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First Year Experience at UConn has been a pioneer in harnessing the power of web-based technology to enhance first year student life and learning experiences. Through HuskyCT, online course management software, FYE uses technology to supplement classroom learning with online support, interaction, discussion, and delivery of content and information directly to students, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
At UConn, over 3500 different courses per semester have at least some online components on HuskyCT, and the number has been growing exponentially each semester. As over 70% of incoming students will have courses that utilize HuskyCT in their first semester at school, it is vital that FYE introduce new students to technology. Every FYE course now has a web presence; this allows the students to learn and practice their learning skills beyond their normal classroom time. Furthermore, because of the interactive features included in HuskyCT (such as email and discussion lists), students can reach out to and interact with their peers and teachers at any time of the day or night. Finally, using the web allows the instructors of First Year Experience courses to utilize a customized, dynamic online "textbook" that both augments and reinforces the materials students are presented in their FYE classes.
First Year Experience also reaches out to students through a special portal site, FYI - First Year Interactive. This site includes a wealth of first-year student-specific information, with calendars of events, news tickers, links, and other information that first-year students will need to know. As the site's name suggests, it also includes a number of interactive features, such as an "Ask the Experts" section, a "Talk to your Orientation Leader" section, chatrooms, and discussion lists open only to first-year students and select UConn faculty and professional staff. |
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