Online Learning at UIC

Posted on November 09, 2023
Online learning student engaging in his course.

At the University of Illinois Chicago, online learning is a high priority. It provides access to UIC’s academic excellence for students who can’t come to campus. Providing flexibility and convenience, online learning offers working professionals the ability to accomplish their educational goals. It has emerged as a transformative force, offering technology-based instructional environments that have reshaped the way individuals acquire knowledge and skills within higher education.

Benefits of educational technology

UIC’s Instructional Design and Media Production Studio (IDMPS) partners with faculty in the academic colleges to develop high quality, high engagement and student centered online courses for degrees, certificates, and programs across campus. IDMPS’ Senior Instructional Designer Nicole Messier leads a team of instructional designers who work with faculty to ensure high quality standards for a student-centered learning experience.

“We use backward design principles when working with faculty to design the online courses at UIC,” said Messier. “We start with identifying the course goals and learning objectives based upon programmatic outcomes and accreditation standards. Everything we do revolves around the learning objectives because those are the foundation of a course.”

The primary goal is for students to understand why they are learning what they are learning and have course outcomes clearly defined that provide relevant skills and competencies.

Utilizing Blackboard Learn Ultra, students will access their online courses using the most modern and intuitive learning management system. Learn Ultra has an accessible, fully responsive design—making it easier than ever to teach and learn from any device. Students can look forward to:

  • A User-Friendly Interface: A clean design and streamlined navigation make online learning accessible for learners of all levels of technological proficiency.
  • Mobile-Friendly Experience: Offers a responsive and mobile-friendly interface that enables students to engage with their courses on-the-go.
  • Collaborative Learning Tools: Offers easy-to-use features like discussion boards, group assignments, and real-time chat to facilitate meaningful interactions, collaboration, and communication.
  • Feedback from Instructor: Provides robust assessment and grading tools, allowing instructors to create a range of assignments, quizzes, and authentic assessments to provide students with feedback to monitor progress and improve performance.

Student-centered design

In a well-designed online course, the only difference between an on-campus course and an online course that students will notice is how they interact with the instructor and their peers. Online courses involve a different form of interaction with the instructor and fellow students, rather than less interaction.

“When building online courses, we look at how students interact with Blackboard Ultra and adjust accordingly,” said Messier. “We make decisions based on design principles to provide students with student-to-student interaction, student-to-content interaction, and then also student-to-instructor interaction in an online learning environment.”

Before the start of any UIC online program, students will take an orientation course that will give them tips and tricks on using Blackboard Learn Ultra. They also get a walkthrough of helpful time management skills and success notes, such as best practices for online etiquette and behaviors.

Students will have access to the easy-to-use online tools:

  • Interactive Discussion Boards: Provide students with ample opportunities for peer-to-peer and student-to-faculty engagement.
  • Calendars: Students can track course deadlines for assignments, projects, tests, and more.
  • Journals: Students can use this as a self-reflective tool, or as a personal space to communicate privately with instructors.
  • Learning Modules: Students can find a variety of presented content, such as instructor video lectures, readings, interactive multimedia content, and learning activities.
  • Gradebook: Students can keep track of their grades and all the assigned coursework.
  • Announcements and Messages: Students receive announcements from their instructors to highlight important tasks, upcoming assessments, or other learning opportunities. Instructors can also send personal messages within the learning management system to check in on students individually.

Instructor presence

Instructor presence is a pivotal component of successful online courses. The UIC Online instructors are the same instructors who teach on-campus. They provide active engagement, guidance, and support to their students throughout their time in a virtual learning environment. Through regular communication, timely feedback, and a strong sense of availability, instructors establish a connection with their students, fostering a sense of community and trust. Instructors interact in the following ways:

  • Utilize multimedia and interactive content: Instructors provide videos that discuss course content, current trends and new relevant topics, and other multimedia elements to answer questions or clarify specific assignments.
  • Holds virtual office hours: Students have the option to meet synchronously with their instructors to ask questions or seek general guidance.
  • Provides timely feedback: Instructors give on-going feedback on assignments, quizzes and projects, as well as engage in discussion board conversations. They will also provide announcements and updates as needed.

Students join a community of online learners

One of the hallmarks of online learning at UIC is the emphasis on building a community virtually. Through group projects, discussion boards, peer-to-peer feedback, collaborative platforms and various campus resources, learners can connect, engage, and share their experiences. This sense of community fosters a supportive learning environment, where individuals can exchange ideas, seek advice, and motivate one another, and our courses are built with that in mind.

Networking opportunities are available to online students. These opportunities include a robust alumni network for most established online programs at UIC, and various courses that introduce students to industry professionals and professional organizations. Students and alumni also have access to UIC Career Services’ premier site Handshake, where students can connect to a wide variety of employers and opportunities for full-time, internship, part-time employment listings. Students can also take advantage of virtual career events, such as career fairs and walk-in sessions.

University resources also help to create an inclusive and supportive ecosystem that allows students to thrive and reach their full potential. Online students have access to a variety of resources at UIC, such as:

“We want to make sure UIC students know that we’re here for them,” said Messier. “Just because they’re taking online classes, doesn’t mean that they’re not part of our UIC community.”

Online degree programs: apply today

Interested in learning more about UIC’s different online programs? Take the next step in your career with an online bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or graduate certificate from UIC. Explore the flexible online programs and talk to an enrollment specialist today.