Initiatives: Online Learning

Since its inception, the Kirwan Center has been supporting USM institutions in making strategic forays into online learning. “Online learning” in this context is defined as any learning environment that makes substantive use of a web-based component that enables collaboration and access to content beyond the classroom. Online learning strategies across the USM range from fully online degree/certificate programs, to MOOCs, to hybrid and "flipped" courses.

To advance this work, the Kirwan Center has launched USMx to help institutions  leverage the affordances of online learning to give students the flexibility to interact with content, faculty, and learning communities in the ways that best meet their needs. 

The USMx mission is to provide both access to innovative e-learning technologies as well as the resources, support, and planning necessary for strategic implementation of online learning.  This, in turn, helps our institutions achieve their mission of providing access to high quality, affordable higher education to a diverse student body both in Maryland and across the globe.

    In addition to UMUC, which offers over 90 fully online programs, the USM now has 44 degree programs offered entirely online.

    Our Work in Online Learning

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    July 15, 2019

    Religion and spirituality are areas of diversity and multiculturalism that have yet to be comprehensively addressed in most mental health training programs. Without this type of training, many practitioners lack the competence and confidence to engage in spiritually competent care–clinical practice that recognizes the importance of religion and spirituality in people’s identity, worldview, meaning-making and, therefore, their psychological well-being. Emerging research on treatment outcomes and client preferences, as well as professional ethical mandates, support the need for training in spiritual competencies for mental health care.

    July 10, 2019

    Today’s classrooms are dynamic, engaging and active learning spaces and our resources should be as well. Sadly, many of the available learning resources are too expensive or not dynamic or too broad to meet our instructional needs.   An essential skill for educators is to be able to infuse Open Educational Resources to meet the specific needs of their learners.  

    June 5, 2019

    UMES to offer first-of-its-kind MOOC in Hospitality/tourism course makes history on Boston-based edX platform.

    On July 10, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore will become the nation's first historically black institution to launch a Massively Open Online Course (MOOC) on the Boston-based edX platform in partnership with the University System of Maryland's Kirwan Center for Academic Innovation.

    The UMES MOOC is anchored in the university's well-regarded hospitality and tourism management program.  The course, “Introduction to Hospitality and Tourism Industry,” will enable learners to: 

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