Year-Round Balanced Learning

Objectives of Year-Round Balanced Learning

UAT combined educational “global best practices” with its own research to create a learning model called Year-Round Balanced Learning (YRBL).

These are the objectives of YRBL:

• Teach students to work effectively in teams
• Effectively address individual student differences and different learning styles
• Provide greater knowledge and skills
• Improve the ability to retain information over time
• Improve student retention through the development of social ties and teams
• Help students mature and become self-reliant
• Teach students not only how to learn but to learn using technology tools

The YRBL model includes these factors:

• Metacognition and Blended Delivery
• Flexible scheduling
• Three-tiered curricular approach

Metacognition and Blended Delivery

The metacognitive strategy at UAT has been incorporated into our resident and online classes for several years, enabling students to interact through group and independent projects beyond the classroom.

The components of the UAT traditional metacognitive model are incorporated into the classroom, but now the University has added online learning and other asynchronous activities. This model includes the following:

• Lecture
• Tutorial Teaching (Instructor-led and Self-directed)
• Group Recollection
• Student Teachback
• Discovery Learning

Flexible Scheduling

Year-Round Classes: UAT puts student success first and foremost among the University's goals. Offering a constant and consistent opportunity to learn can help students advance and gain control of their own schooling. Students are not required to attend year-round, but it is an option that many take advantage of.

Online Classes: The University strives to provide a location that exists in both the physical and online spheres, giving students complete control over how they choose to access their classes and gain knowledge. Moreover, resident students have the opportunity to register for UAT-Online courses.

Alternative learning options: Students must experience a diversity of learning settings. These options include taking part in applied projects, research, community service, internships and independent study. These options empower students to focus on their individual interests and passions.

Three-Tiered Curricular Approach

This multilevel approach was developed to ensure that students not only continue to receive up-to-date skills, but that they balance these skills with a conceptual base. With that understanding, students produce complete projects to demonstrate an understanding of what they are learning and to include in their portfolios when they graduate.

Conceptual/Foundation courses are designed to provide students with the history, concepts and fundamental skills of their technology discipline.

Skill or tool courses are designed to train students in the latest technology tools associated with their program.

Capstone/Synthesis courses are designed for students to work independently or in teams to produce complete, complex works in their discipline.

Graduation Requirements

The University maintains a portfolio requirement that every graduate “must produce a complete portfolio of multiple works demonstrating mastery within their discipline plus their ability to work in a team environment.”

In addition, students are required to complete Writing Intensive courses, which are designed to promote solid communication skills within their major.

UAT’s internship requirement applies to all disciplines. Students must demonstrate their ability to perform outside of the classroom.