FIU: 25 Years of Online Education

DEAR FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES,

In 25 years, FIU Online has grown from a small distance learning experiment to Our University’s comprehensive Online Program Experience (OPX) provider serving thousands of students each year. We got this far by investing in daring and brilliant personnel, mastering evidence-based course design, and braving evolving technologies.

At Florida International University, we believe that flexibility and options are essential components of a comprehensive education. That is why we offer a wide range of online programs that complement the on-campus experience while also meeting the changing needs of learners across the globe. Our nationally recognized online programs have propelled our students to become trailblazers and changemakers in their respective fields.

This commemorative book serves as a testament to our many achievements.

You will find highlights from our many programs and initiatives, a glimpse into the impact FIU Online has had on our university, the field of online learning, and most importantly, our students. We hope this booklet serves as a valuable resource and inspiration for those passionate about digital education and its power to transform lives.

As we move forward, you can be sure FIU Online will continue to invest in innovative technologies, support faculty and staff, and create intellectually challenging, dynamic, and accessible digital educational experiences for both on-campus and fully online learners.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all the administrators, faculty, staff, and students who have contributed to our success. Your dedication, creativity, and hard work have made online education at FIU what it is today, and I am excited to see what the next quarter century will bring.

Sincerely,

Evangelia Prevolis Associate Vice President FIU Online and Digital Experiences

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CONTENTS

03

A Letter to Friends & Colleagues

08

Pioneers of Online Learning

10

25 Years of Milestones

11

The Online Student Profile

13

Our Team

16

Pioneering Initiatives

17

Leading Quality Online

19

Champions of Accessibility

21

Affordability Counts

23

Inspiring Faculty Innovation

25

Innovative Endeavors

27

Investing in the Learner Experience

29

Leveling Up

31

The Next Wave

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THE YEAR WAS Before Netflix, FIU Online was mailing DVDs to distance education students.

The Nokia 6120 was the most popular phone, selling over 22,000,000 units in 1998 alone.

The U.S. was introduced to Harry Potter.

It was 1998 and Miami was evolving. The population grew to about 362,000, and a sleepy South Beach underwent a major revitalization effort to become a world-famous destination. The Miami Heat made the NBA Playoffs for the third time as the Marlins played their first season in the new Pro-Player Stadium. Weeks after the city hosted the Latin Grammys, Hurricane Georges struck, causing widespread power outages and flooding.

Against this backdrop, deep in the university’s Ryder Business Building, FIU Online was born.

Where it all started.

PIONEERS OF ONLINE LEARNING In 1998, the FIU College of Business took a bold leap into the world of online learning, paving the way for what would later become a new university division—FIU Online. Over the years, FIU Online has become a boundary-breaking leader in the field by developing top-notch digital experiences to students on campus and worldwide.

INDUSTRIOUS ORIGINS FIU Online’s origins in the School of Business shaped its character as a bold, tech-forward, and studentcentered enterprise. Dean Joyce J. Elam, named Vice Provost for FIU Online in 2006, led the college’s online programs to climb national rankings.

Under her successors, the College of Business has continued to excel, with programs ranking among the top 50 online graduate business programs by U.S. News & World Report.

EARLY INNOVATORS FIU Online has a knack for innovation.

As early as 2006, the division introduced the first virtual textbook and interactive learning games, revolutionizing how students engaged with online content. Later, the unit adopted the live chat student service option to the WEBCT learning management system (LMS). With the launch of its corporate MBA program in 2009, FIU Online boldly shifted some of its focus to developing fully online degree programs, catering to the needs of both “1.0” and “2.0” students— those

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who choose to complement their on-campus experience with online courses and those who choose to be enrolled in fully online degree programs.

RAPID GROWTH FIU Online continued to broaden and refine its offerings, replacing WEBCT with Blackboard LMS in 2008. In the following years, FIU Online added three more fully online graduate business programs and jumped into the MOOCs game to remarkable success.

These advances began the award-winning streak of courses our instructional designers continue building to this day.

