The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s U-Pace program is one of five recipients of the 2014 WCET Outstanding Work (WOW) Awards. The WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies makes the awards to colleges, universities and organizations who are implementing “exceptionally creative, technology based solutions to contemporary challenges in higher education,” according to the organization’s news release on this year’s awards.
UWM’s U-Pace instructional approach integrates self-paced, mastery-based learning with instructor-initiated Amplified Assistance in an online environment, according to the release.
The U-Pace approach lets student progress through coursework at their own pace, and assures they master material before they move to the next level.
This approach is supported by Amplified Assistance, which allows instructors to shape students’ success, and give them customized feedback about specific learning challenges they may be having.
“Each year this coveted award is bestowed upon institutions who are creatively applying technological innovations to answer the big questions related to student access and success in higher education,” said Shanna Coles, interim director, distance education & summer school, UNC Charlotte and chair of the WOW Award committee.
“Encompassed in this year’s winners, we have effective models to help students move towards credentials quickly, with the foundation necessary for success while keeping access and affordability at the forefront.”
Other WOW awardees this year include: Capella University for its FlexPath delivery option; Colorado Technical University: for its intellipath™ for MBA preparation; Excelsior College for its Online Writing Lab (OWL); and Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) Extended Learning Institute for its OER-Based Associate Degree Project.
The WOW awardees will be recognized by WCET’s national community of higher education innovators during the WCET 26th Annual Meeting in Portland, Ore.
