The MLS OnlineJana Bradley, DirectorLibrary Science ProgramSchool of Information StudiesSyracuse UniversitySyracuse, New [email protected]
ONLINE DEGREES:Introduction
Alternatives to campus education From online courses to degrees Rethinking online course structure Rethinking online pedagogy Rethinking entire degree delivery
online
ONLINE DEGREES: Syracuse Experience
School of Information Studies, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York
Library education since 1896 Limited residency distance MLS,
since 1993 Online delivery of 3 master’s
degrees
SCHOOL OF INFORMATION STUDIES Interdisciplinary information school 5 degrees
Master of Library Science Master of Information Management Master of Telecommunication and
Network Management Bachelor of Information Management
and Technology Ph.D. in Information Transfer
LIMITED RESIDENCY ONLINE PROGRAMS
Limited residency, online delivery options for MLS, IM, TNM digress
Initial 7-10 days on campus Internet courses
with 3-4 day residencies without residencies
Primarily part-time students
ONLINE MLSTOPICS Enabling Technology Individual Courses Degree Program Faculty Issues Student Issues
ENABLING TECHNOLOGY Online teaching/learning space Conditions of access Software choices
Internet tools Build your own Vendor online course products
ENABLING TECHNOLOGY:Functionality Closed environment Document delivery Threaded discussion Chat rooms
ENABLING TECHNOLOGY:Functionality, con’d Student file space Group support Assignment posting Course management
IT Support 2 models
Each tub on its own bottom Staff support
Technology as the new instructional infrastructure
24/7 production environment
IT Support Course creation Course maintenance Faculty training/support
Initial course Continual development
Student training/support
INDIVIDUAL COURSES Rethinking instructional
activities Four topics
Providing content Structuring interaction Assigning activities Providing feedback/evaluation
Providing Content Rethinking content provision online Selecting readings
textbook, scanned articles, internet documents
Imparting knowledge Prepared documents Prepared presentations Asynchronous interaction Real-time interaction
Structuring Interaction Rethinking interaction online Spontaneous vs structured Types of structure
Questions Exercises Student Contributions
Structuring Interaction Facilitator roles Assuring participation
Laissez faire Participation requirements Graded participation
Guidelines for e-discussion
Assigning Activities Rethinking assignments online Feasibility of short, frequent tasks
Exercises “Search and summarize”
E-journaling Cumulating student contributions
Assigning Activities Rethinking activities
Papers/Essays Exercises Bibliographies/resource lists Projects
Assigning Activities Web pages as a product
Student homepage Pathfinders and resource lists
Other web documents Importance of a closed environment
Assigning Activities Submission alternatives
Paper –cumbersome Electronic alternatives
Providing Feedback Developing new patterns Grading online
Interspersed comments Comment message Group comments via e-discussion
E-grades
DEGREE PROGRAM Rethinking all aspects of the
student experience From paper to electronic Increased individual e-
communication Need for “document” solutions Content ownership and version
control
DEGREE PROGRAM Curriculum
Relationship to campus courses Support services
“paperwork” of being a student Interaction with university services
DEGREE PROGRAM Advising
Relationship with advisor Peer advising Advising sites
Extracurricular activities Exploring electronic delivery Student organizations Video conferences/lectures
DEGREE PROGRAM Student participation in
governance Committee participation Representation
Career Services
FACULTY ISSUES Reinventing oneself as a
teacher Who teaches online? Support
Technical Pedagogical
FACULTY ISSUES
Workload issues Expectations of faculty Online presence Sharing Expertise
STUDENTS Profile of distance students
Part-time students Motivated Often over committed Working, often in libraries
STUDENTS “Loneliness of the long distance
student” Creating community among students Role of the residency
Initial residency Course residencies
Managing Student Expectations
SUMMING UPMoving Toward Rethinking the educational
experience online E-interactions for student services 24/7 production environment More staff support Faculty self-sufficiency
MORE SUMMING UPMoving Toward Strategies for sharing experiences Increased use of electronic
communication in campus-based programs
Higher “bars” for campus-based instruction
Increased instructor teaching time
SUMMING UPMoving Toward Collaborative learning and
learning communities Strain on traditional faculty
reward system
THE FUTURE Campus-based and Distance Delivery Can one institution do both well? How electronic will campus-based education go? School of Information Studies: commitment to both
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