The Master of Distance Education

Dr. Stella PortoInformation and Technology Systems DepartmentGraduate School of Management & TechnologyUniversity of Maryland University College

Master of Distance Education: partnership

The Partners:U of MarylandMaryland U College

The Partners:U of MarylandMaryland U College

The Partners:U of MarylandMaryland U College

Online enrollment > 177,000

Head count > 86,000

Enrollment > 272,000

2nd largest state institution in the US

> 100 degree programs fully online

Context and landscapeOldenburg

Context and landscapeOldenburg

Context and landscapeOldenburg

The Master of Distance Education:Past

• The creation of the program Natural fit for UMUC: practical leadership in DE

translated into theoretical leadership Historical accident: Two experts with a common

project funded by AT&T grant - “The Virtual Seminar” Seminar delivered online for professional

development in DE

The Master of Distance Education:Past

• Advantages of this historical ‘accident’… Quick ‘time to market’ Trust among partners Test bed with a network of experts International dimension Quality beyond regular graduate programs

Visiting experts Research Faculty development

The Master of Distance Education:Present

The Master of Distance Education: Present - Mission

FacultySupport

FacultySupport

InstructionDesign &Support

InstructionDesign &Support

Leaders &Managers

Leaders &Managers

HigherEducation

HigherEducation

Media & technology

Media & technology

CorporateTraining &Learning

CorporateTraining &Learning

DistanceEducation

DistanceEducation

The Master of Distance Education:Focus

• Core competencies Managing the distance education system in a variety of

settings Planning, budgeting, development, delivery, and support of

distance education and distance training programs

• Target Audience Potential managers of the distance education enterprise in:

Educational organizations Corporate / Business Government & Military Non-profit and associations

• Entirely online for part-time working adults• International• Collaborative

The Master of Distance Education Present - Curriculum

Core

DE Foundations: systems view, technology, online teaching & learning, costing and student support

Technology

LeadershipInstructional Design

MultimediaGlobalization & Development

Advanced TechnologiesInternet Technologies

Teaching & Training

Instructional DesignLibrary & Copyright

AssessmentMultimedia

Distance Training Virtual K-12

Policy & Management

LeadershipDE Systems

Library & CopyrightAssessmentDE Business

Globalization & Development

Capstone : E-portfolio & Research Project

Course development

• UMUC DE Technologies Training at a distance DE in K-12 Library and copyright Instructional design Leadership DE systems Business in DE

• Oldenburg Foundations Costing and Budgeting Learner support Multimedia in DE Assessment Globalization and

development

• Oldenburg Foundations Costing and Budgeting Learner support Multimedia in DE Assessment Globalization and

development

• UMUC DE Technologies Training at a distance DE in K-12 Library and copyright Instructional design Leadership DE systems Business in DE

Course development

Each partner is responsible for the development of its share of courses, and owns the decisions of staffing the course every time it offered

Course delivery

Course delivery

Asynchronous mode (synchronous activities are infrequent and usually not mandatory)

Proprietary platform

Everything done online, including assessment

Course delivery

UMUC is the responsible partner for all of course delivery functions:

-IT infrastructure & support

- Operational teaching & learning support (other than faculty staffing)

-Digital library & copyright support

Library Services

• Databases• E-journal + e-

books• Books and

interlibrary loan• Tutorials for

research skills• Librarian support:

email, chat, phone, in-class (online)

• E-reserves• Effective Writing

Center

Student support

Student support: services

• Enrollment management / Registrar Admissions Financial aid Registration Advising Graduation

• Portal with self-services• Academic specialist within the department• Program director• Library• Office of disabilities

Student support

UMUC is the responsible partner for all* of student support functions:

-Graduate advising

-Admissions, registering, financial aid…

-Applying for graduation, diplomas & certificates…

- Self services through portal

Faculty support

Faculty support: services

• Recruitment• Training: getting certified to teach online• Professional development: continuous

workshops in a variety of themes• Library support: resources and librarians• Events: program-based and institution-based• Administrative support• Technical support• Instructional support

Faculty support

UMUC is the responsible partner for all* of faculty support functions:

-Faculty services

-Faculty training

-Faculty assessment

Research

Edited by OL.

The 13 volumes already developed will be soon available in e-book format.

Books are adopted as part of several courses.

Several edited with contributions with many experts in DE.

International faculty & visiting experts

• Technological infrastructure

• Organizational support

• Leadership support• Support and training

infrastructure

The Synergy of both partners

• Research• Historical

involvement in DE• Network of experts

Communication

Diversity

Recognition & Value in DE

Quality

Autonomy

Faculty development

Other environments: Community information

Other environments: Community knowledge

Other environments: Community building

Other environments: Faculty Sharing

Final remarks:Latest and future

• Extension of the collaboration Dual degrees Oldenburg PhD option Partnering with international programs in smaller scale

• Potential greater internationalization of the student body

• Adoption of emerging technologies• Greater interest in the partnership at the

leadership level• Community building efforts• Student and graduate involvement• Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the program

2009-2010

Thank you…

Contact:

sporto@umuc.edu