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Virtual Vocabulary: Online Learning Terms that will Set You Up for Success

As the number of online degree programs increases, so does the virtual vocabulary. Learning Management Systems, synchronous sessions, breakout rooms, digital badges… All of these terms can seem scary and intimidating, but no worries. We’ve broken them all down for you so you’re ready to earn your online degree or certificate!

Modality

Synchronous

Asynchronous

Learning Management System

Virtual Classroom/Live Session

Breakout Room

Office Hours

The Office of Online Student Success (OSS)

Certification

Certificate

Digital Badges

Learning Assessment

Microcredential

Self-Guided Online Course

Instructor-Guided Online Course

In-Person Course

Post-traditional

  • Modality
    • Modality refers to how a course is taken: online, in person, or hybrid. All of the Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) and Master of Professional Studies (MPS) courses offered through the College of Professional Studies are 100% online and have synchronous and asynchronous components.
  • Synchronous (aka “synch session”)
    • Most of the courses at the College of Professional Studies have both asynchronous and synchronous components, which means you will have coursework to complete on your own time and you will meet with your instructor and classmates in a virtual classroom for 90 minutes one evening (EST) per week for the duration of the course (typically 8 weeks). Synch sessions are an invaluable benefit of online courses. You will gain a better understanding of course topics because your questions can be answered on the spot and you can listen and be a part of discussions. You also become part of the University community, which can be an enriching and rewarding experience.
  • Asynchronous (aka “asynch”)
    • Most of the time you spend in your courses at the College of Professional Studies will be asynchronous. Asynchronous coursework can be completed on your own time between synch sessions. This can include watching videos, writing papers, working on group projects, or completing homework assignments. The amount of time you will spend completing asynch coursework will vary from course to course.
  • LMS (Learning Management System)
    • The Learning Management System (LMS) is the software that schools use to facilitate their online programs. It’s kind of like a virtual school. It has classrooms (links that take you to your virtual classrooms), your syllabus and other course materials, a forum to communicate with your instructor and classmates, a place to submit your homework, and lots more.
    • At Syracuse University, we use Blackboard as our LMS. Blackboard is easy to use and can be accessed from anywhere you can access the internet so you can complete your asynch coursework any time.
    • Once you’re accepted into the College of Professional Studies, the Office of Online Student Success team will meet with you to walk you through how to use Blackboard so you can log into your first class with confidence.
  • Virtual Classroom/Live Session
    • A virtual classroom works much like an in-person classroom, except your desk is wherever you can access the internet. When you log into your synch session, you need a camera and microphone so you can watch, listen and engage with your instructor and classmates. Depending on the course you’re taking, there may be small group work, opportunities to share thoughts and ask questions, videos to watch and respond to, and other engaging activities that will help you understand the course content.
  • Breakout Room
    • A breakout room is an engaging activity that instructors often use in their virtual classrooms. It’s a way for students to have small group discussions, work on group projects, or complete in-class work. To do this, the instructor will divide the class into small groups within the virtual classroom. A button will appear for you that will take you to your breakout room. You will then be moved into a different virtual classroom with only your breakout room group members. The instructor may enter your breakout room at any time to answer questions or facilitate discussions. When the breakout room is over, you will automatically be moved back to the original virtual classroom.
  • Office Hours
    • Professors and course instructors make themselves available to speak to students one-on-one or in small groups on the phone or in a video chat at specific times throughout the week. They offer support, answer questions, and provide clarity on assignments and course topics. Taking advantage of office hours is highly encouraged and a good way to get to know your professors—and for them to get to know you!  
  • The Office of Online Student Success (OSS)
    • The Office of Online Student Success is dedicated to supporting students every step of the way as they earn their degree or certificate. Not only will they teach you how to use Blackboard so you can confidently log into your first synch session, but they will also help you select courses that will further your degree progression, connect you with resources at the university, and monitor your academic progress. They are a reliable source of guidance and support.
  • Certification
    • Certifications show professional competency in a highly specialized area. They are awarded by an organization that is authorized to test or evaluate an individual to confirm they have the necessary skills to hold the certification.
  • Certificate
    • A certificate is earned after successfully completing a set of credit-bearing or noncredit courses that are focused on a particular professional specialty.
  • Digital Badges
    • Digital badges demonstrate that an achievement has been earned for instructional, competitive or experiential purposes. They are digital icons that, when clicked, provide information about the learning and assessments that were completed and verify that the learning outcomes have been successfully met. Each digital badge is unique to the learning opportunity, the individual who completed it, and the badge-granting entity.  
  • Learning Assessment
    • A learning assessment is a measurement or evaluation used by an instructor to verify that the student has learned the content of the lesson or course. Learning assessments can be in the form of quizzes or tests, assignments, presentations, projects or experiential learning on the job.
  • Microcredential
    • Microcredentials play a unique role in helping students to upskill or reskill to be more competitive in the job market. Typically consisting of one or a handful of courses and offered in multiple modalities, they allow students to build a portfolio of demonstrated learning in a short amount of time for professional advancement or personal interest. Microcredentials are often focused on a particular skill or topic, so students can enhance their resume with personal or professional skills outside of a degree program. They can sometimes be combined (or “stacked”) as part of a more complex microcredential, course, program or degree.
  • Microcredential Modality: Self-Guided Online Course
    • Self-guided online courses are taken at your own pace and in your own time. Often, you will have videos to watch, quizzes throughout the course, and then a final test that you need to pass in order to earn credit for the course. You are not part of a class, so you do not have classmates or an instructor.
  • Microcredential Modality: Instructor-Guided Online Course
    • An instructor-guided online course is self-guided, but it’s different because there is an instructor who is available to answer questions and submit feedback on assignments via email or online forum. Typically, you will receive a syllabus and assignments to complete and submit.
  • Microcredential Modality: In Person Course  
    • An in-person course or workshop is taken in a classroom or other location. The course is lead by a professor, instructor or leader, and you will take the course together with other students.
  • Post-traditional
    • Post-traditional learners are students who engage in academic experiences through Syracuse University in a manner outside of a post-secondary residential experience. At Syracuse, we use the term post-traditional broadly to include anyone who has completed a Syracuse University learning experience part-time, online, through short courses, microcredentials, certificate programs or workshops. Post-traditional students are an important part of our community and bring a wealth of perspectives and diversity to our student body and orange family.

