Developing an Online Developing an Online Masters in Technology Masters in Technology

EducationEducation

Jim Flowers – James KirkwoodJim Flowers – James Kirkwood

Ball State UniversityBall State University

jcflowers1@bsu.edujcflowers1@bsu.edu

Master of ArtsMaster of Arts

Technology Education (TE)Technology Education (TE)

Industrial Vocational / Technical Industrial Vocational / Technical Education (IV/TE)Education (IV/TE)(Career and Technical Education)(Career and Technical Education)

LogisticsLogistics

Online courses to replace traditional Online courses to replace traditional coursescourses

100% online from Ball State100% online from Ball State 30 Credit Hours (thesis optional)30 Credit Hours (thesis optional) 9 hours may be transferred in9 hours may be transferred in Technology EducationTechnology Education

All courses offered in a 1-year periodAll courses offered in a 1-year period Industrial Vocational / Technical EducationIndustrial Vocational / Technical Education

All courses offered in a 2-year periodAll courses offered in a 2-year period

MA in Technology EducationMA in Technology Education

Approved for Online DeliveryApproved for Online DeliveryOnline delivery replaces on-campus Online delivery replaces on-campus

over 2-year phase in periodover 2-year phase in periodSummer, 2002: 2 online coursesSummer, 2002: 2 online coursesFall, 2002: 3 online coursesFall, 2002: 3 online courses

MA in Technology EducationMA in Technology Education

Pilot tested online coursePilot tested online courseConducted needs assessmentConducted needs assessmentLocal administrationLocal administrationFaculty preparationFaculty preparationMarketingMarketing

MA in Industrial Vocational / MA in Industrial Vocational / Technical EducationTechnical Education

Awaiting Approval for Online DeliveryAwaiting Approval for Online DeliveryICHE approval is required when 50% of a ICHE approval is required when 50% of a

program’s courses are offered by DE.program’s courses are offered by DE.

Fall, 2002: 3 online coursesFall, 2002: 3 online courses

Needs AssessmentNeeds Assessment

Survey sent to Technology Education Survey sent to Technology Education . (ITEA members). (ITEA members)

Substantial need existsSubstantial need existsObstacles exitObstacles exit

http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JTE/v13n1/flowers.htmlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JTE/v13n1/flowers.html

NeedNeed

ConvenienceConveniencePlacePlaceTime flexibilityTime flexibility

Continuing education creditsContinuing education creditsGraduate degree & course in Tech EdGraduate degree & course in Tech Ed

ObstaclesObstacles

Misconceptions?Misconceptions?Poor qualityPoor qualityNot much human contactNot much human contactDegree mill?Degree mill?

Ignorance (where to find courses)Ignorance (where to find courses)Technological obstaclesTechnological obstaclesAdministrative obstaclesAdministrative obstacles

Decision to Go OnlineDecision to Go Online

Declining F2F Declining F2F enrollmentenrollment

8 profs – 8 profs – unanimous unanimous decisiondecision

Proposal:Proposal: www.bsu.edu/web/jcflowers1/www.bsu.edu/web/jcflowers1/

projects/onlinemasters/proposal.htmprojects/onlinemasters/proposal.htm

ApprovalsApprovals

Program Committee & ChairProgram Committee & ChairDeanDeanContinuing Education DeanContinuing Education Dean““Teleplex” (funds for development)Teleplex” (funds for development)Univ. Graduate Education CommitteeUniv. Graduate Education Committee Indiana Commission on Higher Indiana Commission on Higher

EducationEducation

Student ConcernsStudent Concerns

CostCostTechnological requirementsTechnological requirementsFlexibility and convenienceFlexibility and convenienceQualityQualityMeaningful contact with instructors Meaningful contact with instructors

and with other studentsand with other students

Cost: 2001 – 2002 tuition for oneCost: 2001 – 2002 tuition for one3-credit hour graduate course3-credit hour graduate course

On-CampusOn-Campus OnlineOnline

In-stateIn-state $585$585 $462$462

Out-of-stateOut-of-state $1,415$1,415 $618$618

Rates are expected to increase in future Rates are expected to increase in future years.years.

