The HETS Connection: Volume : 6 - Issue : 3 - OCTOBER 2010
Volume : 6 - Issue : 3 - NOVEMBER 2010
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Dear colleagues, and friends:
As HETS starts a new year, many challenges and exciting ventures await. These
past years have certainly been full of accomplishments, new venues, and growth.
HETS not only closed FY 2009-2010 with a lot of achievements and opened doors,
but also closed a three-year strategic plan term with much more than the
organization had planned and expected. It was an honor for me to lead the
organization in a period so full of advancements.
Throughout the last three years, the organization reached impressive levels of
self-sustainability and recognition. These years were also characterized by high
involvement from Board members, as well as from faculty, staff, and other
constituencies from member institutions. Members' involvement was evident last
January 2010, when more than 20 member institutions actively participated and
got together to share their innovative practices at the HETS first ever annual
conference: the HETS Best Practices Showcase. Also, recently, members from the
Board of Directors gathered to work on the organization's first peer review
publication, which will be launched during the month of September. Numerous
educational opportunities were offered and various events were organized in
several regions of the United States, Puerto Rico, and even internationally.
HETS's growth will continue steadily throughout years to come, as the Consortium will soon begin implementing its
next strategic plan. Recently, the Board of Directors elected a new group of Board officers, including a new
Chairman. This will bring many new opportunities for the Consortium, as changes in leadership bring along new
insights, experiences, and resources. It has been a pleasure to be part of this journey as Chairman of the Board for
the past four years. I will continue working proactively and dynamically as the Board's Vice Chair.
It is an honor to write this first HETS Connection message as the Chairman of the HETS Board of Directors. For
many years, I have had the opportunity to watch this organization evolve and it is a pleasure for me to continue
supporting its growth from this position.
HETS continues the efforts to provide services, tools and opportunities based on the latest trends in the industry
and ongoing assessment of members needs. I would like to make you part of HETS's latest achievements. This
HETS Connection issue includes information about some of the most prominent activities currently taking place to
benefit our members. These include: the submission of an Education Research Grant, the appointment of the new
HETS Executive Assistant and Public Relations Coordinator, and the affiliation of the HETS first Major Corporate
Partner and our 30th institutional member, among others.
I would like to also highlight that HETS is starting an ambitious initiative. In a bold attempt to reach the many
scholars who use technology and who are interested in Hispanic student access and completion, an Online HETS
journal was launched this fall. This important publication will serve as forum for discussion on important issues
affecting our students. However, any publication is dependent of how the readership reacts to the quality of the
articles. We appreciate your opinions and recommendations. Let us know how we are doing: Is the online format
good for you? Are the articles timely and relevant to your work and your interest? Would you use this vehicle to
inform other scholars about your findings? We are excited about the prospects and we hope that you enjoy reading
and contributing to the Online Journal.
As usual this issue of the HETS Connection gives our members a chance to learn more about what has been done,
not only by the HETS Office, but also by members and partners who collaborate to enhance opportunities in higher
education. Hope you enjoy it.
Kind Regards,
Eduardo Martí, PhD
Chairman of the HETS Board of Directors
Vice Chancellor for Community Colleges
The City University of New York
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In this Issue
MESSAGE FROM THE
CHAIRMAN
HETS Launches First
Issue of the HETS
Online Journal
HETS Channel in
YouTube
HETS appoints new
Executive Assistant
and Public Relations
Coordinator
More than 70 Attend
HETS-Blackboard
Conference
HETS Represented in
the 2010 IberoAmerican Edition of
the Horizon Report
Highlights from the
HETS-Blackboard
Event in Puerto Rico
2011 Education
Research Grant
Opportunity for HETS
HETS Welcomes
Major Corporate
Partner: Ramona
Munsell and
Associates, Inc.
