I haven't tried distance education in a few years, so I'm hoping some things have changed. The last course I tried was from the master's in health administration at St. Joseph's (Maine). I received a dull-as-dirt textbook and an assignment to write a paper. Nothing else. Seemed like a ripoff to me. I dropped that course like a hot potato and haven't been back. It wasn't much different with the other classes I completed from another school. I know that some programs are interactive, particularly when the student is part of a cohort, and that there must be some actual instruction going on. But for those programs that do not follow an academic schedule, are the students cursed with a book and an assignment? I'd like to know before I choose where to enroll. -- Renee B.A., Penn State University M.A., Webster University (Individualized) RN Diploma
Hi. In my experience, it did not depend upon the school, but the professor. I just finished a Bachelors degree at Thomas Edison State College. While almost all my classes were very interactive and interesting, there was one that was semi-disapointing and one that I wish I had dropped. For the classes I enjoyed, not only were the students involved in discussions and bringing up new ideas, but the professors were offering new ways of looking at things and responding to our thoughts. They were available via email and phone if I wished. In one class the professor was semi-involved, but in my last class, the teacher may as well have been on vacation. All in all, I love the distance learning experience because I can do school work late in the evening and on the weekends and still work my job during the day and be a mom. Good luck. Marie
The "modality" of instruction is going to vary quite a lot according to the school and the professor, to a lesser degree. There are distance learning programs that use newsgroups like this one, streaming video, interactive whiteboards, email, DVD/VHS, correspondence and telephone conferences. You name it; it's being used. If may ask, what is your most current degree interest and have you looked at any schools? Dave
My employer, Southeastern University in Washington D.C., has an MPA in Health Services Administration that might suit you. Courses involve instructor participation, and have a threaded discussion component where students hash things out like they would in a classroom. You're welcome to email me at work at [email protected] if you'd like to know more (but I won't be there to read it until Monday morning). -=Steve=-
Over and over in my search for online education, I have heard from school admissions officials that "it is a real challenge" to their faculty to design courses for the internet. As another poster said, a lot depends on the instructor. I have taken two web-based psychology courses through Old Dominion University in Virginia, (www.odu.edu). Both times, I basically had to read the book, write papers, submit papers and see my grade points show up a few weeks later....with zero input, otherwise. Self-teaching, if you will. How coincidental that a year ago, I also enrolled at Saint Joseph's College of Maine - only to discover that their courses were truly "individualized study," with all work submitted by hand through the mail(!) on a six-month completion schedule. While I admire their flexibility in scheduling, it wasn't exactly the format I was looking for. But these details seem to come out only after one has made their decision....that's why I like this forum! Good luck with your search!
Over and over in my search for online education, I have heard from school admissions officials that "it is a real challenge" to their faculty to design courses for the internet. As another poster said, a lot depends on the instructor. Schools really ought to hire instructional designers to work with faculty to develop good online courses. I guess some institutions are too cheap or ignorant to do this, but it makes a difference. I have taken two web-based psychology courses through Old Dominion University in Virginia, (www.odu.edu). Both times, I basically had to read the book, write papers, submit papers and see my grade points show up a few weeks later....with zero input, otherwise. Self-teaching, if you will. How coincidental that a year ago, I also enrolled at Saint Joseph's College of Maine - only to discover that their courses were truly "individualized study," with all work submitted by hand through the mail(!) on a six-month completion schedule. While I admire their flexibility in scheduling, it wasn't exactly the format I was looking for. But these details seem to come out only after one has made their decision....that's why I like this forum! 1. Ask the admissions counselor more questions, and do it by email so they if they're wrong you have a paper trail. 2. Most courses I've seen have an interactive threaded discussion component, so it shouldn't be too hard to find something that suits you. 3. You put an exclamation point next to "mail" like that's a bad thing. I too prefer online courses, but there's nothing wrong with traditional correspondence study, and as you found out, reports of its death have been greatly exaggerated. -=Steve=-
Re: Re: Teaching Formats I've looked at dozens of schools, either for an MSN, a second master's in healthcare administration, or even possibly a Ph.D in healthcare administration, thanks for asking. Until now, it's been a matter of finance, but a decent tuition reimbursement plan and a small inheritance should make it possible for me to go back to school. I'm fine with an online format, if there's some actual instruction. I don't need touchy feely, but at least there should be some information being shared between an instructor and a student. For me to receive a textbook and an assignment and have that called a 3-credit master's-level course is a travesty of education. Those are the kinds of courses that make people wonder about distance education, IMNSHO.
Re: Re: Re: Teaching Formats Depending on the coursework for the MA at Webster, getting an MBA in healthcare administration might be a logical next step for you. If you wished to move on to do research in a Ph.D. program focusing on Healthcare Administration, said MBA coursework would satisfy many of the prerequisites. If you get the "bug" do do a Ph.D. and you don't think you will teach full time, you might also consider writing a book that aligns your life's work and research interests; that could be as valuable as a doctoral degree for non-education employment purposes and a whole lot less frustrating. As for the mode of instruction, you'll have to ask about what is the norm at that institution, as distance learning embodies many forms of media these days. Dave