KEEPING LEARNERS FIRST FIU Online has always put students first. As the rise of textbooks added to the student debt burden, the unit introduced the Affordability Counts program in 2016, offering incentives and medallions to faculty who incorporated Open Education Resources (OER) into their courses or kept course materials below 20 dollars a credit. Then, in 2021, after years of working on enhanced educational experiences, FIU became number one in the nation in Quality Matters courses, the top quality recognition in online learning.

As early as 2006, the division introduced the first virtual textbook and interactive learning games, revolutionizing how students engaged with online content.

SWIFT ADAPTATION In 2018, FIU Online led the university’s massive migration to the Canvas LMS. FIU Online sprang into action once more at the outset of the pandemic to shift more than 4,000 on-campus and web-assisted courses to a remote environment, all while offering guidance on best practices in distance learning. To give back to the wider educational community, FIU Online hosted the CLICK-12 webinar series, aimed at educating K-12 educators from all over the country. The unit also enhanced accessibility with exacting technologies and expanded its professional education offerings to meet emerging career paths.

FIU’S OPX PROVIDER Today, FIU Online is a veritable Online Program Experience (OPX) provider, delivering a seamless and comprehensive online learning ecosystem. The division

offers a range of services across the university, including marketing, recruitment, retention, consultation, Ed Tech, learning design, and LMS management. Additionally, FIU Online is developing an Esports & I-STEM Academic Certificate Program to prepare students for careers in esports, demonstrating the division’s ever-forwardthinking approach. As a result, FIU Online is poised to remain a pioneer in online learning well into the 21st century.

FIU Online sprang into action to shift more than 4,000 on-campus and web-assisted courses to a remote environment, all while offering guidance on academic policies.

W E ’ V E

B E E N

B U S Y

O V E R

35,219

T H E

L A S T

2 5

Y E A R S

3,312

STUDENTS IN ONLINE PROGRAMS

D I S T I N C T F I U FA C U LT Y W H O H AV E TA U G H T ONLINE

235,793

STUDENTS WHO HAVE TAKEN AN ONLINE COURSE

5,425

19,635

733

ONLINE COURSES AT FIU

MILITARY LEARNERS

QUALITY MATTERS CERTIFIED COURSES

16,652

ONLINE STUDENTS WHO GRADUATED

FIU boasts big numbers online. Our reach as a quality online educational provider is unmatched.

NUMBER OF ONLINE PROGRAMS BY YEAR 125

122 113 105

100 88

75

74 58

50 44 33

25

0

2

3

7

8

03-04

09-10

10-11

11-12

21

20

12

12-13

13-14

14-15

15-16

16-17

17-18

18-19

19-20

20-21

21-22

22-23

ACADEMIC YEAR

AROUND THE WORLD 19

1

18

8

2

23

1

1

1

1

2

5

1

2

8

4,378

13

2

1

6 2

2

2

2 1

5 4

1

2

5

1

70

17

14

32

1

1

1

2

10 2

5

14

17

134

140

2

2

6

1

4

9

12

3

2

1

55

33

2

4

3

4

13

4 1

3

1

12

1

75

43

3

8

28

1

1

7

5

2

With a worldwide reach, FIU Online is proud to represent a wide variety of learners. And as one of the largest online programs in the country, our student population continues to grow each year. Our thriving plurality of learners galvanizes our commitment to educating anyone, anywhere.

TWENTY

FIVE YEARS OF MILESTONES Our timeline illustrates a story of determination, innovation, and excellence. Look at just how much FIU Online has achieved and grown over its 25-year history. Each of our many achievements and mission milestones have unfolded in ways that continue to surprise us.

And to think, it’s only half the story.

4377

enrollments in online courses.

27609 enrollments in online courses.

The first virtual textbook and interactive learning games are launched.

FIU Online established­—offering its first-ever distance course.

Master’s in Hospitality Management launches as a fully-online degree program.

1998

2003

2006

2002

2005

By 2002, FIU Online has over

20671

2004

enrollments in online courses.

