- University News Archive - UA ��Ƶlogo

Faculty share online teaching strategies that create meaningful connections in support of student learning

Wed, 16 Oct 2019 12:47:43 +0000

The University of Arkansas at ��Ƶlogo Academy for Teaching and Learning Excellence (ATLE) reviewed strategies for substantive contact in online teaching at its meeting Sept. 19.

“Cori Schmidtbauer gave me great ideas for making my online pharmacology class interactive,” nursing instructor LaQuana Smith said. “She suggested online games, unfolding case studies, and using Blackboard Collaborate to record small groups. Thanks Cori!”

Dr. Liz Pierce, associate professor and chair of the Department of Information Science, Dr. Kristen McIntyre, associate professor for the Department of Applied Communication and director of the UA ��Ƶlogo Communication Skill Center, and Cori Schmidtbauer, instructional designer for Scholarly Technology and Resources (STaR), shared their techniques with other faculty in attendance, stressing the goal of creating connection. Pierce explained that the Information Science department built a student profile to understand the characteristics and needs of students in their program. They found that most of their students prefer courses offered in the late afternoon or evenings on Mondays through Thursdays. “Our students arrive to class time around 5 p.m.,” Pierce said. “Holding class toward the end of the day works great, even for international students participating online from places like Singapore. The difference in time zones turns out to be very compatible when we schedule classes this way.” Students also prefer lively, engaging interaction and the ability to ask questions, even in an online experience. Pierce encouraged everyone to design a space that enables them to interact with their students and to make use of experts in the STaR office. “Students want to feel connected to their peers and the teacher,” Pierce said. “We use tools like multiple webcams with pre-set angles and on-screen chats so that students have both audio and text options for asking questions during a lecture. We want to give them a window into the classroom as if they were sitting in the front row.” Many classes are being offered in a “mashup” style. As McIntyre explained, in some classes, about half of the students are in the live classroom, while the other half interact online with peers and the instructor through Blackboard discussions, peer reviews, and other opportunities for connection. “I use low-threat activities to encourage peer-to-peer interactions that build community,” McIntryre said. Some examples McIntyre shared include encouraging students to create a social media connection outside of class, assigning peer reviews, hosting small group workshops online after 9 p.m. or on-campus during evenings and weekends, and inviting online students to participate in her on-campus version of a class anytime they want. “Facilitating opportunities for students to connect with one another requires low effort on my part and pays big dividends for student success,” McIntryre said. “I also require that they meet with me in-person or online within the first two weeks of class, just so we can get to know each other and kick start our connection. They can meet with me alone or in a group.” Schmidtbauer encouraged everyone to create a robust instructor presence in online courses as a way to engage students and avoid student isolation. “Humanize yourself to help students not feel isolated at their computers,” Schmidtbauer said. “Share your hobbies and interests. Post your photo and use 3-to-5-minute audio or video lectures to create a positive tone for the class.” Schmidtbauer suggested instructors maintain a sense of presence by using the many collaborative tools in Blackboard, using “SMART” (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based) goals to achieve teaching objectives, providing timely feedback to students, and using both individual messages and announcements to engage the class. All faculty are encouraged to take advantage of the professional development opportunities offered each month through ATLE. “I love ATLE events,” said Cynthia Johnson, accounting instructor. “You never know what tidbits you’ll pick up. I’ve implemented ideas received at ATLE events that have improved my syllabus, class management, communication, and Blackboard site design. ATLE offers great help, atmosphere, and comradery.” RSVP for upcoming ATLE events at /atle/events/.

UA ��Ƶlogo students place second in Southwest BAP conference competition

Wed, 06 Mar 2019 16:23:42 +0000

Three University of Arkansas at ��Ƶlogo students took second place at the annual Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) regional meeting in Dallas on Feb. 23. Senior accounting major James Hubbard from Wabbaseka, junior business major Shibani Lal from ��Ƶlogo, and senior accounting major Joseph Griffith from Benton competed in the conference’s “Best Practices” competition, during which they presented about UA ��Ƶlogo’s “Reality Fair” financial literacy workshop. “For the Reality Fair workshop, we let participants choose their career and family goals, and make housing, transportation, communication, entertainment, giving, and saving decisions.” explained Cynthia Johnson, accounting instructor and Beta Alpha Psi faculty co-advisor. “They then spin the ‘wheel of life’ to see what random event, representing real life happens to them. If they are not living within their budget, they must go back and change earlier decisions until they can live within their means. It’s quite an eye-opener!” Nine students in total attended the conference, hosted jointly in Dallas by UA ��Ƶlogo and the University of Central Arkansas. Christina Gu, Jessalyn Jackson, Sean Corrothers, Daniel Nwachuku, Hitaxiben Patel, and Jay Patel, along with the winners of the competition, met with Beta Alpha Psi members from colleges and universities across the region to discuss the latest topics in accounting, finance, and information systems. Gu, Jackson, and Patel also took part in a non-judged discussion with other Beta Alpha Psi chapters where they discussed workforce readiness among their members. Johnson could not be more proud of how her students fared. “They all stepped up and were ready and able to do above what was required of them. Their attitude was amazing and they helped give our school a great reputation,” said Johnson. “We hope to take the Reality Fair workshop on the road to area high schools and youth events.”

