Math teacher wins national online education award – News Center
The United States Distance Learning Association has named Jeremy Glass, associate professor of mathematics at the University of Texas at Arlington, the gold winner of its 2022 Excellence Award for Distance Education. The international award is given to an exceptional individual or team of individuals whose teaching demonstrates extraordinary achievement.
Glass said he strives to build a sense of community in his online classes so students feel welcome and supported.
“When instructors provide flexibility through asynchronous activities and open due dates, there’s an inherent lack of community,” Glass said. “My goal is to create a welcoming and safe environment where students feel comfortable learning and making mistakes alongside their peers.”
To create a community, Glass asks its students to join a synchronous webcast every week. Under Glass’s guidance, students solve the week’s toughest math problems and assignments in real time.
Greg Wells, who is seeking a second bachelor’s degree in computer science and engineering, took Glass’s “Calculus I” course online. Wells said Glass’s methods for student engagement created an online learning environment unlike those he had experienced.
“He sincerely wants each of his students to succeed,” Wells said. “His passion for teaching was palpable and contributed to an exceptional learning experience.”
Glass has played an important role in the Department of Mathematics’ efforts to improve student achievement rates, creating online math courses and developing innovative instructional models. His success in implementing these new teaching methods was reflected in increased enrollment and student success in basic math courses.
Jianzhong Su, Professor and Chair of Mathematics, recommended Glass for the award, citing his leadership role in developing an innovative online math program.
“Jeremy has been instrumental in developing a uniquely effective and innovative undergraduate teaching methodology for online math courses,” Su said. “Its success is not only reflected in increased enrollment, but also in the outstanding performance of its students.”
During the 2020-21 academic year, UTA offered nearly 12,000 online courses. UTA’s entire core curriculum is available online, and the University offers fully online undergraduate and graduate degrees in more than a dozen disciplines.
US news and world report consistently recognizes UTA’s online programs as some of the best in the country. In 2022, the College of Education and College of Nursing and Health Innovation’s online master’s degree programs ranked among the top 60 in the nation.