Did we miss a term? Let us know! Do you know someone who would benefit from learning these terms? Share this blog post!

How a Didgeridoo Sound Therapist Returned to Syracuse University 25 Years Later

By Hope Alvarez

World maps, used books, and didgeridoos line the walls of an office while sounds of a keyboard clacking taper off in the corner. Illuminated by his computer screen, College of Professional Studies student Joseph Carringer reviews his assignments for a liberal studies course.

It’s been over 25 years since the small business entrepreneur took a Syracuse University course. Now, he’s tackling two majors and three minors, an undertaking that wouldn’t have been possible when Carringer’s past self ran out of tuition funding. Now, scholarships fuel his education and it’s all possible through the plethora of scholarship opportunities funded by University donors.

When Carringer returned to Syracuse University to study online in Spring 2020, the pandemic offered more time to focus on education. However, work opportunities, which Carringer was depending on to support his education, dwindled. This limited the amount of courses Carringer could take and prolonged his estimated graduation date.

In the 2021-22 academic year, 51 scholarships were awarded to College of Professional Studies students. For students like Carringer, scholarships are vital to keeping to their education journey alive.

Carringer is a didgeridoo sound therapist and chief executive officer of a sustainable apparel consulting firm. As a recipient of the Distant Drums Scholarship, Carringer was offered financial relief to pursue his studies after his small businesses were impacted by COVID-19. Through scholarships, Carringer said he was able to “approach his studies like a full-time job” and completely immersed himself in his education.

“I originally left school because I ran out of money,” Carringer said. “With scholarships, I never once had to question if I’m going to be able to finish. Not only do I have my Syracuse education, but it’s paid for and I’m incredibly grateful for it.”   

The most significant force of funding for tuition during the 2020-21 academic year was more than $282 million awarded to students in the form of University grants and scholarships.

“Post-traditional students are often working to transition into the next phase of their careers and depend on scholarships to reduce tuition costs and other expenses associated with completing their degrees,” said Michael Frasciello, dean of the College of Professional Studies. “The growing portfolio of scholarships at the College of Professional Studies draws from range of resources including government-sponsored student assistance programs, privately funded education initiatives, and college-specific aid. If a student qualifies for aid, we will work tirelessly to find the support.”

