WebTycho

All UMUC-Europe Distance Education (DE) courses uses a proprietary, web-based delivery system called WebTycho. Beginning in 2004, many face-to-face courses may have the possibility to be enhanced using WebTycho

Here are the training opportunities and technical preparation for UMUC faculty who want to teach in the UMUC DE Program worldwide and become familiar with WebTycho for the eventual enhancement of their face-to-face classes. Successful completion of the Teaching with WebTycho course is required before you can be scheduled to teach a Distance Education course. However, successful completion of the Teaching with WebTycho course does not guarantee a Distance Education course assignment. We encourage all UMUC faculty to engage in learning about online teaching strategies and resources by participating in this online workshop and obtaining certification. If you are not already a member of the UMUC worldwide faculty, please visit http://www.ed.umuc.edu/visit/teached.html to download an Application to Teach.

If you are reading this document in printed form, please go to the web site at http://www.ed.umuc.edu/staff/faculty/detech/index.html to follow the active links referenced here after.

1. Work through WebTycho online resources.

   UMUC provides several FREE resources to assist faculty (and students) in making the transition to teaching and learning online. Faculty and prospective students alike can take the online WebTycho introductory tour called "Orientation." This interactive tutorial is self-paced and provides users with an explanation of how WebTycho functions, both from a student and faculty perspective. Both faculty and students (registered) can take the VLIB101, a Virtual Library course integrated into WebTycho to assist in understanding how online library resources can be effectively used. Familiarize yourself with the Technical Computer Requirements needed for working with WebTycho and review the Navigation Skills Tutorial to ensure you know how to get around in WebTycho. If you think that you may need a review of Basic Computer Skills for the Windows environment, review the Basic Computer Skills link. You may also want to look at some of the faculty resources available at http://www.umuc.edu/facdev/resources.html .

   You can also download a compressed version of the WebTycho User Guide and Supplemental Faculty User Guide for working offline. In addition to these guides, other documents provide setup information about WebTycho and a knowledge base. You can access this information after logging into the WebTycho environment as a guest. You do not need a special password or login information to take advantage of accessing these tools. Simply use your web browser (preferably Netscape 7.2 or Internet Explorer version 6.x or newer) and connect to the WebTycho server . At the WebTycho logon screen, use the blue button entitled "check your browser" to make sure your computer is ready for WebTycho (e.g., you need Java 1.4 and JavaScript 1.5).
   

2. Register for the WebTycho Certification Class.

   After taking the online Orientation, you can request to be registered for the CTLA 201, the Teaching with WebTycho class. Read the expectations of participants prior to registering. This intensive, five-week class is conducted online using WebTycho. During the Teaching with WebTycho class you will collaborate with colleagues on teaching strategies, technology tips, Internet and library resources, group projects and many other academic issues that may improve your online teaching effectiveness. The WebTycho training schedule allows you to reserve your cyberseat by completing the online registration form at least 2 weeks prior to the scheduled start of a training session. Please contact Dan Bennette prior to registering for CTLA 201. After registering, you will receive your WebTycho nighthawk login information about 1 week prior to the start of your online class.
   



3. Create a Web Presence.

   If you don't already have your own web page, now is the time to create one. Directions on starting a UMUC - Europe web page are located on the faculty development page under the Frequently Asked Questions section (i.e., creating a default web page requires only that you log in to our faculty computer and type a keyword). There is also information on how to update or publish your supporting pages (e.g., syllabus, autobiography, and vita). There are many tutorials on other web sites which will also help you understand and exploit HTML. If you need a place to start learning or practicing with web pages, go to Dan Bennette's webpage at http://faculty.ed.umuc.edu/~bennette/cti/faq.html or access the TRAC website
   
   

4. Sign up for OFSD999.
   
   OFSD stands for Office of Faculty and Staff Development. The purpose of the OFSD999 is to provide an environment for faculty to practice with WebTycho and to collaborate with colleagues about training and faculty development issues. This is an environment where faculty can continue to explore and experiment with the functionality of WebTycho, collaborate with colleagues, ask pedagogical and technical questions, and much more. This environment is used when workshops are conducted and as an extension to the five-week orientation class. Additionally, OFSD999 allows faculty to see an example of developed course modules (in a variety of disciplines) prior to using them. Contact the Office of Faculty & Staff Development at edfacdevel@ed.umuc.edu
   


5. Visit an ongoing or archived WebTycho Class.
   
   After completing the steps outlined above, faculty can request to visit an ongoing or archived WebTycho class. To visit a WebTycho class, or request a visitor (or Guest) to be enrolled into your ongoing WebTycho course, the information needs to be requested via this secure form. Please allow for about 1 week to process. If you are new to UMUC-Europe, please contact the Faculty Development Office or your academic director for help in identifying a class to shadow.

6. Sign up for Other Online Workshops.
   
   If you would like to participate in an online workshop for faculty development, you must have a WebTycho account. Please use this form to request an account if you do not have a WebTycho account. The WebTycho training account that you may have used for the CTLA201 Orientation is different from the account needed for these other online workshops. If you have further questions about a particular workshop, please contact the workshop sponsor.
   

7. Additional Resources after completing the CTLA201 Workshop.
   
   If you have technical questions about WebTycho, please use the online HELP, or contact WebTychoSupport via e-mail. If you have an andragogical question dealing with WebTycho when you are teaching a Face-to-Face class or Distance Education course, you can contact the Faculty Consultant for assistance.