2002 also marked the first annual FIU Online faculty development conference.

FIU Online hires its 50th employee.

enrollments in online courses.

FIU Online expands to hire a dedicated marketing staff to support enrollment growth.

45228 enrollments in online courses.

138320

Online Corporate MBA launches with five start dates per year.

MOOCs launch with over 400 enrollees in the first two weeks.

FIU Online strategy focuses on developing fully online degree programs in addition to courses.

54% of FIU students are taking at least one online course.

enrollments in online courses.

Another seven new online degree programs launch to meet the demands of FIU’s working student goals.

2011

2013

2015

2009

62114

2007 2010

2012

enrollments in online courses.

enrollments in online courses.

34471 49624 enrollments in online courses.

Student Services live chat option added to learning management system.

Salesforce CRM database is integrated into FIU Online operations to streamline data tracking through recruitment, student enrollments, scheduling, and assistance.

70800 More than 700 students enrolled in the online Corporate MBA Program.

FIU Online hires its 100th employee.

enrollments in online courses.

1,072 degrees awarded.

2014

FIU is selected to participate in the prestigeous Complete Florida program, which supports online student completion.

189095

129561

enrollments in online courses.

enrollments in online courses.

3,699 unique online sections offered.

60% of FIU students take at least one online course.

FIU Online celebrates a new milestone: 100 academic degree programs offered fully online with more than 1,000 unique online courses offered each year.

FIU celebrates another milestone: 500+ Quality Matters certified online courses, earning recognition as #1 in the nation in QM certified courses.

FIU Online becomes the university’s Online Experience Provider (OPX), offering services in learning design, marketing, enrollment, retention management, and consultation.

2017

2019

2021

2023

Over 1,000 instructors teaching online.

2016 2018 The FIU Affordability Counts program goes live.

35% of all university student credit hours are now offered online.

2020 2022

192009 enrollments in online courses.

FIU Online supports the emergency transition of 4,000+ on-campus and web-assisted courses into the remote environment in Spring 2020.

Began curriculum development for Esports & I-STEM Certificate program.

THE ONLINE STUDENT PROFILE 2022-2023

With big enrollments and a wide reach, FIU Online attracts learners from varied backgrounds. We take pride in being the top choice for non-traditional learners.

GENDER:

MALE

FEMALE

34%

66%

17 AND UNDER

18-21

22-24

25-30

31-39

40 AND OVER

>1%

16%

24%

30%

18%

11%

AGE BREAKDOWN:

YOUNGEST | OLDEST GRADUATE:

19 78 yrs old

26%

yrs old

GRADUATE

ETHNICITY OF STUDENTS:

7 Pacific Islander 8 American Indian or Alaskan 341 Not Reported 221 Asian 275 Two or More Races

12,534 TOTAL STUDENTS ENROLLED

1,531 Black or African American 1,586 White 4,580 Hispanic

74% UNDERGRADUATE

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THE ONLINE STUDENT EXPERIENCE The online student experience at FIU is nothing short of extraordinary. But don’t take our word for it. Our 2023 exit surveys paint a clear picture of just how much students value their online academic experience. We take great pride in the positive feedback, which demonstrates the profound impact FIU Online has on those who matter most to us.

87

of fully online students strongly agree that their overall FIU student experience was highly valuable.

86

of fully online students felt prepared to assume professional responsibilities in their chosen profession.

%

%

85% 88

%

“

of fully online students felt academically challenged throughout their degree coursework.

of fully online students would recommend FIU to others.

With my online program, I didn’t have to put my career on the sideline. It had minimal impact on my daily nine-to-five work schedule. You don’t want to sacrifice your career for higher education, and with FIU Online, I didn’t have to.

—Vedner Guerrier, MBA in Healthcare, 2013

OUR TEAM

As FIU’s Online Program Experience provider, FIU Online is a powerhouse of professionals driven by the common goal of enriching the learner journey with the very best online learning experiences.

Learning Design Our team of over 80 instructional design professionals collaborate with faculty to create dynamic and immersive online courses.