The opportunities provided by the College of Professional Studies has allowed Carringer to unlock a new foundation of skills to advance his career. Powered by scholarships, Carringer has completed 24 credits in the spring 2022 semester with a 4.0 GPA. Pursuing an online creative leadership degree, Carringer expects to complete his studies in fall 2022. The online program option offered a flexible form of education and challenged Carringer to enhance his skills in communication, leadership and management.

“The College of Professional Studies is the most unrealized gem,” Carringer said. “I’m able to leave as a more well-rounded individual.”

To learn more about scholarship opportunities, visit professionalstudies.syracuse.edu/tuition-aid/scholarships-grants.

About the College of Professional Studies

The College of Professional Studies is a global, inclusive and future-facing college, providing access to diverse students and learners seeking a Syracuse University degree, credential, certificate or education experience.

New York State’s Tuition Assistance Program Expands Part-Time Educational Opportunities at Syracuse University

Last week, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the expansion of New York State’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), which now provides tuition assistance to part-time undergraduate students. 

Starting this fall, the $150 million expansion of TAP will support part-time students enrolled in six or more credits per semester, according to the announcement. Because NYS TAP is a grant, it does not have to be paid back.

As the College of Professional Studies continues to expand its program offerings, the expansion of TAP unlocks new opportunities for a wider population to attend Syracuse University part-time. 

“The expansion of the TAP program removes the main barrier many part-time students are facing when pursuing a college degree – cost,” says Michael Frasciello, dean of the College of Professional Studies. “The expanded program comes at a time when the College of Professional Studies is maintaining and lowering costs to close the gap between tuition and what part-time students can pay. New York State is now fully aligned with our mission as a college that is accessible to anyone who otherwise cannot study full-time on campus.”

New York residents looking to study part-time at Syracuse University can affordably do so with the expansion of TAP. The flexibility of part-time study combined with TAP positions students for success as they pursue a range of future-focused programs available both online and on campus.

“TAP broadens access for students who might otherwise think attending college is financially out of their reach,” says Peg Stearns, director of financial aid at the College of Professional Studies. “This increases accessibility to higher educational opportunities for post-traditional students. Next to the Federal Pell Grant Program, NYS TAP is the most generous grant available to eligible NYS students.”

All students who plan to apply to Syracuse University part-time study are encouraged to complete the FASFA, as this is also the easiest way to apply for part-time TAP. 

The College of Professional Studies’ Financial Aid Office will notify potentially eligible New York State students who have received their 2022-23 FAFSA results. The University’s main campus Bursar’s Office will process part-time TAP funding.

The College of Professional Studies’ Financial Aid Office is dedicated to providing TAP application completion assistance as needed. To learn more about part-time TAP eligibility, visit hesc.ny.gov/pay-for-college/apply-for-financial-aid/nys-tap/part-time-tap.html.

To learn more about financial aid opportunities at the College of Professional Studies, visit professionalstudies.syracuse.edu/tuition-aid/.

About the College of Professional Studies

The College of Professional Studies is a global, inclusive and future-facing college, providing access to diverse students and learners seeking a Syracuse University degree, credential, certificate or education experience.

Purposeful Persistence, Perseverance and Integrity: A 20 -Year Journey Towards a Degree

By Hope Alvarez

Victoria Baratta ’21 gripped the edge of the podium. While the applause dwindled down, a smile peeked out of Baratta as she adjusted the microphone. Rays of sunlight spilled into Hendricks Chapel, casting a glow onto the crowd as they waited to listen to the College of Professional Studies Spring 2022 convocation student speaker. While echoes of children murmuring to their parents adorned in graduation regalia floated to the ceiling, Baratta scanned the room filled with students like her—soon-to-be graduates who studied part-time while juggling the side quests of life.

Many spent their evenings in front of a computer and books after a fatiguing day of work. Or some were like Baratta, studying alongside their college-aged children, learning about each other’s goals. Despite their different lives, they all gathered for the same reason: to celebrate their educational achievements studying part-time through the College of Professional Studies.

