The Master of Distance Education Dr. Stella Porto Information and Technology Systems Department Graduate School of Management & Technology University of Maryland University College
Dec 22, 2014
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