Questions and Answers for MDE Students:
Q: What's a great "one-stop shopping" spot for all kinds of information related to the MDE?
A: The MDE Hub: http://mdeprogram.weebly.com/
Q: What's a great way to connect with MDE students, faculty and alumni to stay up on current DE/E-learning issues, and job postings too?
A: Join the MDE Student Lounge: http://groups.google.com/group/MDE-lounge?hl=en&pli=1
Q: How do I obtain an academic advisor?
A: General graduate advising can be obtained from:
Email Address:
gradinfo@umuc.edu
Phone:
301-985-7155
800-888-UMUC (8682)
301-985-7534
Graduate Advising publishes the "Graduate Advising Newsletter, available online at:
http://www.umuc.edu/grad/studserv/advising.shtml
Also valuable is the Advising Tips sheet:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dp5xvng_75d6jhthgk
Q: Until when can I withdraw from a course?
A. A student may withdraw from a course up until the last two weeks of class. Anyone choosing to do so should check with Financial Aid to determine the effect withdrawing from a course will have on their aid for future semesters. Withdrawing is not the same as dropping a course. When dropping a course, to avoid losing any portion of your tuition you must drop before the first day of class. Reimbursement falls off drastically after that; for specific information please contact academic advising as detailed above.
Q: I need help with bringing my writing up to graduate level standards what resources are available for me?
A. All graduate students have several options for getting writing advice and improving their writing skills.
COMM 600- Academic Writing for Graduate Students- "A writing seminar designed to help graduate students acquire and strengthen the writing and critical thinking skills needed for effective academic writing. Emphasis is on developing well-organized, well-supported, and clear arguments; demonstrating the appropriate use of sources; and refining grammar and mechanics. The writing process presented begins with planning, continues through drafting and revision, and culminates in completion of a final project that demonstrates advanced writing and critical thinking skills."
Another resource available to UMUC students is the Effective Writing Center (EWC) which can be found at: http://www.umuc.edu/ewc/ The EWC provides several writing related services. For the best results contact the EWC sooner rather than later in your writing process. There is a turnaround time and accessing their resources early will allow you the necessary time for editing and revising your papers.
A relatively new resource is the MDE Writing Coach program. You'll find a Writing Coach in every MDE course. Writing Coaches are there to help you and will comment on writing mechanics, APA concerns, and grammar.
Q: Are there graduate certificates available in the MDE program?
A. There are several graduate certificates available within the MDE program. Details can be accessed at the following site:
http://www.umuc.edu/grad/gradcertificates/index.cfm
Q: I need to be away from class for several days what do I need to do
A: First notify your professor via e-mail and/or discussion posting. At the same time notify your classmates, study group mates, and email your buddy too. Determine if you will have internet access while away and plan accordingly. If necessary utilize internet cafes, local libraries and other sources. In the case of an emergency, notify whoever you can and take as much of your material with you as possible. If you know in advance that you need to be away from class, determine which assignments are due while you are gone and be sure to allow time to submit those either before or during your travels.
Carolina Suarez Vega posted this great action plan for handling planned absences from class:
Q: Any advice for Time Management?
A: Thanks to Carolina Suarez Vega (originally posted in the MDE Student Lounge) for these great links to a variety of time management resources; the links below present a variety of strategies:
*10 tips for time management in a multitasking world*
http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/10/10-tips-for-time-management-...
Pomodoro Time Management System (also written up in several MDE Writing Coach conferences:
http://www.pomodorotechnique.com/
Q: When should I consider withdrawing?
A: One should consider withdrawing after speaking with the instructor and determining that withdrawing is the only option left, and that not doing so will lead to the student failing.
Q: I think I might be failing what should I do?
A: This advice comes from MDE 2008 graduate Sandy Agrafiotis, who is an academic advisor at Baltimore City Community College:
Q: Keeping my GPA in good standing?
A: Also from Sandy Agrafiotis, keeping GPA in good standing requires that one carefully assess the amount of work that one can take on and attain high grades. It is paramount not to overestimate the time that work, family and other outside responsibilities require. In one’s need to finish as soon as possible, students often take on more than can be done successfully. Knowing one’s limits is very important.
Q: Do you have any strategies for staying on task in grad school?
A: Here's a great article about this very issue from Inside Higher Ed:
"Staying Motivated in Grad School"
http://www.insidehighered.com/advice/mentor/harris
Q: What's a great "one-stop shopping" spot for all kinds of information related to the MDE?
A: The MDE Hub: http://mdeprogram.weebly.com/
Q: What's a great way to connect with MDE students, faculty and alumni to stay up on current DE/E-learning issues, and job postings too?
A: Join the MDE Student Lounge: http://groups.google.com/group/MDE-lounge?hl=en&pli=1
Q: How do I obtain an academic advisor?