One-time admission fee: $35One-time admission fee: $35

Technology:Technology:

ComputerComputer Internet accessInternet access

56K minimum, high-speed preferred56K minimum, high-speed preferredWeb browsersWeb browsersMicrosoft OfficeMicrosoft OfficeFor certain courses:For certain courses:

Access to a digital still cameraAccess to a digital still cameraAccess to a video cameraAccess to a video camera

Flexibility & ConvenienceFlexibility & Convenience

Online admissions and registrationOnline admissions and registrationNo trips to campusNo trips to campusLog on to class from any computerLog on to class from any computerLog on at a convenient timeLog on at a convenient timeApply the new learning right away in Apply the new learning right away in

one’s own jobone’s own job

QualityQuality

Equivalent to on-campus coursesEquivalent to on-campus coursesRecently improved coursesRecently improved coursesRigorous course and program Rigorous course and program

assessmentassessment

Human ContactHuman Contact

More personalized, meaningful More personalized, meaningful communicationcommunication

Individual and collaborative learning Individual and collaborative learning activitiesactivities

Online communication can be deeperOnline communication can be deeper

Online in Summer, 2002:Online in Summer, 2002:

ITEDU 564 Practicum in Technology ITEDU 564 Practicum in Technology Education for Elementary Grades (3) Education for Elementary Grades (3)

EDPSY 640 Methodology of EDPSY 640 Methodology of Educational & Psychological Educational & Psychological Research (3)Research (3)

Online in Fall, 2002:Online in Fall, 2002:

ITEDU 510 Technology: Use and ITEDU 510 Technology: Use and Assessment (3)Assessment (3)

ITEDU 568 Principles and Philosophy ITEDU 568 Principles and Philosophy of Vocational Education (3) of Vocational Education (3)

ITEDU 691 Strategies & Materials for ITEDU 691 Strategies & Materials for Teaching Technology Education (3) Teaching Technology Education (3)

EDTEC 550 Instructional Use of EDTEC 550 Instructional Use of Educational Media & Technology (3) Educational Media & Technology (3)

Sample CourseSample Course

ITEDU 510, Technology: Use & ITEDU 510, Technology: Use & AssessmentAssessment

Info:Info: www.bsu.edu/web/jcflowers1/510intro.htmwww.bsu.edu/web/jcflowers1/510intro.htm

Modules:Modules: www.bsu.edu/web/jcflowers1/rlo/510.htmwww.bsu.edu/web/jcflowers1/rlo/510.htm

Blackboard 5.5.1 L3 Course SiteBlackboard 5.5.1 L3 Course Site

Discussion Board ForumsDiscussion Board Forums

Sample ThreadSample Thread

Sample PostingSample Posting

Learning ModulesLearning Modules

Learning ModulesLearning Modules

A Case Study A Case Study

Technology Education for the Technology Education for the Elementary Grades…A Practicum.Elementary Grades…A Practicum.

This type of course resents a unique This type of course resents a unique challenge because of its hands-on, challenge because of its hands-on, practical experiences.practical experiences.

It will be the second course to go on-It will be the second course to go on-line.line.

It’s been taught “forever” as an existing It’s been taught “forever” as an existing course by the same faculty member.course by the same faculty member.

……me.me.

Faculty DevelopmentFaculty Development

Undergraduate course has been Undergraduate course has been using the web for about five years. using the web for about five years.

At first for things that could be done At first for things that could be done on paper, slides, or face-to-face.on paper, slides, or face-to-face.

Gradually included units that were Gradually included units that were available only on-line.available only on-line.

Some developed by instructor.Some developed by instructor.Some existing on-line courses.Some existing on-line courses.For example; NASA “Space Place.”For example; NASA “Space Place.”

Examples of early web pagesExamples of early web pages

Other glimpses of early startsOther glimpses of early starts

Teaching an Old Dog Teaching an Old Dog

Learned web design from young dogs—Learned web design from young dogs—Graduate Assistants, beginning in 1996.Graduate Assistants, beginning in 1996.

Course Info workshops sponsored by Ball Course Info workshops sponsored by Ball State faculty development beginning 1999.State faculty development beginning 1999.

Signed up for web design workshops in Signed up for web design workshops in Page Mill, (1997) Dreamweaver, FrontPage.Page Mill, (1997) Dreamweaver, FrontPage.

Blackboard workshop, an intensive two-Blackboard workshop, an intensive two-week workshop, summer of 2000.week workshop, summer of 2000.

Teaching an Old DogTeaching an Old Dog

Faculty Workshop for Department, Faculty Workshop for Department, Summer of 2001. Summer of 2001.

Taught by Jim Flowers.Taught by Jim Flowers.Put the other learning into a context Put the other learning into a context

for me.for me.Learned strengths and weaknesses of Learned strengths and weaknesses of

colleagues I’ll be teaching with.colleagues I’ll be teaching with. It gave me a chance to practice what I It gave me a chance to practice what I

had been preaching.had been preaching.

Try-out in Summer of 2001Try-out in Summer of 2001

““Hybrid” ITDEDU 564, Practicum in Hybrid” ITDEDU 564, Practicum in Technology Education for Elementary Technology Education for Elementary Grades. Grades.

Only six students, all within 70 miles.Only six students, all within 70 miles.Met just 3 times in class, and once on Met just 3 times in class, and once on

their site.their site.Met as virtual classes twice.Met as virtual classes twice.Discussion groups most helpful.Discussion groups most helpful.

