UT to expand online learning pilot program

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The University of Tennessee is getting additional state funding to expand an online learning pilot program.

The Knoxville News Sentinel (https://bit.ly/1m96PtV) reports UT, in conjunction with the Tennessee Board of Regents, will get $1 million to expand the initiative, which uses technology developed for massive open online courses.

So far, UT is using the software only for courses it offers to students, but has seen success with it.

“We’ve seen in this year, some pretty amazing things by jumping into this partnership and jumping into this big unknown of the MOOC world,” said India Lane, UT assistant vice president for academic affairs and student success. “The biggest thing is we have some pretty neat course materials developed for UT students.”

Four courses were offered this year: two English classes at UT-Chattanooga, a music appreciation class at UT-Martin and a college algebra class at the Knoxville campus.

Math professor Malissa Peery had a hybrid class in which she developed instructional videos for her students to watch at home and then allowed them to work on problems in class.

“I always have students say to me, ’I understood what you said in class and then when I got home to do it by myself, I didn’t know what I was doing.’” Peery said. “When they get to class, we have activities where they’re actually working on problems and trying to connect ideas and build on what they learned from the lecture when they’re not on their own.”

Next year, a British Literature class will be offered at UT-Martin and UT-Chattanooga will offer a class in teacher education.

The school also plans to test how many students can take a class at one time.

___

Information from: Knoxville News Sentinel, https://www.knoxnews.com