A: General graduate advising can be obtained from:
Email Address:
gradinfo@umuc.edu
Phone:
301-985-7155
800-888-UMUC (8682)
301-985-7534
Graduate Advising publishes the "Graduate Advising Newsletter, available online at:
http://www.umuc.edu/grad/studserv/advising.shtml
Also valuable is the Advising Tips sheet:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dp5xvng_75d6jhthgk
Q: Until when can I withdraw from a course?
A. A student may withdraw from a course up until the last two weeks of class. Anyone choosing to do so should check with Financial Aid to determine the effect withdrawing from a course will have on their aid for future semesters. Withdrawing is not the same as dropping a course. When dropping a course, to avoid losing any portion of your tuition you must drop before the first day of class. Reimbursement falls off drastically after that; for specific information please contact academic advising as detailed above.
Q: I need help with bringing my writing up to graduate level standards what resources are available for me?
A. All graduate students have several options for getting writing advice and improving their writing skills.
COMM 600- Academic Writing for Graduate Students- "A writing seminar designed to help graduate students acquire and strengthen the writing and critical thinking skills needed for effective academic writing. Emphasis is on developing well-organized, well-supported, and clear arguments; demonstrating the appropriate use of sources; and refining grammar and mechanics. The writing process presented begins with planning, continues through drafting and revision, and culminates in completion of a final project that demonstrates advanced writing and critical thinking skills."
Another resource available to UMUC students is the Effective Writing Center (EWC) which can be found at: http://www.umuc.edu/ewc/ The EWC provides several writing related services. For the best results contact the EWC sooner rather than later in your writing process. There is a turnaround time and accessing their resources early will allow you the necessary time for editing and revising your papers.
A relatively new resource is the MDE Writing Coach program. You'll find a Writing Coach in every MDE course. Writing Coaches are there to help you and will comment on writing mechanics, APA concerns, and grammar.
Q: Are there graduate certificates available in the MDE program?
A. There are several graduate certificates available within the MDE program. Details can be accessed at the following site:
http://www.umuc.edu/grad/gradcertificates/index.cfm
Q: I need to be away from class for several days what do I need to do
A: First notify your professor via e-mail and/or discussion posting. At the same time notify your classmates, study group mates, and email your buddy too. Determine if you will have internet access while away and plan accordingly. If necessary utilize internet cafes, local libraries and other sources. In the case of an emergency, notify whoever you can and take as much of your material with you as possible. If you know in advance that you need to be away from class, determine which assignments are due while you are gone and be sure to allow time to submit those either before or during your travels.
Carolina Suarez Vega posted this great action plan for handling planned absences from class:
- To inform my TA, instructors and classmates about the dates I will be absent and if possible, explain the reason for it.
- To ask my TA or instructor about further material from the class so I can take with me and read while I’m away.
- To organize a new schedule based on the activities I will be doing during my class absence. For example, if the reason for being absent from class is a trip, I would contemplate few hours for accessing internet and reading class materials.
- To make sure I can access to class materials easily. If I have a trip to make, I would take copies from the books instead of traveling with them, that way I can make sure I can take them with meal the time.
- To know if there is easy access to internet during my class absence. If not, inform my professor and classmates about it.
- Maybe there is no time to read or participate in forums during absent, but at least try to email my professor and let him/her know I’m trying my best to keep in touch with my course.
- To find support by talking to my friends and family by telling them how important this experience is for me. Spending hours in front on a computer, and reading during family time is not always easy
- To share this experience among my friends and family so they can remain me about the importance of this class. Sometimes one feels more responsible by not failing others than oneself.
- To keep in touch with one or two of my classmates. Hopefully they will inform me about new assignments, readings, or last minute changes.
Q: Any advice for Time Management?
A: Thanks to Carolina Suarez Vega (originally posted in the MDE Student Lounge) for these great links to a variety of time management resources; the links below present a variety of strategies:
*10 tips for time management in a multitasking world*
http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/10/10-tips-for-time-management-...
Pomodoro Time Management System (also written up in several MDE Writing Coach conferences:
http://www.pomodorotechnique.com/
Q: When should I consider withdrawing?
A: One should consider withdrawing after speaking with the instructor and determining that withdrawing is the only option left, and that not doing so will lead to the student failing.
Q: I think I might be failing what should I do?
A: This advice comes from MDE 2008 graduate Sandy Agrafiotis, who is an academic advisor at Baltimore City Community College:
- Students should speak with their professors as soon as they feel they are having a problem, the sooner the better. If the problems occur later in the class, again speak to the instructor and request additional time to complete the work or request an incomplete. But the student needs to realize he or she needs help and ask for it.
Q: Keeping my GPA in good standing?
A: Also from Sandy Agrafiotis, keeping GPA in good standing requires that one carefully assess the amount of work that one can take on and attain high grades. It is paramount not to overestimate the time that work, family and other outside responsibilities require. In one’s need to finish as soon as possible, students often take on more than can be done successfully. Knowing one’s limits is very important.
Q: Do you have any strategies for staying on task in grad school?
A: Here's a great article about this very issue from Inside Higher Ed:
"Staying Motivated in Grad School"
http://www.insidehighered.com/advice/mentor/harris