Her Mother’s Mantra

“When I was younger, education was always one of the most important tools to have in your toolbox,” Baratta said, beginning her speech. “Knowledge is power, and that power is something no one can ever take away from you.”

Baratta’s words held weight as she sunk into childhood memories.

“As a little Black girl, I was never seen. My mother moved us to a neighborhood where there were no other people of color,” she said. “The kids looked at me like I was an alien.”

Kids would make cruel remarks to Baratta, using negative insults to make her feel small. Alienated from her classmates, Baratta felt invisible.

“Purposeful persistence, perseverance and integrity” was the mantra her mother spoke to her daily. She held tight to those words, using it as a shield to fight off the negativity. The mantra soon became a compass that navigated her journey where she learned to juggle multiple male-dominated careers all while raising a family and completing a psychology degree at Syracuse University.  

Lessons Along The Way

Head-to-head with a former body builder twice her size, Baratta reflected on how she had gotten to this place in her life.

As a teenager, Baratta’s plan was simple. She would graduate high school, join the Army, and simultaneously attend the University of Maryland. With military tuition benefits, it was an affordable option and offered stability.

But instead, Baratta found herself at age 20 sparring with a man of pure muscle at the Syracuse Police Academy.

What was meant to be a hometown visit while Baratta was in the middle of college soon became a recruitment opportunity for her family friend who was deputy chief of the Syracuse Police Department. After scoring in the high 90s on the police assessment, Baratta was awarded with a job offer, but she didn’t intend to take the job. Persistent, her friend and Deputy Chief offered a list of benefits, hoping something would ignite her interest.

“He said it will help pay for college. I heard that and I thought ‘this is what I wanted all along,’” Baratta said. “That’s why I was in the military.”

In 1985, Baratta became one of the first Black female police officers on Syracuse’s police force.

After transferring to Syracuse University and the Army Reserves, Baratta began what would be a 28-year career in street patrol and community relations.

Working diligently to prove she could keep up with the boys, Baratta faced discrimination from her peers and the community around her. One day, during field training, a colleague demanded she sit in the back of a police car.

“They weren’t discriminating because they didn’t like women,” Baratta said. “They felt like they were protecting us.”

Lined with hard plastic seats and a thick protective wall that distinctly defined who was in charge, Baratta refused to sit in the backseat because she knew her place. It was up front, protecting the citizens of Syracuse, some of whom also judged Baratta’s ability to protect and serve due to her petite stature.

“I went on a call once where the complainant answered the door and yelled that he called the police, not the campfire girls,” Baratta said. “He then called the police department and told them to never send me again. He wanted a ‘real’ police officer, a man.”  

But Baratta didn’t let the badgering stop her. Instead, she navigated these moments using the psychology lessons she learned during her University classes. At the time, every challenge Baratta encountered at work invariably coincided with her psychology classes. Much like a lighthouse beaming in the distance, the coincidences repeated and reminded her that she was headed exactly where she was meant to be. Both Baratta’s career and psychology classes came effortlessly to her, proving she was born to treat the emotional pain of those around her and guide them to an era full of hope and positivity.

“I feel like I’ve been using my degree before I even got it,” Baratta said. “Growing up, I wanted to be a doctor. The doctor was the helper. Once I found a couple of psychology classes, I was like ‘This is it.’”

Baratta wanted to be a helper, and for her, it was achievable with a psychology degree. 

When Baratta wasn’t patrolling, she was mentoring and assisting families through anti-drug and anti-gang programs.

“I got to be a part of helping the kids go down a better path, but also helping the parents who were in that culture but didn’t have the resources to get out,” Baratta said. “I got to work on both sides of the coin, and it was very fulfilling. I felt like that psychology degree helped me to connect with people in a way that I wouldn’t have been able to.”

Study Sessions at the Dinner Table

It was another evening in the Baratta household. The family sat at the dinner table while Baratta and her daughter studied side by side, each immersed in their Syracuse University studies. Baratta’s husband pulled up a chair. Acting as Baratta’s tutor for the night, he cheered her on when she faced an obstacle.

After taking a step back as a police officer and working part-time at an Apple retail store, it was those moments that made Baratta realize why she was completing her degree. Having an established career, many might wonder why she would continue her studies, but for Baratta, college wasn’t just about getting a degree. Education offered a new perspective that acted as a guide to navigating the complex moments of life.

