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Welcome to the Learning Experience and Design (LEAD) Website!

The purpose of the website is to provide you with tools, resources, and support to create engaging and effective learning experiences for the students at UMA. The website includes resources on best practices for online teaching and learning experience design strategies. Information on course design models, elements of course design, accessibility and Universal Design for Learning (UDL), course reviews, and LXD supports are highlighted as pages of the website. The resources page provides support from online teaching professional organizations and information on supports at UMA. At the bottom of each page, there is a direct link to email UMA's learning experience designers to ask questions or brainstorm ideas and another link to set up an appointment with an LXD. 

NOTE - This website is continuously being updated. Check back often!

Distance Education at UMA Over the Years...

UMA has a solid distance education program that has evolved over 30 years. Recently, more courses with an online component have become the norm. And we do a good job! Our Fall 2022 campus student technology surveys indicate 60% of UMA's courses are online. 86.6% of responders indicated their experience with technologies used for learning has been either somewhat or very positive. 

Positive Comments:

  • Brightspace is great!
  • Ease of access and navigation.
  • Support of Student Tech Hub.
  • Ability to access courses when convenient to my schedule. 
  • Reliable technology.

Areas of Improvement:

  • Issues with access to internet or content, particularly third-party or publisher content.
  • Instructor familiarity with Brightspace and technology.
  • Lack of consistency within courses (different naming conventions, incorrect dates, access to assessments) and between courses. Specifically mentioned was where to locate the syllabus if not included on syllabus page.
  • Lack of communication or timely feedback from instructors.

The good news is that the areas indicated for improvement are usually easy to fix. Resources are included on this website, and support is always available at the Faculty Development Center and from the Learning Experience Designers. 

Be sure to visit the Faculty Orientation to Brightspace and check out the Learning Experience and Design (LEAD) Course.