HETS Reaches 30:
Meet our Newest
Member Institution
HETS Board Meeting:
January 2011
The HETS Connection: Volume : 6 - Issue : 3 - OCTOBER 2010
HETS Launches First Issue of the HETS Online Journal
"Take education to a higher level. Let's share our knowledge with the
world"
On October 1st , HETS launched the Inaugural issue of the HETS Online
Journal, a peer reviewed electronic publication that will be published
twice a year. The purpose of the HETS Online Journal is to disseminate
the research, findings, use and best practices in online education
among those interested in this topic worldwide. Especially, this
publication intends to reach professionals interested in the areas of
online teaching, learning, and training. The journal essentially
publishes original, peer-reviewed and high quality scientific papers,
research review, evidence-based articles, as well as other products of
research in the field of technology in education.
On October 22, 2010, a first HETS Online Journal Webinar was held in
order to discuss with our members the most important aspects of this
publication, including the impact of the Journal, guidelines for
publication, and opportunities for submission. This first webinar was
moderated by HETS Chairman Dr. Eduardo Martí, Chief Editor Dr.
Ivonne Chirino, and HETS Executive Director Yubelkys Montalvo. It was
coordinated by Mick de los Santos, from Blackboard Collaborate, Inc,
which sponsored the webinar. A second Online Journal webinar took
place on November 12, as part of the celebration of the National Distance Learning Week, promoted by the United
States Distance Learning (USDLA). This time, the authors of the first issue's articles had the opportunity to share
and discuss the topics included in the inaugural issue.
The inaugural issue of the HETS Online Journal included a total of four peer reviewed articles from authors from
Lehman College, Queensborough Community College, Kutztown University and COBIMET. Authors Maryam Bamshad,
Gina Rae Foster, and Paul G. Krauzer (Lehman College) used a case study to describe challenges and results of
implementing a constructivist model of instruction at a mid size urban college in the article Can Computer Technology
Improve the Quality of Science Education at Urban Universities. Jean Darcy, Joan Dupre, and Michele Cuomo
discussed how the Queensborough Community College has committed to promoting high impact practices in the
classroom that promote student engagement by encouraging active learning to appeal to diverse student groups in
the article An ePortfolio Virtual Learning Community within a Traditional Classroom Space: The Student in a Global
Social Networking Community. On the other hand, William Jefferson, Kathleen Hartman and Vera Brancato focused on
how faculty at Kutztown University has taken full advantage of the use of “Classroom Clicker Technology” across
campus. This article also discusses activities using clickers in a first year seminar to better engage generation Y
students who want technology and interaction in the classroom. In the article COBIMET Library Consortium, Mr. Carlos
Crespo describes the experiences of the only registered library consortium under the State Department of Puerto Rico,
constituted by four Hispanic Higher Education Institutions in Puerto Rico.
The deadline to submit articles for the Spring Issue of the HETS Online Journal is January
2nd, 2011. Articles can be submitted in either English or Spanish. To learn more about the guidelines to submit
your article, the Editorial Board, and authors of our inaugural issue please go to http://www.hets.org/journal/ and
register to access the articles.
Enjoy! "Take education to a higher level. Let's share our knowledge with the world"
The HETS Connection: Volume : 6 - Issue : 3 - OCTOBER 2010
HETS Channel in YouTube
We are pleased to share with
you a new way to learn more
about HETS events and
initiatives:
The
HETS
YouTube Channel. Through
the HETS YouTube Channel,
you will find excerpts from
the recent HETS Online
Journal Webinar and photo
Galleries
of
activities
sponsored by HETS and its
members. Video clips of
news and events from HETS
member
institutions
and
partners are also highlighted.
The Consortium seeks to use
this Channel as a vehicle of
communication and sharing
of recent events related to its
mission. We have already
subscribed
to
thirteen
Channels of our member
institutions.
As
HETS
Executive Director Yubelkys
Montalvo states, "this is
another example of how
technology can especially
transform service delivery
styles and open the doors to
a
larger
spectrum
of
audiences.
This
medium
fosters the expansion of a
web
of
services
and
strengthens our capabilities
to collaborate with
one
another in a world where it is
increasingly necessary to
create economies of scales in
order
to
expand
the
possibilities of local learners
and global learners."
We encourage our members
who have a YouTube Channel
to contribute by subscribing to our Channel and linking HETS TV Channel to your websites. Feel free to visit us at
HETS TV Channel at YouTube. As always, we welcome and appreciate your comments and suggestions.
