Because some instructors are unable to create an effective Online@UT class site, the Office of Information Technology is offering workshops to guide instructors with the creation of new sites and modification of old, inefficient sites.

OIT wants to give instructors the skills that they need to enhance their site content, said Rhonda Spearman, manager of online course and community development.

Currently, all faculty members must attend a workshop to gain their OIT certification.

“This helps them rethink their site,” she said. “After the workshop, most faculty members decide to post a syllabus online and to use quizzes on their site.

“This changes the dynamics of a course.”

The newest modification to Online@UT is assigning both students and faculty to their course sections. In the past, students had to go into the system and register to use their course section.

“By assigning students to their class, it made the program more user friendly,” said Bonnie Buffaloe, a junior in business.

This fall faculty will be able to use the Online@UT system to check their course roster, which will be updated nightly.

“Because the list will be more up-to-date, this will make it easier for students know whether they need to re-register for a class,” Buffaloe said.

OIT has future plans to work in collaboration with Hodges Library.

“We want to assist students with getting articles and gaining access to the sources in the library,” Spearman said. “Hopefully, this will make the experience seem less intimidating and extend the classroom to a more interactive setting than in the past.”