Development of an Online Masters

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Development of an Online Masters

• Jim Flowers
• Ball State University
• jcflowers1_at_bsu.edu

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Master of Arts

• Technology Education
• Industrial Vocational / Technical Education
• (Career and Technical Education)

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Logistical Parameters

• Online courses to replace F2F courses
• 100 online from Ball State
• 30 Credit Hours (thesis opt.)
• 9 hours may be transferred
• Technology Education
• All courses offered in a 1-year period
• Industrial Vocational Technical Education
• All courses offered in a 2-year period

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Current Status

• Two Masters proposed
• Fourteen courses scheduled to go online
• Faculty preparation
• Local administration
• Pilot online course in 2nd implementation
• Marketing work

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Inception

• Declining F2F Enrollments
• Championed Idea
• Individual Pilot Course
• ITEDU 510 Technology, Use Assessment

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Pilot Course Development

• Contract
• 2 semesters work with Inst. Technologist
• Assigned time
• Taking an online course
• Taking workshops
• Using BSU tools
• Course ownership

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Needs Assessment

• Survey sent to Tech. Ed. (ITEA members)
• Substantial need exists
• Obstacles exit
• http//scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JTE/v13n1/flow
  ers.html

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Need

• Convenience
• Place
• Time flexibility
• Continuing education credits
• Graduate degree course in Tech. Ed.

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Obstacles

• Misconceptions?
• Poor quality
• Not much human contact
• Ignorance (Where to find courses)
• Technological obstacles
• Administrative obstacles

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Decision to Go Online

• Declining F2F enrollment
• 8 profs unanimous decision
• Both masters
• Proposal
• www.bsu.edu/web/jcflowers1/projects/onlinemasters/
  proposal.htm

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Approvals

• Program Committee Chair
• Dean
• Continuing Education Dean
• Teleplex (funds for development)
• Univ. Graduate Education Committee
• Indiana Commission on Higher Education

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Financial Faculty Support / Course

• 1500 1500 development
• Stipend or course buy out
• 1500 1st implementation bonus
• Stipend or course buy out
• 50 / student over minimum (6)
• 750 course revision

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Non-Financial Faculty Support

• Workshops
• Assistance in planning online learning
• Assistance in using online learning tools
• Reviews of course materials and plans

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Administration

• Director of Online Education (department)
• Two colleges

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On-Campus vs. Off-Campus

• Advertisements and course listings
• Fee structure
• Faculty load

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(Program) Lessons Learned

• Find and support a champion.
• Justify a need. Fill a niche.
• Pilot a course.
• Fit university goals mission.
• Utilize university support systems.
• Provide for assessment.

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(Course) Lessons Learned

• Eliminate garbage.
• Go beyond shovelware.
• Provide for student-student communication.
• Provide for student-instructor communication.
• Be prepared for non-target students.
• Be prepared for technical problems.

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Sample Course

• ITEDU 510, Technology Use Assessment
• Info
• www.bsu.edu/web/jcflowers1/510intro.htm
• Modules
• www.bsu.edu/web/jcflowers1/rlo/510.htm

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Blackboard 5.5.1 L3 Course Site
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Discussion Board Forums
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Sample Thread
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Sample Posting
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Learning Modules
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Learning Modules
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Research Opportunities

• Collaborative Online Learning
• Reusable Learning Objects
• (Stimulating faculty research)

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Challenges

• Marketing
• Course and program development
• Ownership issues
• Promotion, tenure, salary issues
• Possible off-campus instructors
• Technical issues (bandwidth, etc.)

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Development of an Online Masters

• Dr. Jim Flowers
• Associate Prof. Director of Online Education
• Industry Technology, Ball State University
• jcflowers1_at_bsu.edu