HETS appoints new Executive Assistant and Public Relations
Coordinator
Last September 20, 2010, after striving to identify the most adept candidate, HETS
hired Ms. Yelixa M. Castro-Cruz, MBA as the new Executive Assistant and Public
Relations Coordinator.
Ms. Castro-Cruz earned a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the Inter
American University of Puerto Rico. She also holds a BBA in Marketing Management, with
a minor in Public Communication from the University of Puerto Rico. For the past eight
years, Yelixa Castro worked as Product Planner and Marketing Specialist in the
Automotive Industry. She has vast experience with all aspects of the business strategic
and marketing plan processes, the development and execution of new product launches,
product training, public relations, media material development, and promotion
strategies. Prior to this, Castro-Cruz served as Website administrator and has been
involved in the process of the establishing a new local website, responsible for updates,
news, traffic statistics analysis, and follow up to customers for feedback.
We feel incredibly honored to welcome Yelixa to our family. We hope to continue offering you quality services and
continue moving forward to the accomplishment of our mission.
Mrs. Castro can be contacted by email her at ymcastro@suagm.edu.
The HETS Connection: Volume : 6 - Issue : 3 - OCTOBER 2010
More than 70 Attend HETS-Blackboard Conference
As part of HETS efforts and commitment to the
professional development of its members, HETS
joined forces with Blackboard to deliver an
educational conference to its member institutions in
Puerto Rico last November 5, 2010. The event, held
at the facilities of the Polytechnic University of
Puerto Rico, included several sessions on how to
effectively maximize the use of Blackboard tools.
Experts from HETS member institutions and
Blackboard Corporation also presented some of their
best practices using Blackboard technologies and
resources.
This successful event had more than 70 attendees
from nearly all member institutions in Puerto Rico,
including: Polytechnic University, University of the
Sacred Heart, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto
Rico, National College, Huertas Junior College,
Caribbean University, Carlos Albizu University, Ana
G. Mendez University System (Universidad Metropolitana, Universidad del Turabo, Universidad del Este), University
of Puerto Rico (Medical Sciences, Rio Piedras, Ponce Campuses), Interamerican University (Metropolitan, Guayama,
Bayamón, and Aguadilla campuses and the School of Optometry) and EDP College.
Mr. Juan Lucca, President of Blackboard International opened the day with the Plenary session “Blackboard in Puerto
Rico”, which highlighted the company's direction towards new technologies including Blackboard Mobile, Mobile
Learn, Blackboard Connect and Blackboard Collaborate. Several tracks were presented on concurrent sessions
throughout the day, with speakers from Blackboard Inc, Caribbean University, Interamerican University, University of
Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, and Ana G. Mendez University System.
At the end of the day, all participants gathered for the concluding remarks from Blackboard International's
President, Juan Lucca, and HETS Executive Director, Yubelkys Montalvo. As part of the closing session, as part of
Blackboard's sponsorship, several items were given away to attendees, including several iPods, a mobile phone
(courtesy of one of Blackboard's partners), and an iPad.
For your convenience, we include a summary of the presentations delivered during this event in the next section of
the HETS Connection. For more information about this conference and conference speakers, as well as to view some
of the presentations and a gallery of event pictures, please visit the Events section of the HETS website at
http://www.hets.org/.
Highlights from the HETS-Blackboard Event in Puerto Rico
This section includes a summary of the presentations delivered during the HETS-Blackboard event in Puerto Rico,
held on November 5, 2010 at the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico. For more information, please visit the HETS
website (http://www.hets.org/).
Blackboard Connect and Blackboard Mobile
Mr. Rodrigo Triana, Sr. Program Manager at Blackboard Mobile showed how to build a mobile strategy for any
institution to help increase not only student participation but also satisfaction levels. He also discussed how
Blackboard can help access the latest mobile technologies. With Mr. Triana, together with Jossie Salguero,
Director of the Telecommunications and Information Technology Center at the Inter American University
The HETS Connection: Volume : 6 - Issue : 3 - OCTOBER 2010
of Puerto Rico, shared the institution's experience after acquiring Blackboard Connect and Blackboard Mobile in
2009. Blackboard Connect has the capability of keeping contact with students, faculty, and institutional
administration before or during an emergency.
