MAY 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE 73
on the town
success in running distance classes. “The students in Spanish
seem to like the videos of myself speaking in Spanish to allow
them to feel more connected to me as the instructor, and
to the Spanish language,” she says. “In addition, students
seem to like the flexibility in schedule, as many post their
assignments in the late evenings. They have also commented
on the immediate support they receive from E-Learning staff if
they have a technical issue.”
Govoni adds that “I thought that my courses were pretty well
training and learned about so many other tools, techniques and
strategies to support students. My course ‘came alive’ based
on the feedback and guidance of E-Learning. They showed me
how to design courses that are student accessible, dynamic,
interactive, and engaging. Through E-Learning, my courses now
of the materials, application of readings, and ways to synthesize
and evaluate their own work. The courses were brought to a
whole new level of cognitive thinking based on the guidance
of the staff in E-Learning. I can’t express how fortunate we are
to have such a team at USFSM.”
Shawn Ahearn, Director of Communications and Marketing, says
USFSM is an online course. It’s important that we do things well.”
That’s particularly true for Florida residents. Since every high
school student in the Sunshine State is required to take at
least one online course before graduation, they have some
sense of how online courses work. Those retuning to college
who have never taken an online course should be pleased
with the quality of their experience at USFSM.
As the USF System consolidates its three campuses into “One
USF” by July 1, 2020, more students will have the ability to
take courses seamlessly at any USF campus. More course
offerings are likely to emerge at USFSM, many of which will
be online, providing an opportunity for USFSM and the
E-Learning team to serve some of the 45,000 students in
Tampa and 5,000 students in St. Petersburg.
Thanks to the E-Learning team at USFSM, a model of success
is in place for developing online courses, training faculty to
deliver those courses in a user-friendly manner, and assisting
students in their academic journey when needed. Because
after all, quality matters.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
about University of South Florida Sarasota-
Manatee, please visit www.usfsm.edu, or call
941.359.4200.
/www.usfsm.edu