Still learning—but the time is Still learning—but the time is now!now!

Spring 2002.Spring 2002. Developing the Developing the

course for on-line course for on-line instruction.instruction.

Where do I start?Where do I start?

An Old Dog Learns Science!An Old Dog Learns Science!

Jason AcademyJason AcademyA science teaching siteA science teaching site Introduction to teaching science on-line.Introduction to teaching science on-line. I was put into a group with two science I was put into a group with two science

teachers, and we had to collaborate to teachers, and we had to collaborate to produce a teaching unit.produce a teaching unit.

The unit had to be correlated with The unit had to be correlated with Learning Styles and Gardner’s Multiple Learning Styles and Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences.Intelligences.

Now I was a student!Now I was a student!

I had to work!I had to work! I created my home page.I created my home page. I was put in a group and had to I was put in a group and had to

contribute!contribute!There were a flurry of e-mails among There were a flurry of e-mails among

Gayle, Jill and me. Gayle, Jill and me. We all had other things to do.We all had other things to do.But we managed to put together a But we managed to put together a

magnificent piece of work…(ahem!)magnificent piece of work…(ahem!)

AssessmentAssessmentHow does this differ from a regular class?How does this differ from a regular class?Each class is unique, of course.Each class is unique, of course. Jason Academy provided a RUBRIC for Jason Academy provided a RUBRIC for

evaluating discussions.evaluating discussions. I’ve adapted that for a 400 course this I’ve adapted that for a 400 course this

semester.semester.Students are usually “open” in Students are usually “open” in

discussions.discussions. If they are to be graded on it, If they are to be graded on it,

assessment has to be fair, above-board, assessment has to be fair, above-board, and with clearly stated guidelines.and with clearly stated guidelines.

AssessmentAssessment

A lot of work to assess fairly.A lot of work to assess fairly.The rubric makes it more mechanical.The rubric makes it more mechanical.Discussion submissions can be Discussion submissions can be

“coded” by a trained assistant.“coded” by a trained assistant.Volume of contribution is assessed Volume of contribution is assessed

along with quality. Emphasis is on along with quality. Emphasis is on quality, because if the problem is real, quality, because if the problem is real, students will communicate often.students will communicate often.

CommunicationCommunication

Most frustrating is technical Most frustrating is technical difficulties!!!difficulties!!!

Can be solved at the beginning for Can be solved at the beginning for most students.most students.

CommunicationCommunication

A very pleasant surprise.A very pleasant surprise.Students DO COMMUNICATE OFTEN!Students DO COMMUNICATE OFTEN!Students are “open.”Students are “open.”Students will say things on-line that Students will say things on-line that

they will not say in class.they will not say in class.Even though they know they are Even though they know they are

monitored, they do bash the instructor.monitored, they do bash the instructor.They also ask relevant questions of They also ask relevant questions of

each other and of the instructor.each other and of the instructor.

Developing an Online Developing an Online Masters in Technology Masters in Technology

EducationEducation

Jim Flowers – James KirkwoodJim Flowers – James Kirkwood

Ball State UniversityBall State University

jcflowers1@bsu.edujcflowers1@bsu.edu

Required Courses: MA in Tech EdRequired Courses: MA in Tech Ed

21 hours:21 hours:

ITEDU 635 Implementing Technology Education (3) ITEDU 635 Implementing Technology Education (3) ITEDU 690 History and Philosophy of Technology ITEDU 690 History and Philosophy of Technology

Education (3) Education (3) ITEDU 691 Strategies & Materials for Teaching ITEDU 691 Strategies & Materials for Teaching

Technology Education (3) Technology Education (3) ITEDU 694 Curriculum Development in Technology ITEDU 694 Curriculum Development in Technology

Education (3) Education (3) ITEDU 698 Seminar in Technology Education (3)   ITEDU 698 Seminar in Technology Education (3)   ITEDU 699 Research in Industrial Education (3)ITEDU 699 Research in Industrial Education (3) EDTEC 550 Instructional Use of Educational Media & EDTEC 550 Instructional Use of Educational Media &

Technology (3) Technology (3)

Electives: MA in Tech EdElectives: MA in Tech Ed

9 credit hours:9 credit hours:

ITEDU 510 Technology: Use and Assessment (3) ITEDU 510 Technology: Use and Assessment (3) ITEDU 564 Practicum in Technology Education for ITEDU 564 Practicum in Technology Education for

Elementary Grades (3) Elementary Grades (3) EDPSY 640 Methodology of Educational & EDPSY 640 Methodology of Educational &

Psychological Research (3) Psychological Research (3) ITEDU 550 Career and Technical Student ITEDU 550 Career and Technical Student

Organizations (renamed) (3) Organizations (renamed) (3) (other electives or transfer credits approved by (other electives or transfer credits approved by

the program advisor)   the program advisor)