Migration to Blackboard 9.1 version
Prof. Carlos Ortiz, Director of the Information and Educational Resources at the School of Health
Professions of the University of Puerto Rico's Medical Sciences Campus, explored and explained all tools and
resources available through Blackboard 9.1, the newest Blackboard version. Participants learned about the
advantages of migrating to this new version. The presenter also shared useful information regarding the
extraordinary impact of Blackboard 9.1 in course content and design and its benefit for both faculty and students.
Learning Management System (LMS) and Grade Center
Prof. Ana Milena Lucumi, Director of E-learning for Ana G. Mendez University System, helped participants
learn about the functions of Blackboard's Grade Center in version 9.0. Bb's Grade Center was set to ease the
administrative workload of teachers, enhance student's immediate feedback option, and allow the learner a
continuous monitoring of his/her progress in the course. Professor Lucumi also discussed how to perform a diversity
of activities related to the Grade Center, including the automatic arrangement of columns of skills, the provision of
feedback on particular assessed tasks, and the creation of both collective and individual reports using this system.
Blackboard Outcomes System
Caribbean University's Dr. Edgardo Rosaly, VP of Accreditation and International Affairs, and Prof. Waldo
Sánchez, Director of Communications and Institutional Educational Technology, delivered a presentation on
the effectiveness of the Institutional Assessment System in the accreditation process using Blackboard's Outcomes.
They described planning, measurement, and evaluation strategies carried out at Caribbean University. In addition,
they presented the challenges encountered with these processes and how the Outcomes Appraisal System has
become a tool to facilitate and overcome these challenges.
Building Blocks
Spencer Lawson, Solutions Engineer for Blackboard, Inc, showed how to extendthe openness of the Blackboard
platform through the Blackboard Alliance Partnership Network. The Blackboard Alliance Partnership Network has over
2,500 Building Blocks Partners. In this presentation, Spencer highlighted a few of the key Alliance Partners that may
help you meet the strategic goals of your institution and better engage your students.
Elluminate and Wimba Building Blocks
Mick de los Santos, Regional Sales Manager, Blackboard Collaborate discussed how the merge of industry
leaders Elluminate and Wimba- Blackboard Collaborate offers a possibility for enhanced open education. He focused
on solutions to enhance and increase the apprenticeship, reduce costs, and improve performance to enable student
services without barriers of place and time. De los Santos showed how Blackboard Collaborate has alliance building
with clients such as the Department of Education of Puerto Rico and the Inter American University, as well as other
universities around the world.
2011 Education Research Grant Opportunity for HETS
HETS is once again competing for an award from the Institute of
Education Sciences to conduct an educational research that will provide the
opportunity to increase existing knowledge on student success and provide with
elements to develop interventions to facilitate learning and foster Hispanic
learner success in Higher Education. On September 16, HETS submitted a
research proposal on exploring the relationship between the learning styles and
educational outcomes of Hispanic Students and the teaching styles of faculty
teaching in an e-learning course environment in five state-side sites and two
Puerto Rican universities.
HETS submitted this proposal as part of its research agenda with the support of
a research team, constituted by expert collaborators from HETS member
institutions in Puerto Rico, and the participation of seven out of its 29 member
institutions. Members institutions participating in this study are: Metropolitan
University, Ana G. Mendez University System; University of the Sacred Heart;
University of New Mexico; University of Texas at Brownsville; University of Texas
Pan American; Fort Hays State University and Lehman College.
In order to consider member's institutions' participation in this effort, the HETS
office took into consideration the following aspects: research interest,
availability and accessibility of an institutional liaison to collaborate with the
research team and HETS office, availability of fully online or hybrid course
offerings, significant proportion of Hispanic students enrolled in such courses,
and level of flexibility in institutional processes in order to facilitate tracking procedures. Participating institutions
also had to offer, at minimum, baccalaureate degrees, since the longitudinal study would extend for three years.
