Hamline’s NEW Low Residency MAEd:
Extended beyond geographic confines.
Enhanced with 21st century technology.
Combining an innovative online learning environment
with a traditional face-to-face component.
Vision
Initiate, build, and sustain a learning community while constructing knowledge through face-to-face and online learning. Both the face-to-face and online learning experiences are designed to be interactive, engaging, authentic, and personalized, while also providing the quality content and educational experience Hamline graduate students have come to expect.
What is a Low Residency program? What does it look like?
A low-residency program blends face-to-face and online learning. In Hamline’s MAEd low residency program, learners will come to campus one or two times during each course. The remainder of the learning will be distributed in some type of online format.
Online learning may be synchronous (in real time) or asynchronous. During synchronous sessions, all class members will be online at the same time via a real-time web-conferencing software. To accomplish this, students will be asked to reserve a certain schedule of dates/times, eg Wednesdays 6-9pm. Depending on class needs and learning objectives, it may be that not all of this synchronous time is needed each week, but it will be reserved in the event that it is. Asynchronous online learning may involve online discussions, web research, online group work, online video or audio files, peer reviews, electronic submission of assignments, and other online collaborative work. A variety of software will be used to accomplish the online learning goals.
This combination of an innovative online learning environment with a traditional face-to-face component will provide a unique option in the Hamline MAEd experience.
Who is the target audience for this program?
Those interested in pursuing a Hamline MAEd but who, for any reason, have been unable to enroll in our existing program options (on campus or learning communities). Also, if you are interested in the exciting, interactive, collaborative, personalized learning opportunities that an online environment provides.
What does the schedule look like?
| COURSE TITLE |
SCHEDULE |
|
GED 8020 Explorations
(4 credits) |
Face-to-face meetings:
Saturday, September 12, 2009.
Saturday, December 5, 2009.
Online meetings:
Synchronous sessions:
Wednesdays, 6:00-8:30pm, September 16-December 5, 2009. (Reserve all dates, though all may not be used.)
Asynchronous online learning throughout entire course. |
|
GED 8021 Designing Effective Learning Environments
(2 credits)
and
GED 8022 Action Research: Practice & Application
(2 credits) |
Face-to-face meetings:
Saturday, February 13, 2010.
Saturday, May 8, 2010.
Online meetings:
Synchronous sessions:
Wednesdays, 6:00-8:30pm, February 9 – May 8, 2010. (Reserve all dates, though not all may be used.)
Asynchronous online learning throughout entire course. |
| GED 8024 Educating for Equity & Social Justice |
Face-to-face meetings:
June 25, 26, 27, 2010.
Online meetings:
Synchronous sessions:
Starting June 7, 2010. Two days/week, 6:00-8:00pm. (Reserve all dates, though not all may be used.)
Asynchronous online learning throughout entire course. |
Elective credits: Ten elective credits are required for all MAEd program options. Courses to fulfill this requirements can be taken on campus, online, or in a blended (online and face-to-face) format.
Tell me more about learning online? What will I need to participate?
While you are likely familiar with traditional face-to-face learning, you may have questions about learning online.
Online learning provides a unique learning experience. Acquisition and synthesis of knowledge, community building, collaboration, social interaction. . . . all online. To create a robust online learning environment, a number of technology tools may be employed. To be successful, learners should consider the following.
Time
Online learning takes time. You will be expected to log in to your course at least 3 times per week. While you are not traveling to campus for class sessions, you will be spending an equivalent amount of time online, reading, completing assignments and online discussions; there will be additional time for homework assignments as well. Expect to spend 10-15 hours per week on your online course.
Learner Disposition
Successful online learners will be self-motivated and self-disciplined, good time-managers, comfortable with technology (both hardware and software), and have good reading and writing skills.
Technology Requirements & Skills
While you don't need to be a technical wizard, you should be a frequent computer user and be comfortable with your computer skills.
- Have home access to high speed internet connection.
- You will need a headset (earphone and microphone) and webcam.
- Be familiar with your computer's operating system and basic file functions (open, close, save, save as, browse, upload, download).
- Be familiar with internet browsing: your own browser settings, pop-ups, cookies, printing documents from the internet, uploading and downloading files.
- You will likely encounter the following software: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat pdf. If you don't have these software programs on your computer, there are free viewers available online.
- Depending on the instructional objectives of each course, you may be asked to use a variety of technology tools. These may or may not include a wiki, blog, social networking, collaborative presentation software, Elluminate live real-time conferencing software, and other web 2.0 tools as needed. Learners should be willing to experiment with new technologies.
- HAVE A BACK UP PLAN! Even if you don't expect computer problems, you must be prepared for them. You will be responsible for arranging alternate access to the online course, and keeping up with assignments until your computer problems are remedied.
Learner Skill Requirements
Before you take an online class, you should be confident about your computer and study skills. Review the following to help determine if you are ready to take an online class.
- I know how to connect to the Web using a web browser.
- I can navigate around the Web and know how to use search engines.
- I know how to send and receive email.
- I know how to do basic word processing, including cutting and pasting.
- I know how to open, save, and manage files.
- I have access to a computer 5-7 days per week.
- The computer I will use meets the basic requirements for online classes.
- I can dedicate 12 to 15 hours a week to work on each online class.
- I can motivate myself to log in to the virtual classroom at least 5 days a week.
- I have good reading comprehension and written communication skills, and I enjoy communicating in writing.
- I enjoy figuring things out on my own but am able to ask for help when I need it.
If you can't answer "Yes" to all these questions, you may not be quite ready for online learning.
For more information on online learning assessments and resources see www.hamline.edu/education/online
