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Stella Porto's presentation at Distance Learning Administration Conference, St. SImons, GA
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Beyond Instruction: building sustainable student online communities
Dr. Stella Porto Master of Distance Education Graduate School of Management & Technology University of Maryland University College
Agenda
• Focus of this presentation • Introduction
Student support in distance education Context & background
• The evolution of the MDE online community Our timeline & corollary projects Lessons learned Synergy and future
• Final remarks
Focus of this presentation
“As distance education has evolved from a teacher-centric to a much more learner-centric model, the roles and activities instructors and other learner support providers have changed to being more proactive than reactive” (Brindley et al., 2004, p.9)
The lack of campus life imposes difficulty in keeping students and graduates connected beyond the ties of the online classroom. Building virtual communities in a sustainable way is the focus of this presentation.
Introduction: Student Support in Distance Education
• Necessary shift from a campus based perspective Needs go beyond those addressed in individual courses
• Focus on the needs of this specific target audience Part-time Full-time employment Family duties Long time away from school Diverse academic and professional background
• Learning communities cultivate a blend of challenge and support
• Counter act feelings of isolation Supporting network Feeling of belonging
Introduction: Context & Background – MDE is a partnership
Context and landscape Oldenburg
Context and landscape Oldenburg
Introduction: Context & background: the program
• Core competencies Managing the DE 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
Faculty Support
Instruction Design & Support
Leaders & Managers
Higher Education
Media & technology
Corporate Training & Learning
Distance Education
Introduction: Institutional Student support
• Enrollment management / Registrar Admissions Financial aid Registration Advising Graduation
• Portal with self-services • Academic specialist within the
department • Program director • Library • Office of disabilities
The evolution of the MDE online community: timeline
First trial… Using a course shell as a community environment
The evolution of the MDE online community: timeline
Second addition: Alumni network through C3L-Oldenburg… … just alumni
The evolution of the MDE online community: timeline
New addition…The MDE Blog • One-stop-shop for all MDE related information • One-way communication - no interaction
The evolution of the MDE online community: timeline
Third trial… The MDE-lounge • Real interaction • Privacy, listserv mode, discussion board, simple and not-invasive
The evolution of the MDE online community: corollary
New developments… The Faculty-forum • Management effectiveness • Privacy, listserv mode, discussion board, simple and not-invasive
The evolution of the MDE online community: corollary
New developments… The MDE wiki on new technologies • Knowledge-base • Information sharing • Meta-learning
The evolution of the MDE online community: corollary
New developments… The MDE capstone wiki • Support for final capstone • Information sharing • Direct relationship with instruction
The evolution of the MDE online community: corollary
New developments… The MDE orientation • Workshop with direct instructor-led support • Information sharing • Direct support to instruction
The evolution of the MDE online community: corollary
New developments… The MDE internship program • Getting your feet wet as a distance educator • Supporting the program • Engaging in action research
The evolution of the MDE online community: corollary
New developments… The MDE buddy-system • Peer-support • Student initiative • Action research project
The evolution of the MDE online community: corollary
New developments… Presence in social networks • Connections with graduates and prospective students • Marketing
The evolution of the MDE online community: corollary
New developments… The MDE Itinerant video project • Graduate initiative • Celebration • Community involvement
Lessons learned
There is a need for an active moderator Continuously invite community
Reach out to new students Most participants are lurkers Coupling blog posts to listserv
A few active members generate significant impact Being personal is key Ongoing projects and activities
Synergy and future
Projects led by graduates Relationship with other UMUC units Partnerships in publishing and academic work
Virtual conference for 10th anniversary celebration Podcast series Webinars Special interest groups
Final remarks
Thinking beyond the classroom Enthusiasm is contagious Experiment, experiment and experiment… Count on your graduates and students Networking is essential to everyone for different reasons
Questions?
Contact: [email protected] http://www.slideshare.net/sporto/dla2009-presentation-s-porto
The Master of Distance Education Present - Curriculum
Core
DE Foundations: systems view, technology, online teaching & learning, costing and student support
Technology
Leadership Instructional Design
Multimedia Globalization & Development
Advanced Technologies Internet Technologies
Teaching & Training
Instructional Design Library & Copyright
Assessment Multimedia
Distance Training Virtual K-12
Policy & Management
Leadership DE Systems
Library & Copyright Assessment DE Business
Globalization & Development
Capstone : E-portfolio & Research Project