“Challenges inspire me,” Baratta said. “When someone tells me I can’t do something, I am on fire to prove them wrong in the biggest way that I can.”

As a part-time student, Baratta accepted there would be lack of a connection with her classmates.

“I felt like I was part of the school, but not technically part of the community,” Baratta said.  “Then I got on the Dean’s list for the first time.”

In the College of Professional Studies, making the Dean’s list wasn’t just an acknowledgement of excellent grade point averages, but instead provided an opportunity to celebrate students and their achievements.

Hesitant to attend an in-person ceremony honoring dean’s list students, Baratta bucked up, recalling the endless hours she had spent poring over flashcards and textbooks. The little victories deserved to be celebrated.

“I really felt like I was going to be this wallflower standing in the back of the room,” Baratta said. “But it wasn’t like that at all. They welcomed me and made me really feel like I was part of the University.”

Baratta finally felt seen.

It was the feeling she had been chasing since her childhood and it was here in the form of mingling with her peers and academic mentors. Surrounded by students just like her, the feeling of invisibility washed away as she listened to the stories of other part-time students.

“Our motivation changes over the years, but our drive stays the same,” Baratta said.  

Inspiring a New Generation

“Purposeful persistence, perseverance, and integrity,” Baratta recited back to the crowd at Convocation.

Her mother’s mantra continued to guide her through the last moments of her academic journey. From here, she would pass down these words of wisdom in a cadet program hosted by the Syracuse Police Department and mentor a new generation of changemakers.

Baratta surveyed the room one last time. She finally made it to the top after conquering an uphill battle, her mind a little bit wiser and skin a little bit thicker. It was time for her and the other graduates to close this chapter and begin a new one.

“Goals we set are goals we get,” Baratta said. “Make a plan, set the goal, achieve the goal. This is the equation for success.”

About the College of Professional Studies

The College of Professional Studies is a global, inclusive and future-facing college, providing access to diverse students and learners seeking a Syracuse University degree, credential, certificate or education experience.

 

Syracuse University Partners With Interlearn to Offer Innovative and Collaborative Learning Through New International Program “International Year One”

The moon is out, and the city of Beijing is winding down. Meanwhile, Syracuse University student Qichen Chang has cracked open his notebook for an evening of studying. Tonight’s lessons are Probability and Statistics and English for Academic Purposes. Tucked away in his dorm room, Chang scrolls through his computer and immerses himself in notes from a Syracuse University lesson. Taking his first two semesters of Syracuse study at a local learning center in China, Chang has spent this time wisely, participating in a higher education program that is preparing him to progress to a summer semester in the United States at Syracuse University and proceeding then into his sophomore year at Syracuse. It won’t be long until he’s working face to face with his instructors in Syracuse, New York, and part of the community of learning on campus.

The International Year One Program (iY-1) offers international students unprecedented access to U.S. higher education. Syracuse University, in partnership with Interlearn, Inc., has developed a special blended first-year university learning curriculum for students in designated countries. This program provides students with a practical education and a more simplified college application process that is both rigorous and inclusive.

“The iY-1 program allows Syracuse University to take the lead in offering an innovative and transformative international program,” said Stephen Larsen, founder and CEO of Interlearn. “This program provides students extensive preparation for study in the U.S. and access to Syracuse University in a way that is meaningful to them and their families. Our mission is to bring talented students the higher education opportunities that can change their lives and benefit their communities.”

Structured for Success

Across the U.S. an astonishing number of international students face significant challenges in finishing their degrees. This can be for social, personal, cultural, and academic reasons. Students cite a range of challenges, most of them directly related to making the tremendous jump to a new culture and different approach to learning while far away from family support.

Syracuse University iY-1 students tour campus.

For Chang, obtaining a degree at an American university was a powerful personal goal. On social media, Chang saw his friends attending architecture classes at Syracuse University, and while he wanted the “American university experience” too, he wasn’t sure how to get there. Then on Syracuse University’s website he found the International Year One (iY-1) Program, a program that provides U.S. education through transitional stages for international students.