UA ��Ƶlogo hosts VITA program to help people file taxes for free

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 14:13:33 +0000

The University of Arkansas at ��Ƶlogo will run a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program for the second year in a row to assist members of the public and the campus community file their taxes free of charge. The offers free tax help to people who generally make $54,000 or less, people with disabilities, non-residents, and limited English-speaking taxpayers who need help preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals. However, they are unable to prepare tax returns for individuals who are self employed or contribute to a health savings account. Tax preparation and filing assistance will be available on a walk-in basis every Wednesday through April 3 from 1-6:30 p.m. in Reynolds Business Center Room 104. The center will be closed on March 20 due to spring break. Taxpayers have an option to prepare their own free simple federal and state tax return using web-based tax preparation software using an onsite computer. To have a return prepared by a volunteer, members of the public should bring a valid photo identification, Social Security card, W-2s, 1099 forms, a copy of last year’s tax return, and any other information and forms concerning income and expenses for 2018. Faculty members from the UA ��Ƶlogo Department of Accounting and students from the UA ��Ƶlogo Accounting Society and Beta Alpha Psi have been training for months to provide tax help for the public. “We believe this service to UA ��Ƶlogo students, staff, faculty, and the general public will fill the needs of taxpayers who do not have the funds to pay for-profit tax preparers for simple returns,” said Cynthia Johnson, an accounting instructor in the College of Business and faculty advisor of the UA ��Ƶlogo VITA program. Members of UA ��Ƶlogo’s Beta Alpha Psi started the VITA program at UA ��Ƶlogo last year after learning about it at a conference in 2016. Students who are participating as volunteer tax preparers, led by Student Coordinator James Hubbard III, a senior accounting major from Wabbaseka, include Mikayla Corbitt, Joe Griffith, Christina Gu, Jessalyn Jackson, Daniel Nwachuku, Simranjit Kaur, Taylor Lemus, Hitaxiben Patel, and Katie You, as well as alumnus Dave’cia Randall. For more information, contact the VITA program at ualittlerockvita@gmail.com or 870-575-3638.

Accounting Society raises 22k in CPA educational event

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 23 Feb 2018 15:28:46 +0000

The University of Arkansas at ��Ƶlogo Accounting Society raised $22,000 through its annual continuing professional education event. The proceeds will support Accounting Society programming, including service projects and travel grants for students to attend and present at professional conferences. Nineteen Accounting Society students hosted nearly 175 certified professional accountants for a full day of programming on Dec. 13, which included topics like fraud, cyber security, forensic accounting, networking, tax, state board ethics, and the UA ��Ƶlogo accounting faculty members Dr. Cynthia Johnson and Dr. Cynthia Taylor and Accounting Society president Lukas Steed organized the event where professionals earned up to eight hours of continuing professional education: four hours in accounting, one in tax, one in state board ethics, as well as two in general continuing education. A team from the Association for Information Systems Student Chapter provided invaluable assistance in organizing the event by automating several of the event’s manual processes. The team consisted of graduate students Hemant Kumar and Moyosooreoluwa Kemi-Rotimi and undergraduate students Jazzy James and Gene Johnson. Speakers included T.J. Boyle, Frost, PLLC; Roger Dorsey and Joshua Kerr, UA ��Ƶlogo Department of Accounting; Bruce Engstrom and Holly Fish, EGP, PLLC; John Fiebig, senior deputy director of PCAOB; Dan Harpool, owner of Complete Computing; Mark Ohrenberger, Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy; and James White, Arkansas Department of Health.

UA ��Ƶlogo opens Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program on campus

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 14:10:39 +0000

The University of Arkansas at ��Ƶlogo has opened a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program to help members of the campus community and the public file their taxes free of charge. The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who generally make $54,000 or less, people with disabilities, and limited English speaking taxpayers who need help preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals. Tax preparation and filing assistance will be available on a walk-in basis every Wednesday through April 4 (except during Spring Break on March 21) from 2-4:30 p.m. in Reynolds Business Center Room 104. Taxpayers have an option to prepare their own free simple federal and state tax return using web-based tax preparation software using an onsite computer. To have a return prepared by a volunteer, participants should bring a valid photo identification, Social Security card, W-2s, 1099 forms, a copy of last year’s tax return, and any other information and forms concerning income and expenses for 2017. Faculty members from the UA ��Ƶlogo Department of Accounting and students from the UA ��Ƶlogo Accounting Society and Beta Alpha Psi have been training for months to provide tax help for the public. “We believe this service to UA ��Ƶlogo students, staff, faculty, and the general public will fill the needs of taxpayers who do not have the funds to pay for-profit tax preparers for simple returns,” said Cynthia Johnson, an accounting instructor in the College of Business and faculty advisor of the UA ��Ƶlogo VITA program. Beta Alpha Psi members discovered the VITA program while attending a conference in 2016. “A couple of the students trained and volunteered at a VITA center in downtown ��Ƶlogo during last year’s tax season to see how it works,” Johnson said. “Enough students were interested in training and volunteering this year that we decided we would be able to handle opening a center on campus. The students are getting really great experience dealing with real clients, and the taxpayers are receiving a very valuable service.” For more information, contact Johnson at cljohnson1@ualr.edu.

