we look forward to working with her and learning about how to exploit this fascinating technology."
The UTSA project team members include James Adair, Sara Bordelon, Carmen Fies, Lee Gildon, LaVonne Grandy, James Groff, Linda Lindsey, Pat McGee, Barbara Millis, Malena Salazar, Tara Schmidt, Crystal Sperber, Lloyd Swarz, Eduardo Valenzuela, Mimi Yu and Alfredo Zavala.
UTSA will offer science, engineering, architecture, sports, music, writing and language and culture camps for kids, teens and adults. Register now.
Various locations, Main and Downtown Campuses
The weeklong academy will provide educators with resources, literature, information, and best practices on bringing Mexican American Studies into their classrooms. The materials provided are aligned to the social studies Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills objectives for middle and high school.
UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures, Hemisfair Campus
Future Roadrunners and families prepare for everything they need to know before the fall semester.
Various locations, Main and Downtown Campuses
This year’s theme, “Cultivate. Innovate. Collaborate.,” will explore new ideas and present success stories focused on: growing and sustaining rural communities, regional collaboration and rural innovation.
New Braunfels Civic Center, 375 Castell Ave., New Braunfels
Lecture presented by Dr. Nelson Flores, associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Free and open to the public.
Durango Building, La Villita Room (DBB 1.116), Downtown Campus
Are you transferring to UTSA? Take this opportunity to drop off any documents and complete your application for admission to UTSA! During this time you will have the opportunity to drive up, meet a staff member and submit your transcripts.
Frio Street Building Breezeway, Downtown Campus
Are you transferring to UTSA? Take this opportunity to drop off any documents and complete your application for admission to UTSA! During this time you will have the opportunity to drive up, meet a staff member and submit your transcripts.
Welcome Center Breezeway, Bauerle Rd. Garage, Main Campus
Willie Hale, UTSA assistant professor of psychology, will discuss how advances in statistical modeling can help us understand the ways in which a variety of risk and protective factors influence the onset, maintenance, and treatment of PTSD.
Blue Star Contemporary, 116 Blue Star, San Antonio
Other Calendars
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The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
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