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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.
During the forums, the UTSA community will have the opportunity to hear each finalist give an overview of their qualifications, their interest in the position and their vision, followed by a question and answer session with the audience.
Various locations, Main and Downtown Campuses
During the forums, the UTSA community will have the opportunity to hear each finalist give an overview of their qualifications, their interest in the position and their vision, followed by a question and answer session with the audience.
Various locations, Main and Downtown Campuses
Physics & astronomy faculty and staff conduct a 30-40 minute presentation on recent developments in astronomy and astrophysics followed by stargazing at the school's observatory (weather permitting).
Flawn Sciences Building, FLN 2.02.02, Main Campus
The UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures will take part in Smithsonian Magazine’s annual Museum Day Live! on Sept. 22, emulating the national museum’s free admission policy. Tickets for Smithsonian magazine’s 14th annual Museum Day are now available at Smithsonian.com/museumday.
UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures, Hemisfair Campus
UTSA Jazz Ensemble will perform on the Majestic Theater Main Stage as part of the San Antonio Parks Foundation's Jazz’SAlive. The free jazz music festival will feature more than two dozen performers.
Travis Park, 311 E. Travis St., San Antonio
The I-35 Showdown comes to San Antonio this season. Come cheer the Roadrunners onto victory over rival Bobcats.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St., San Antonio
During the forums, the UTSA community will have the opportunity to hear each finalist give an overview of their qualifications, their interest in the position and their vision, followed by a question and answer session with the audience.
Various locations, Main and Downtown Campuses
Sept. 25, also known as Tech Tuesday, the College of Public Policy, Tech Bloc and the Digital Inclusion Alliance of San Antonio, will host a forum on digital inclusion to address the digital divide in San Antonio and its impact on the tech community.
Durango Building La Villita Room (DB 1.116), Downtown Campus
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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