Technology Our technologists adopt, maintain, and support our digital infrastructure, including networks, apps, and devices.

Marketing and Recruitment Our marketers promote FIU Online and forge valuable partnerships across the university and industries.

TEAM BUILDING, ONE PIN AT A TIME At FIU Online, we’re proud of the multitude of talented individuals who have joined our team over the years.

Hence our cherished FIU Online Pride Numbers tradition in which each new team member receives a pin with their hire count to commemorate their addition to our ever-growing family. This special number stands for more than just their start; it’s a symbol of our shared commitment to delivering exceptional online learning experiences to students worldwide and the bond that unites us as a team. By the time you’re reading this, our count will be north of 800.

Student Success Our success coaches provide 24/7 support and resources to help fully online students achieve their goals.

Operations Our operations team keeps the machine running, managing logistics, streamlining processes, and more.

UNIQUE BACKGROUNDS, SHARED GOALS Our team members hail from all corners of the world and come from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds, allowing us to approach problems from multiple angles and find creative solutions to meet each student’s unique educational needs.

AGE 3% yrs DISTRIBUTION 55-64

10%

20%

45-54 yrs

26%

DEMOGRAPHICS

>1%

>1

%

4%

Two or More

American Indian or Alaskan

24 yrs and under

35-44 yrs

42%

7%

Not Reported

25-34 yrs

Asian

10%

African American

14

%

White

LENGTH OF SERVICE

64

%

Hispanic

23%

>1 year of service

32%

1-3 years of service

15%

10+ years of service

13%

6-9 years of service

17%

4-5 years of service

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PIONEERING INITIATIVES For a quarter of a century, FIU Online has been blazing a trail of innovation, revolutionizing the online learning experience for students in the digital age.

We have fearlessly experimented with emerging technologies and developed new platforms and methodologies to make education accessible, affordable, flexible, and personalized.

From cutting-edge software to groundbreaking programs, we’ve taken bold steps to reimagine student support and engagement. Our commitment to staying ahead of the curve is reflected in our robust community outreach and faculty development efforts. These pioneering initiatives have proven us to be a leader in online education, and we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and creating a better future for our students.

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LEADING QUALITY ONLINE In 2011, FIU Online embarked on a proactive journey towards enhancing the quality of online education by adopting the Quality Matters (QM) certification as a benchmarking process. With over 733 courses certified across various disciplines, we have become the premier institution in QM certifications nationwide.

SETTING THE STANDARD Even before the Florida Board of Governors (BOG) introduced the QM rubric for online courses, FIU Online had already taken the lead. In addition, our seasoned instructional designers developed a QM-based internal review process known as Panther Quality.

733

RAISING THE BAR QM CERTIFIED COURSES

337 PANTHER HIGH-QUALITY BADGE COURSES

Panther Quality incorporates rigorous QM rubrics, offering workshops, training sessions, and support services for faculty and instructional designers.

With 337 Panther High Quality badged courses (and counting), we aim to ensure that all our online courses align with the Panther Quality course design framework by 2025. In the meantime, these efforts have maintained FIU’s current position as first in the nation in number of QM certified courses.

We are #1 in EMPOWERING THE LEARNER At FIU Online, we believe that quality assurance and learner-centered online education are key to driving student success. Our unwavering dedication in partnering with faculty to craft impactful online learning experiences has made us a frontrunner in the field.

CERTIFIED ONLINE COURSES IN THE NATION 2020-2023

CHAMPIONS OF ACCESSIBILITY FIU Online has been a true catalyst in championing accessibility in online education, igniting a passion within the university, and inspiring other institutions to prioritize it too.

Through technology, strategic partnerships, and unparalleled knowhow, FIU Online has set the standard for creating a more equitable educational environment that supports students of different abilities to achieve their educational goals.

KEY PARTNERSHIP FIU Online’s early collaboration with FIU’s Disability Resource Center in 2012 played a pivotal role in driving innovative approaches to accessibility.

