Link of the Month

Each month we highlight an Internet, USENET Special Interest Group (SIG), or similar mailing list(s) or Website(s).

Center for Distributed Learning*

This month's link is The Center for Distributed Learning (CDL). According to the CDL Website: http://www.unt.edu/cdl/about_cdl/ the center "was established in 1998 as a service to assist faculty with the development and delivery of distributed learning at UNT. The Center combines technology resources with expert consultation and personnel, in an effort to provide faculty with a 'one-stop' guide to technology-based courses."

The CDL Website is chock full of useful information. For example, one item currently featured on the homepage is:

Faculty Training updated! Visit our Training and Events section to see the latest sessions available for Online Course Design, WebCT Xtreme and Videoconference training. Also, learn about the new UNTExcellence in Teaching Online Certificate!

From the Training and Events, section you can link to the "Brown Bag Seminars." According to the site, a Brown Bag "is a chance for faculty members to get together and share their experiences with distributed learning in an informal environment. Each CDL Brown Bag features one presentation by a faculty member with previous experience in distributed learning." The CDL Brown Bag meets for lunch on the first Thursday of every month at 12:00 in Chilton 245. Upcoming Presentations (Dessert provided by CDL!):

July 11 - Bridging the Distance (Working Remotely)

Other future topics:

• Overcoming Online Course Obstacles
• Quizzing and Testing
• Organizing Online Communication and Feedback
• Outstanding Online Course Organization

If you are interested in Videoconferencing, the Videoconference Resources page will tell you all about the University of North Texas Videoconference Network (UNTVN). IT is "a two-way 'compressedvideo' network consisting of the following sites" (see tables on the page for specific location information) :

Eight sites on the UNT Campus
Seven sites in Dallas
One site in Fort Worth
One site in Frisco

 

These UNTVN locations have the capability to connect to over 150 sites across Texas via regional videoconference networks.

Distributed Learning Courses/Programs

You can also link to a page that lists the various programs that currently offer classes via the Web here at UNT. The statement on the Distributed learning courses page is as follows:

We are pleased to offer a wide variety of courses and degree programs that carry the same quality, services and credit as their on-campus counterparts. Distributed learning courses provide all the benefits of regular classes with the added bonus of flexibility in scheduling and location!

*If you are interested in Distributed Learning, make sure and read this month's "Campus Computing News." The article talks about the availability of grant money for hiring "subject matter experts, instructional designers, curriculum development specialists, content/course conversion specialists, and programmers under this grant. Other allowed uses of the funds are for training staff and faculty on using technology in the classroom and on developing web-based curricula, distance education training, and 'enterprise integration.'"