Online Programs | UofL Feature Stories, News & Resources

Online Educator Honored Among UofL Top Faculty Favorites

By admin | October 20, 2015

There is no denying that the professional rapport formed between college educators and their students is of paramount importance both to learning and to the attainment of educational goals. The acclaimed and diverse online degree programs at the University of Louisville allow students to both learn and interact with their professors and classmates, regardless of geographic location. These online classrooms utilize cutting-edge software, allowing maximum levels of interaction and a strong sense of campus community to be built amongst online students. With current technology, online educators at UofL are able to inspire their students in much the same way as their traditional counterparts, leading to students nominating their online educators for the annual campus “Faculty Favorites” list.

Assistant professor Dr. Roman Yampolskiy, who teaches computer science courses at the Speed School of Engineering, and has had his research widely published, has now been recognized by his online students as both a Professor of the Year as well as a Faculty Favorite for several years running. Yampolskiy himself strives to bring the very best in tools and educational experiences to his online students. He recognizes the value in his online classroom and makes sure to treat his students as human beings, not just as names on a screen.

According to one of the students who nominated Yampolskiy for his Top Four placement among the Faulty Favorites, Yampolskiy was “very available to students with questions.” Other students commended his approachability, intelligence, passion for education, open-mindedness and his ability to inject humor into some of the more ‘dry’ subject matters. One thing is abundantly clear from all of the student nominations – Dr. Yampolskiy knows his students, and his students know and respect him, regardless of the fact that many have never met him face to face.

The quality of online instruction from the award-winning faculty at the University of Louisville truly speaks to the level of education being offered. When online students are able to feel as passionately about their professors as traditional students do, the online campus community is clearly not just existing, but thriving. With the diverse and nationally ranked online programs available to choose from, prospective students can rest easy in their decision to pursue degrees online. The quality of an online education from UofL shines through the dedicated faculty and staff, like Dr. Yampolskiy, who tirelessly work to build and solidify a sense of true community via the virtual classroom.

To read more on the talented Dr. Roman Yampolskiy, please click the following link – http://uoflonline.com/2014/09/roman-yampolskiy/. For further information on exploring the many benefits and flexibilities of an online education at the University of Louisville, please visit us online.

Instructional Technology Endorsement (P-12) Program Now Offered 100% Online

By admin | October 14, 2015

Louisville, KY (10/14/2015) – The University of Louisville and the College of Education and Human Development are happy to announce that the Instructional Technology Endorsement (P-12) has joined their expanding repertoire of acclaimed online programs. This 100% online endorsement is based on the theory of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) and is structured to help educators expand their technological skill set, while successfully and appropriately integrating modern technology into P-12 classrooms. The Instructional Technology Endorsement (ITE) is the second teaching endorsement, along with the Classroom Reading Endorsement (CRE), to be offered fully online at the University of Louisville.

While the speed of advancements in modern technology can often be a challenge for educators as they strive to remain at the forefront of the 21^st Century classroom environment, the online ITE program is designed to empower teachers through multifaceted, cutting edge technological training. This endorsement gives educators the thorough knowledge to embark upon efficiently introducing new technological tools to their P-12 classrooms.

With continual developments in digital culture, the ITE is relevant for educators of all skill levels, from beginner to advanced, as focus is placed on the many benefits that new technology can bring to the P-12 classroom. Teachers of all levels are able to advance their knowledge of technological implementation to educate and inspire success in their own students via the most modern digital, web, and technology-based classroom tools.

With a 100% online format, the ITE offers connectivity and flexibility at the same time. The online course sessions are conducted synchronously, with predetermined course/meeting times, and recorded for easy asynchronous access, anytime and anywhere, to fit into the schedule of any working professional. This makes the online ITE an excellent choice for those teachers who are currently working in the field, and need scheduling flexibility for their pursuits of continuing education.

To be eligible for admission into the Instructional Technology Endorsement (P-12) program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and hold a valid initial teacher certificate. The program may be completed as a standalone endorsement, or as part of either the University of Louisville’s Master of Education in Teacher Leadership, with emphasis in Instructional Technology, or the Rank I program for Kentucky educators.

The 100% online Instructional Technology Endorsement (P-12) brings new educational opportunities to the acclaimed lineup of online course offerings at the University of Louisville. It is a perfect program for motivated educators who are looking to increase their marketability, expand their skill set through dynamic technological knowledge for the 21^st Century classroom, stand out within their fields and truly inspire future generations.

About UofL Online Learning

The University of Louisville (UofL) is a nationally recognized metropolitan research university with a commitment to the liberal arts and sciences and to the intellectual, cultural, and economic development of our diverse community of learners.
UofL Online Learning (www.louisville.edu/online) connects nontraditional students with learning opportunities that provide value to their professional advancement and personal development.

For more information, visit http://louisville.edu/online/programs/graduate-certificate-programs/instructional-technology-endorsement/

Contact:
Laura Dorman, University of Louisville Office of Online Learning, 2301 S. 3^rd Street, Ekstrom Library, Belknap Campus, Louisville, KY 40292; (502)627.0856; (800)871.8635; laura.dorman@louisville.edu.

Online Educator Honored Among UofL Faculty Favorites

By admin | July 2, 2015

Redefining Community: Kent School Distance Learner Joins other UofL Volunteers for Service Project

By admin | May 18, 2015

For some, the idea of online distance learning conjures up images of solitary students, working on their computers in isolated locations, with little sense of community. At the University of Louisville, nothing could be further from the truth. While students do perform their class work online at flexible and convenient times, the expert faculty at UofL go to great lengths to create an online community and feeling of camaraderie amongst students, no matter their locations.

Furthermore, community service opportunities often arise in locations across the country, providing excellent chances for distance learning students to interact with other UofL students, both traditional and online. This was precisely the case for online social work student James Zimmer.

For Zimmer, a husband, father, military serviceman, and distance learning student, the online programs at UofL’s Kent School of Social Work provided convenient learning opportunities that he was unable to find elsewhere. The sense of community that Zimmer felt at UofL’s Kent School while earning his Masters’ degree in social work, helped lead him to choose to take part in the Belk Bowl Service Project, offered to students in conjunction with the 2014 UofL football team’s trip to play at the Belk Bowl in Charlotte, NC.

Zimmer read an email which was sent out to all UofL students about the Belk Bowl Service Project. He did not hesitate to take part in what would become his first opportunity to directly interact with members of the UofL community in person. Zimmer worked along with other student volunteers, both from UofL as well as the University of Georgia. Together, they worked to improve facilities at the Ronald McDonald House in Charlotte. Their much appreciated work served to enhance the total experience of the children and families being served by the Ronald McDonald House.

Zimmer reported that he greatly enjoyed the community service project, which culminated with him and his family attending the 2014 Belk Bowl, alongside other UofL students and fans.

Although a distance learner, the sense of camaraderie Zimmer felt with his fellow students was strong before, after, and during the Belk Bowl Service Project. With the dynamic platform that UofL offers to e-learners, the faculty’s commitment to research and innovation shines through. This allows for all students, even those located in distant locations, to experience the true feeling of the Cardinal campus community.

Category: Feature Stories