Technology & Learning - September 2008 - (Page 32)

FEATURESTORY School Yourself Top education colleges are giving out real sheepskin for their online graduate programs. Read how it works. By Sascha Zuger Feeling stagnant in your current position or considering expanding your knowledge base (and salary potential!)? The thought of schlepping down to a local university after a long day in the classroom might seem daunting. For some, “local” could meet hours of commuting that just doesn’t fit into a busy teacher’s schedule. Thanks to the emergence of technosavvy universities, online degrees can offer the same benefits as those taught on campus. Many students feel they get more interaction with both professor and peers in the online format, as the flexibility of an unlimited connection isn’t restricted to a once-a-week two-hour session. A number of traditional universities now offer online options, which can make sifting through the long list of offerings intimidating. We’ve highlighted some of the top programs below. says Scott Johnson, Associate Dean for Online Learning. “There is complete flexibility, however, we require weekly ‘virtual class meetings’ where students and the instructor interact live using video and audio technologies. Learning to work with others in a virtual environment is a critical skill for the future.” UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND www.une.edu/admissions/online.asp www.une.edu/ University of New England’s online graduate programs have a current roster of 450 students with a 99% retention rate, credited to the programs’ flexibility in working with teachers on the job. “University of New England is unique in offering six starts every year,” says Douglas J. Lynch, PhD, Professor of Education, Chair. “The program is a manageable 18 months and allows students to work full-time. We require access to a class- UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS www.online.uillinois.edu/ illinois.edu/ More than 1,000 educators have graduated from specialized programs such as “Middle Grades Endorsement,” earning necessary certification to work in a departmentalized middle grade setting and “Global Studies in Education,” assisting P-16 educators to work with educators around the world to incorporate global perspectives into their curricula and challenge their students to develop a more international outlook. New Master’s Degree programs include Educational Leadership and Policy, New Learning and New Literacies, and Teaching Critical Thinking. “Our online programs have the same admission criteria, course requirements, and instructors as campus programs,” 32 | TECH & LEARNING http://www.une.edu/admissions/online.asp http://www.une.edu/ http://www.une.edu/ http://www.online.uillinois.edu/ http://www.illinois.edu/

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Technology & Learning - September 2008

Technology & Learning 9/08 Contents Editor’s Desk News & Trends Put to the Test Lessons on Leadership What, You Worry? Back Office Business How to Get your MEd Online What’s New Student Response Systems Get Smarter Leader of the Year Profile: She’s Got Game

Technology & Learning - September 2008

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