Throughout the proposed longitudinal study, selected liaison personnel at the seven participating institutions will
identify and select randomly 50 students per year (for a three year period) and the professors in charge of their
e-learning courses. In total 1,925 students and those professors who teach those students and volunteer to
participate during the three year period will be included.
The HETS Connection: Volume : 6 - Issue : 3 - OCTOBER 2010
The overall purpose of this study is to contribute with the improvement of persistence in, and completion of
postsecondary education by exploring the effect of similar and dissimilar learning and teaching styles that are
associated with retention, and completion of postsecondary education, for the purpose of identifying potential
targets of intervention. Ultimately, the study will contribute to sustain theories of change for education interventions
concerning the learning styles of Hispanic students. The results will be used to inform the development of a future
intervention and promote projects to develop innovative educational interventions and innovation projects related to
persistence and completion of postsecondary education. This study will help develop an array of tools and strategies
to improve retention, persistence in, and completion of postsecondary education.
For more information on this effort or to obtain access to the proposal submitted, please contact the HETS office.
HETS Welcomes Major Corporate Partner: Ramona Munsell and
Associates, Inc.
HETS is pleased to announce that Ramona Munsell and Associates Consulting, Inc. (RMA)
has become its first ever Major Corporate Partner, a commitments that extends throughout
a three-year period, beginning on October 2010.
RMA specializes in institutional development and undergraduate education for public and private two-year and
four-year colleges and universities by securing funds through U.S. Department of Education grant programs: Title III,
Strengthening Institutions; Title V, Developing Hispanic- Serving Institutions (HSI); TRIO (Student Support Services,
Upward Bound, Talent Search, and McNair Scholars programs); and Gaining Early Awareness & Readiness for
Undergraduate Programs (GEAR-UP). With an outstanding record of success for over 20 years, RMA offers its clients a
clear advantage in competing for federal grants.
RMA's contribution will be designated to support the expansion of new programs and services for HETS member
institutions, including professional development events, special educational workshops, and the HETS Online
Journal. The Major Partner will also be able to share news and resources with HETS members through the HETS
Connection, other publications, and events.
As Major Corporate Partner, RMA will enjoy several benefits, including: invitation to HETS Board Meetings,
promotional participation in HETS workshops, targeted marketing and promotion through HETS email campaigns,
exhibition space at HETS special events, the opportunity to survey targeted audiences on particular topics of
interest, recognition in the HETS Annual Report, sponsorship of professional certifications for faculty, and recognition
as developer of a special educational workshop for HETS member institutions, among other benefits.
HETS is delighted to have Ramona Munsell & Associates, Inc as its partner. Thank you for your active involvement
towards the accomplishment of this educational higher vision.
The HETS Connection: Volume : 6 - Issue : 3 - OCTOBER 2010
HETS Reaches 30: Meet our Newest Member Institution
HETS Welcomes its 30th Member Institution: EDP College
EDP is a postsecondary education in Puerto Rico characterized by its technological and socio-humanistic focus. With
campuses in the municipalities of San Juan and San Sebastian, EDP is also recognized by a flexible, non-traditional
educational design and the innovative use of information technologies both at the academic and management level.
Founded more than 40 years ago, EDP offers undergraduate and graduate programs through several modalities and
experiences. In 2006, the institution became the first private independent institution in Puerto Rico to be accredited
by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education up to the master's level. The institution obtained
accreditation through 2011, complying satisfactorily with the 14 standards of excellence proposed by the accrediting
organization. EDP is also accredited by the Puerto Rico Council on Higher Education and the Puerto Rico General
Council on Education. One of the areas of greatest and fastest growth for this institution is the online education
modality. The institution seeks to offer its students a complete interactive classroom experience characterized by
ongoing collaboration with faculty and student colleagues.
Welcome to the HETS family!
HETS Board Meeting: January 2011
HETS next Board Meeting will take place Thursday, January 13, and Friday,
January 14, 2011 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This time, our Host Institution
will be the University of Sacred Heart in Santurce, Puerto Rico. We express
our gratitude to Dr. José Jaime Rivera for his willingness to host this winter's
Board Meeting.
We look forward to seeing you all soon in Puerto Rico!