By obtaining unique insights into the needs of students with disabilities, FIU Online proactively pursued solutions rooted in universal design.

ACCESSIBLE DESIGN FIU Online’s 2011 adoption of Quality Matters made our division the go-to experts in accessible course design. Since then, the team has fulfilled its goal of incorporating accessible design into course development from the start, chiefly with the use of Accessible Canvas Blueprint templates to ensure courses follow established accessibility practices and high-quality online course design standards.

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REVOLUTIONARY TOOLS FIU Online prioritizes accessibility with tools like the Accessibility Alert Dashboard (AAD) and Blackboard Ally. Ally helps us identify opportunities for enhancing accessibility across thousands of courses. The team now hosts “All-Access Day” sprints throughout the year when designers work on course refinements.

EMPOWERING INSTRUCTORS By flagging opportunities for accessibility, Ally helps instructors remediate alt text, color contrast, PDF tagging, and other concerns, to create a fair and welcoming learning environment for all students while developing new skills.

SETTING THE STANDARD FIU Online is leading the way towards an increasingly equitable educational environment for all students by making accessibility a top priority in its online courses. The impact of FIU Online’s efforts can be seen across the university, where accessibility has become a key focus area, showing its commitment to inclusivity.

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AFFORDABILITY COUNTS How FIU Online Helps Cut College Costs for Students

RISING COSTS OF COLLEGE EDUCATION The cost of college has been increasing steadily.

Textbooks and other course materials are becoming more expensive. It is no surprise that students are finding it difficult to keep up with the burden of student debt. At FIU Online, we knew we had to do something.

AFFORDABILITYCOUNTS.ORG

2016

FIU ONLINE LAUNCHES AFFORDABILITY COUNTS

TAKING INITIATIVE In 2016, FIU Online launched Affordability Counts, a program that aims to mitigate some of the financial obstacles students face. The program incentivizes faculty to adopt low-cost course materials in their courses by offering medallions and other rewards, thereby reducing the expense of courses.

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AFFORDABILITY COUNTS PARTNERS:

EXPANSION AND COLLABORATION FIU Online didn’t stop there: In an effort to help instructors across the state source low-cost materials, FIU partnered with other state universities and colleges to create an online database housing all the best materials from medallion-awarded courses. This one-stop-shop aims to ease faculty adoption of low-cost course materials throughout Florida public institutions.

SUCCESS AND RECOGNITION Since the program’s launch, over 283 medallions have been awarded, resulting in over $880,000 in savings for students.

The program’s success led to FIU Online receiving the OLC Accelerate Effective Practice Award in 2017 for its outstanding work in online education.

DEDICATION TO QUALITY AND ACCESS FIU Online is committed to quality and access. To that we add dedication to making education affordable to more students.

Through Affordability Counts, FIU has influenced creative solutions in educational policy by partnering with other state universities.

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INSPIRING FACULTY INNOVATION At FIU Online, we’re committed to empowering faculty members to excel in online teaching. By participating in our programs, instructors gain the confidence and skills needed to provide students with exceptional online education.

INSTRUCTOR FIELD GUIDE

FACULTY WEBINARS

Our monthly Instructor Field Guide provides tips and advice on using Canvas, video guidance, recent scholarship, important dates, and relevant articles online. It helps instructors stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices in online teaching.

Our faculty webinars feature expert instructional designers presenting effective uses of technology in online courses, as well as tips for course delivery and design.

FIU ONLINE INSIDER The FIU Online Insider is the official source for staying abreast of pedagogical developments written by our own instructional designers.

The Insider is a great way for faculty to stay connected with the FIU Online community and learn about new developments in online teaching.

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ONLINE LIVE FACULTY TRAINING FIU Online trains faculty members in the new technology and teaching methods used in a synchronous online learning format we call Online LIVE. The training covers multimedia production, interactive course design, and gamification.

PERSONALIZED INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN CONSULTATION Our one-on-one instructional design consultation and development model helps faculty create effective online courses that meet students’ needs. Our team guides on course design, multimedia production, and online pedagogy tailored to each instructor.