College of Business international honors society receives Distinguished Chapter of the Year award

Jenny Lambert — Fri, 24 Nov 2017 15:00:07 +0000

The Epsilon Pi chapter of Beta Alpha Psi at the University of Arkansas at ��Ƶlogo was awarded the Distinguished Chapter of the Year award from the organization’s national office. Beta Alpha Psi, an international honors society in the College of Business, focuses on the recognition and success of financial information students and professionals. The organization is open to students majoring in accounting, finance, and business information systems who have a minimum 3.0 GPA. This year, the UA ��Ƶlogo chapter of Beta Alpha Psi has nine members and 11 candidates seeking membership. Since August, these students have worked diligently to complete the one service, six professional, and five reaching out activities required to obtain the distinguished chapter honor. “These students are the reason this chapter is successful,” said Cynthia Johnson, UA ��Ƶlogo Beta Alpha Psi advisor. “What amazes me is that the students who wanted to restore the chapter back in 2014 knew that they would graduate before the organization was up and running, but their momentum and attitude has continued on with these students.” According to Johnson, Beta Alpha Psi was disbanded from the university in 2007 as a result of low student interest and a lack of desire by faculty members to run the organization. In 2014, however, students saw the need for the honors society and worked toward renewing the organization. “A lot of the reason our students wanted Beta Alpha Psi was because recruiters and people in the accounting profession look for the top students who are active on campus and complete service and professional projects,” Johnson said. “That’s what this organization is all about.” This year alone, the students in the organization have completed 12 projects including speaking with at-risk youth, hosting a financial literacy workshop, and hosting a continuing professional education event. “The students enjoy participating in these events because they get to actually be around professionals and get to see what professionals do in their fields,” Johnson said. The organization is now looking to recruit online-only students through the use of Blackboard, which will give non-traditional students the opportunity to be involved with the on-campus organization. For more information about Beta Alpha Psi, contact Johnson at cljohnson1@ualr.edu.

UA ��Ƶlogo announces college-level Faculty Excellence Award winners

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 14:31:58 +0000

The University of Arkansas at ��Ƶlogo will honor 14 of its top faculty members during the Faculty Excellence Awards Thursday, April 13. “Faculty excellence winners underscore UA ��Ƶlogo’s commitment to quality instruction, innovative research, and service to the community. Our faculty’s dedication to these fundamental principles continue to be the bedrock of our institution,” said Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Dr. Deborah Baldwin. A panel of external judges will review the achievements of the college-level winners and select the university-wide winners in the categories of teaching, research, and public service. The three university-wide winners, who will each receive a cash prize of $5,000, will be announced during the Faculty Excellence Awards ceremony at 5:30 p.m. April 13 in the Engineering and Information Technology Building Auditorium on the UA ��Ƶlogo campus. A reception will follow in the Engineering and Information Technology Building lobby. Since 1989, when the first award was given, the event has provided a way to recognize the great work of UA ��Ƶlogo faculty and is made possible through the valued contributions of the Office of the Chancellor, the Office of the Provost, and the UA ��Ƶlogo Chancellor’s Circle. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the UA ��Ƶlogo Office of the Provost at 501.569.3204. The following is a list of college-level winners:

Public Service

��Allison Holland, director of the University Writing Center and senior instructor of rhetoric and writing, College of Social Sciences and Communications
��Cynthia Johnson, advanced instructor of accounting, College of Business
��Laura Barrio-Vilar, assistant professor of English, College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences
��Michael DeAngelis, assistant professor of earth sciences, George W. Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology
��Suzanne Penn, associate professor of clinical law, William H. Bowen School of Law

Research/Creative Endeavors

��Mengjun Xie, associate professor of computer science, George W. Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology
��Michael Flannery, professor of law, William H. Bowen School of Law
��Tansel Karabacak, associate professor of physics and astronomy, College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences

Teaching

��J. Lyn Entrikin, professor of law, William H. Bowen School of Law
��John Talburt, professor of information science and Acxiom Chair of Information Quality, George W. Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology
��Kathryn King, assistant professor of anthropology, College of Communication and Social Sciences
��Linda Holzer, professor of music, College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences
��Linda Stauffer, associate professor of interpreter education and program coordinator of the Interpreter Education Program, College of Education and Health Professions
��Otmar Varela, associate professor of management, College of Business

- University News Archive - UA ������Ƶlogo

Faculty share online teaching strategies that create meaningful connections in support of student learning

UA ������Ƶlogo students place second in Southwest BAP conference competition

UA ������Ƶlogo hosts VITA program to help people file taxes for free