UofL News: For those that don’t know, what is “Winter Session”?Ěý

Gale Rhodes:Ěý is a university-wide academic session that runs during UofL’s winter break, and offers a selection of accelerated three-week undergraduate and graduate courses. Delivered through a 100-percent online format, these courses present students with the opportunity to catch up or get ahead in their studies.

UofL News: What was the reason for starting the program last year?

GR: Here at the University of Louisville and within the Delphi Center for Teaching and Learning, we are continuously evaluating new ways to help our students succeed and stay on track to graduation. After researching the success of similar sessions at other colleges and the student-demand for year-round courses, the university chose to launch Winter Session last year to provide students a way to stay engaged in the learning process over the winter break.

UofL News: How successful was the first year? What did you learn that has helped shape the program moving forward?

GR: We believe Winter Session 2017 was very successful for a pilot program. We offered 31 courses, generating 530 enrollments, a response that validated the perceived demand for a chance to take courses over the winter break. Furthermore, following a post-Winter Session survey, we learned from participants that Winter Session was extremely important for lessening course load in future semesters (92 percent), meeting intended graduation timelines (85 percent) and having a convenient way to accelerate their studies (93 percent).

Based on these findings and feedback from students, we’ve adjusted our course offerings this year to better meet the needs of our students. And these adjustments are already paying off. We saw a huge increase in enrollment on the first day of registration, with three times as many students registering for a winter session course this year compared to last. Within the first few days of registration, over 200 students have enrolled, and we expect to continue to see that number grow as advising continues and students consider their options.

UofL News: Who is the ideal Winter Session student?

GR: The session is open to UofL’s current on-campus, online and returning students, as well as new, transfer and visiting students from other universities. Given the online and accelerated nature of the session, students do need to be focused, driven and organized to succeed in Winter Session courses. With the right motivation, this is a great opportunity to make up for lost time, complete extra credit hours or squeeze in an additional elective or gen ed requirement between semesters.

UofL News: How many overall courses will be offered this year?

GR: Building on the success of the 2017 program, this year’s Winter Session offers even more online courses for students to choose from. More than 60 courses are available across various disciplines within the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Business, Kent School of Social Work and the College of łÉČËÖ±˛Ą & Human Development.

Current University of Louisville students can enroll in Winter Session courses onlineĚýand clicking the “Register Now!” Button. New, transfer and visiting students first need to to the university and will be given a chance to enroll once that process is complete.

Located on the third floor of Ekstrom Library, the TILL features an active learning classroom similar to what will be available in the new academic classroom building, currently under construction on Belknap Campus and scheduled to open in fall 2018. Faculty can practice using cutting-edge technology in the classroom, as well as observe innovative peers in action.

“The TILL is a welcoming experimental space that encourages and supports exploration in teaching,” said Dr. Marie Kendall Brown, associate director for teaching, learning and innovation. “The flexibility of the room and furniture, the low- and high–tech affordances of the space, and the energizing environment create a unique learning opportunity for faculty and students alike.”

Acting President Neville Pinto noted the impact a learning environment can have on students. “It’s about engaging students in the material,” he said. “That requires a different configuration of classroom, a different type of relationship between the teacher and student, and in most cases, requires a different format for the way the material is presented.”

A number of faculty have piloted courses in the TILL classroom during the fall semester. Dr. Jeff Hieb, associate professor in the J.B. Speed School of Engineering, taught an Engineering Analysis II course in the TILL.

“My students have enjoyed using their own devices (laptops, tablets, phones) as well as the room’s many white boards to collaborate with one another to solve the problems I give them during class,” Hieb said.Ěý“I find the TILL offers new ways to increase student engagement. Instead of watching me work problems at the front of the room, students use the white boards and technology to collaboratively work out those same problems and learn from each other.”

“This classroom provides the opportunity to do a lot of group collaboration, which I think is extremely important for learning. You can see different viewpoints of problems or concepts from other students’ points of view,” said Jordan Weiner, a UofL student. “You don’t get that in a lot of classrooms.”

for faculty interested in bringing their classes to the TILL. More , while more information about the TILL is included in the video below.