FIU ONLINE CON: Igniting Faculty Innovation and Inspiration FIU Online CON, an annual online learning conference for FIU faculty, has evolved since its launch in 2002, adapting to the changing needs of online learning in higher education. The conference continues to kindle a spirit of innovation and inspiration among faculty.

INNOVATION

INSPIRATION

FIU Online CON hosts breakout sessions and workshops on various topics related to online learning, such as course design, technology trends, accessibility, academic integrity, and equity in distance education. Each year, the conference focuses on an overarching theme that addresses faculty concerns. Past themes include “Charting Your Course” (2017) for new instructional design practices and “Your Course is Your Canvas” (2018) to explore the creative possibilities of the Canvas LMS.

The Annual Faculty Choice Awards, a cherished event at the conference, honors faculty and instructional designers who have delivered exceptional online courses. Faculty members can nominate their own courses then a panel of judges selects the winners.

The awards ceremony serves as inspiration for faculty members who aspire to create powerful learning experiences.

Themes like “Quest for Quality” (2019) emphasized quality course evaluation while “Cultivated” (2022) explored the response and growth of online learning in unpredictable times. For 2023, we hosted “Back to the Future,” which delved into how FIU Online will face upcoming changes in pedagogy and technology. These themes highlight how FIU Online CON empowers faculty with novel approaches to teaching, learning, and technology.

FIU Online CON also invites keynote speakers, including notable TV personalities like Ben Nemtin (2019), and Dr. John Medina (2022), a renowned nueroscientist, among others. Professors across disciplines still recall Erin Gruwell from Freedom Writers and his inspiring 2016 talk about taking risks in teaching and embracing failure as a means of growth.

ILLUMINATION In a rapidly evolving digital and educational landscape, FIU Online CON serves as an incubator of faculty innovation and mutual inspiration, sustaining FIU as a guiding light in online learning.

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INNOVATIVE From supporting K-12 teachers through free webinars to providing scholarships and equipping learners with essential certifications, FIU Online is dedicated to widening its impact. Discover how these special initiatives are transforming the online learning experience at FIU and beyond.

AARON RASMUSSEN, FOUNDER AND CEO OF OUTLIER ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP SUMMIT, 2021

COMMUNITY SERVICE Each year, FIU Online team members give back to the community through various service projects during their Fall Team Meetings. Activities include beautifying schools, supporting online learners with care kits, and showing gratitude to veterans.

CLICK-12 WEBINAR SERIES In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, FIU Online issued a free webinar series to help K-12 teachers adapt to remote teaching. With over 2,000 teachers from across the country and the Caribbean participating, CLICK-12 supplied insights on lesson design and using affordable ed-tech tools to support high-quality learning.

INNOVed CONFERENCE Over 100 instructional designers from more than 30 organizations in the US attended the Innoved Conference, hosted by FIU Online in 2017. Attendees learned about multimedia principles, research, and technology, while keynote speakers Jaime Casap and Denise Jacobs inspired creativity for improved learning outcomes.

ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP SUMMIT FIU Online knows that effective leadership is crucial to online learning success. The inaugural Academic Leadership Summit, held in 2021, discussed orchestrating online learning at the university, including FIU Online services and data-driven decision-making. Keynote speaker Aaron Rasmussen of Masterclass discussed reducing student debt and increasing access to an undergraduate education.

SCHOLARSHIPS FIU Online offers various scholarships, including the Corporate and Community Scholarship, the Academic Merit Scholarship, the FIU Online GET STARTED Scholarship, and the Distance Learning Scholarship, to help learners achieve their dreams.

CAREER ENGAGE Career Engage equips FIU Online students with essential certifications in leadership, interpersonal skills, and communication valued by employers. This powerful tool integrates seamlessly into each student’s academic experience, preparing them to excel in their chosen industry.

CREATORPRO An application developed in-house, CreatorPro, simplifies the creation and management of course syllabi. Integrated into Canvas, assignments and assessments can be linked to the syllabus for easy updates.

