Hybrid and Online Course Agreement
Hybrid and Online Course Agreement
University of Maryland School of Dentistry
Individuals registering for hybrid (combination of face-to-face and online) and online courses must understand the parameters and constraints of this non-traditional learning format. This hybrid and online course agreement sets forth parameters in an effort to make expectations clear. Please thoroughly read this document, sign and date on the signature page indicating that you have read and understand the student’s responsibility in agreeing to hybrid and/or online course participation.
This signed document covers all courses of study for the current academic year for which you are enrolled. Reference to this document is available on the dental school’s website, Dental Student Policies and you are encouraged to keep a copy of this agreement and to contact the Office of Academic Affairs should you have any questions.
Course access: You are responsible for having consistent access to a computer with an Internet connection that utilizes a browser (Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and/or Firefox). This will enable you to access courses through cloud based Blackboard, the course management system supported by the Dental School and a few other applications/systems.
Server Maintenance: Access to the Blackboard courses and other educational technologies will remain relatively constant throughout the duration of the course. Please note that the servers have varied scheduled maintenance times typically during low usage, e.g. 3 am, and courses and their content may be unavailable during these times. Significant scheduled maintenance activities are electronically posted by the campus IT administrators and available to all Blackboard users well in advance of the scheduled dates.
Communication: The primary method for communicating online is through the Blackboard course site; however, when you have an urgent/private issue that needs to be discussed, you should e-mail your course director or schedule an appointment during office hours.
Academic Dishonesty: Cheating, plagiarism, violating copyright laws and other acts of academic dishonesty are held as serious offenses and can result in dismissal from the program.
Instructors have the responsibility to report any such incidents in writing to the Professional Conduct Committee (Judicial Board). Additionally, students have the responsibility to report such incidents to the Professional Conduct Committee. Serious penalties may be imposed which, depending on the nature of the incident, could include loss of course points, failure of the course, permanent expulsion from the class, program or college or other action deemed appropriate by the Professional Conduct Committee.
Each student enrolled in the Dental School is expected to have reviewed the Judicial Policy, available electronically on the dental school’s website at: Student Judicial Policy. Each examination is governed by the same Judicial Policy and includes a statement indicating that each student submitting an examination agrees to uphold this policy.
Confidentiality: All student work and grades will be confidential. As with any computer-based system, there is the possibility of an individual hacking into the system and confidential information being obtained. UMB maintains every effort to prevent this from happening. If you have any concerns about computer hacking, contact the Dental School’s information technology help desk at 410-706-2084 or dshelp@umaryland.edu. If you suspect that your personal computer or files have been compromised and/or information stolen or altered, you should contact your course director as soon as possible to file a formal incident report. It is your responsibility to reproduce any work required for the course.
Ethical Behavior: Students are expected to operate within the ethical boundaries of their chosen profession. All electronic communication with other classmates and the instructor must be conducted without profanity, bias or discrimination. All coursework must be conducted and turned in by the individual registered for the course. All work submitted must be original work.
Online Examination Policy:
Regardless of the format, each examination is governed by the Judicial Policy stated above and the sanctions for breaking such policy. Each online examination includes a statement indicating that each student submitting an examination agrees to uphold this policy.
Each examination is scheduled to begin at the specific time (EST) indicated by the course director. Specific start times are applicable to all students scheduled to take examinations regardless of whether the exam is an online or paper and regardless of whether the student is on-site or off-site. Presenting late to scheduled examinations distracts other test takers, inconveniences proctors who are scheduled in advance for each testing situation and compromises the security of exam-taking conditions.
For fairness and consideration to all on-site and off-site students and proctors, a 15-minute leeway time is the MAXIMUM allowable time provided for a student to present for an examination and begin taking their exam. Students must check in at the scheduled start time for their exam. At the discretion of the course director, students arriving at an examination beyond 15 minutes after the scheduled start time may not be allowed to sit for the scheduled exam. The course director will decide the outcome of a student missing an exam which may include, but is not limited to, receiving a zero for the examination and academic counseling with both faculty and administrators of the Dental School.
Conduct During Onsite Online Examinations (QuestionMark)
- Regardless of the format, all examinations are governed by the Judicial Policy and the sanctions for breaking such policy. Each online examination includes a statement indicating that each student submitting an examination agrees to uphold this policy.
- For all exams, students must bring their UMB One Card (student ID) and have their ID visibly displayed.
- Students will enter the examination room and be seated by filling the rows from the front of the room to the back.
- Students may not leave the examination room once it begins without permission of the course director or the proctor unless they have completed the exam.
- No food or beverages are allowed in the examination room.
- Students must refrain from talking once the examination begins.
- Activity in examination rooms will be recorded via video cameras.
- No electronic, hand-held or wearable devices are permitted. Examples include: smartphones and other mobile phones (even if they are turned off), smart watches, tablets, cameras, USB devices, PDAs, CDs, personal music players, etc.
- Students realizing, they have electronic devices on their person once the exam has started, should raise their hand, and once recognized, place their device in their backpack to avoid consequences.
Attendance and Time Commitment: Students are expected to follow the UMSOD Attendance Policy (or as outlined by their specific program) as well as course policies regarding attendance as reflected in syllabi. Students are expected to spend at least three hours per credit hour per week on their courses. Online learning requires a great deal of self-discipline and time-management skills. Though the courses are conducted online, they are scheduled to take place during a specific day(s) and time(s) (EST) of the week. Course time that is synchronous (everyone online at the same time) will be scheduled during the course’s designated weekly time (chats, virtual classroom). The recommendation is that course work also be completed during the course’s weekly designated time. In addition, there will be scheduled, proctored exams (that occur during designated class times), and there may be other scheduled ‘live’ sessions.
Technical Support: When a technical problem occurs it is the student’s responsibility to contact the help desk at 410-706-2084 or dshelp@umaryland.edu. If technical problems prevent a student from being able to submit their assignment electronically, they should send an email to the course director to explain the difficulty as soon as possible. If students cannot use email, they should call the course director to explain the difficulty. If students reach the course director’s voicemail, they should leave a message explaining the difficulty and a phone contact where they can be reached.
Class Announcements: General announcements or changes to the course will be listed under the Announcements of Blackboard. You should use the discussion board to post questions to your classmates and/or the course coordinator as you progress through the course. Specific discussion boards may be designated for student-to-student use and for student to faculty use.
Course Syllabus & Requirements: It is your responsibility to read and understand the content included in each course syllabus and/or manual, and all other course-related materials. Should you need clarification, contact your course director. Refer to your course syllabi for specific details relating to instructor feedback and grading, communication requirements, exact course credit hours, and for each course’s scheduled weekly day and time.
Updated: August 19, 2014
Reviewed: August 1, 2016
Updated: September 1, 2018
Reviewed: August 1, 2019
Updated: August 1, 2020
Hybrid and Online Course Agreement
University of Maryland School of Dentistry
I have read this Hybrid and Online Course Agreement pertaining to my course of study for this school year, understand and accept this policy and agree to uphold the student’s responsibility in registering and participating in online courses.
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Signed Date
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Printed Name