“For me, the iY-1 program is the entrance to higher education in the United States,” Chang said.

Whether it’s an intensive English for Academic Purposes course or a dynamic economics course, each class has acted as a building block to prepare Chang for his time in America. It has allowed him to create his own opportunities and to study subjects he might not have considered, he said.

The structure of iY-1 is not your typical international education program. Before students fly overseas and begin curriculum at Syracuse, students spend the Fall and Spring semesters studying on-site with instructors at their local educational institution and online with Syracuse University faculty.

“The iY-1 Program offers international students a unique entry ramp to begin their higher educational journey,” said Ryan O. Williams, associate dean of the College of Professional Studies. “The combination of academic English preparation with credit-bearing courses, and online learning blended with on-ground instructional support in students’ home countries, empowers students to overcome language and cultural barriers, benefit from a customized support structure, and acclimate to university life in the United States before they arrive.”

“Through iY-1, students are prepared to succeed,” Larsen said. “The program offerings and engagements allow students to get accustomed to the rigors of U.S. academic study while they have support systems around them to help prepare for the enormous leap of leaving home to study halfway around the world in a new culture and with sometimes unfamiliar learning approaches.”

In the Fall semester, students take two credit-bearing undergraduate level courses coordinated with English for Academic Purposes coursework, which provides students with opportunities to engage in activities in English that encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and independent learning. In the spring semester, the credit-bearing class load increases and students may choose their track of study leading into engineering, the sciences, business, health professions, and a wide variety of other fields. Then, students spend their summer at Syracuse University. With a first year of study completed, students are supported socially and academically through their transition into the University and campus life. By the end of the summer term, students are ready to join the Syracuse University student body as sophomores.  

“In mid-May, we were delighted to welcome our first cohort of iY-1 students to the Syracuse University campus,” Williams said. “For all of us who worked so hard on this project, it was a moment of pure joy to greet the students in person, to introduce them to their new home in Central New York, and to observe how this unique program had transformed the group.”

A Trio of Learning Environments Offers Student Support

It’s not just the academic opportunity that iY-1 provides. For some international students, attending university in the U.S. can be an isolating experience. With iY-1, students enter a program that honors community. Students travel through the program with a cohort and are provided access to continuous program support by advisors and instructors.

“There is the on-the-ground community in country, the synchronous online community, and the asynchronous online community,” said David Patent, online instruction coordinator for International Programs at the College of Professional Studies.

In the Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 semesters, Patent designed, taught and managed the English for Academic Purposes courses. The online synchronous component involved one hour-and-a-half-long class each week taught by the Syracuse University instructor, while the in-person component involved nine hours of on-the-ground instruction at an educational institution in China. Additionally, the course provided an asynchronous online instruction component. The combination of these three learning environments enabled students to receive consistent support and cultivate a community both online and in-person.

Jin Chai, Syracuse University iY-1 student

“We spent two semesters in China. The courses included online sessions taught by teachers at Syracuse University and offline courses taught by local teachers,” said Jin Chai, an iY-1 student. “All the classes were taught in English, which laid a good language foundation for our next three years of student life at Syracuse University.”

Just The Beginning: Global Expansion and Advanced Degrees

Although iY-1 is currently only available to students in China, the program plans to extend to teaching centers in a range of countries.

“Interlearn is growing with Syracuse University and our partners worldwide. We are building new teaching centers not only in China but also in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and South and Southeast Asia. Students in these countries represent the diversity and inclusivity that American colleges and universities highly value. We are working with our partners to reduce the overall cost of programs, and to expand degree options to include a range of associates, bachelors, graduate and professional degrees. Interlearn is excited about the opportunity to meet the new challenges and opportunities this expansion will allow, and we are proud to be a part of building for Syracuse University an expanding international presence and an ever-growing global alumni base,” Larsen said.

To learn more about iY-1, visit professionalstudies.syracuse.edu/academics/international-programs/international-year-one-iy-1-program.

About the College of Professional Studies

The College of Professional Studies is a global, inclusive and future-facing college, providing access to diverse students and learners seeking a Syracuse University degree, credential, certificate or education experience.

About Interlearn, Inc.

Interlearn is a global education company committed to expanding access to quality higher education through transformative teaching and learning.

By Hope Alvarez