INVESTING IN THE LEARNER EXPERIENCE FIU Online has cultivated powerful partnerships to revolutionize the online learner experience.

Through significant partnerships with the EdTech industry, we have been able to enhance accessibility, engagement, and academic integrity while empowering instructors and students with top-notch technology.

Ally enhances digital content accessibility effortlessly.

Cidilabs Design Tools enables seamless creative course design.

Class for Zoom adds interactive classroom features to Zoom.

H5P creates interactive and engaging content.

Honorlock supports exam integrity with online proctoring.

Perusall fosters collaborative reading and discussion.

PlayPosit engages students with interactive video lessons.

Quality Profile reports the quality status of online courses.

Yellowdig cultivates social learning and course communities.

Delphinium creates gamified overlays, communications, and progress tracking.

Impact by Instructure boosts technology adoption and evaluates educational impact.

Genially helps designers unleash stunning interactive visuals.

Canvas LMS streamlines comprehensive online learning effortlessly.

Turnitin enhances the academic integrity of written work.

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LEVELING How FIU Online Aims to Dominate Digital Experiences and Esports in South Florida.

FIU Online is taking the South Florida digital scene to the next level with the cutting-edge FIU Online Interactive Learning Arena. The aim is to revolutionize research in learner engagement, forge a new academic path to emerging careers, and create a buzzing community center—all while positioning FIU as the region’s foremost authority on digital experiences and esports.

WORLD-BUILDING

HIGH-SCORING IMPACT

The FIU Online Interactive Learning Arena, located in the SIPA II building, is a Large Area Network (LAN) ready to take students, pro gamers, researchers, and content creators to new heights. As a lab for advancements in interactive learning, Al, and virtual and extended realities, it will also house a podcast studio, stream-casting capabilities, and an event venue. The facility will also proudly serve as home court for FIU’s intramural esports club and varsity league.

The FIU Online Interactive Learning Arena will not just be a hub for studies, esports, or advancing technological innovation. The arena plans to host community programs focused on supporting STEM initiatives and technological literacy.

Local youth, for instance, will soon be able to join coding boot camps as the elderly take cybersecurity seminars. FIU Online aims to use its high-tech facility for communitywide professional development and to make a positive impact on our immediate neighbors.

EDUCATING GAMECHANGERS FIU Online is seizing every educational opportunity with the FIU Online Interactive Learning Arena by developing an Esports & I-STEM Certification program in partnership with the College of Business. A groundbreaking academic pathway, the curriculum prepares students for emerging careers in the business of interactive tech. The program provides applied STEM approaches, and forms competencies in wellness, content strategy, and entrepreneurship with the aim of developing 21st century industry leaders.

INTERACTIVE STEM But what is I-STEM? Interactive STEM (I-STEM) is an original FIU discipline that focuses on studying and refining users’ experience with interactive simulation-based technologies. Esports is one of the many rapidly growing applications of I-STEM, requiring a skilled workforce trained in user engagement. As Al and XR continue to shape our lives, I-STEM aims to understand their long-term impact while meeting industry skills gaps.

GAME ON FIU Online will power up the next generation of industry leaders and community builders through the FIU Online Interactive Learning Arena. But it’s about fun too. With the launch of FIU Esports, students, faculty, and the wider South Florida community can tap into a thrilling new outlet for Panther pride. From immersive digital experiences to intramural and varsity sports, FIU Online and the university community can expect big wins in the years to come.

THE NEXT WAVE Over the past 25 years, FIU Online has navigated the changing tides of technology and education, propelling itself on the crests of excellence.

What started as a one-course experiment has surged into a centralized Online Program Experience (OPX) team for FIU, a testament to our unwavering commitment to meeting learners where they are.

But our voyage doesn’t end here.

With daring initiatives in digital experiences, fullservice online leadership services, and industryshaking conferences, our team’s unparalleled expertise will usher in the next wave of online learning.

We hope you’ll join us.

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