Reaching Teachers Through Distance Education Mary C. Enderson Department of Mathematical Sciences Middle Tennessee State University USA
Research on Distance Ed. The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) has reported on numerous studies. Findings indicate: *Learning and interactions can exist, *Distance Ed. courses have similar results as courses in traditional settings, *Student attitudes are positive.
The Role of Distance Education In Higher Education, *it’s timely and cost effective. *it brings together learners from widespread locations. *it initiates and promotes live interactions and relationships.
Graduate Program via Distance Education Master of Science in Teaching (MST) – Mathematics (at Middle Tennessee) Master of Science in Teaching (MST) – Mathematics (at Middle Tennessee) *has allowed the institution to reach teachers in rural middle TN *content and pedagogy courses are offered through the video conferencing format
What does the program look like? MST: Middle & Secondary track Course work: Core courses (9 hr.) Content courses (15 hr.) Cognate courses (12 hr.)
How courses are designed *Advance outlook and planning for the course *Distribution of course materials *Returning/Submission of course assignments *Community of learners – having full participation by students
Issues related to teaching Distance Ed. courses INSTRUCTORS: *connection problems to other sites *time *keeping a check on appropriate interactions *What if “only one?” [at a remote site] *testing/quizzing at remote sites
Issues related (cont.) STUDENTS: *talking by microphone *seeing myself on television *the notion of the teacher not being in the same room *How will I submit materials? Do a presentation?
Faculty Support *Distance education office & staff *Electronic sources (i.e.: and web resources) *Library (on campus) – supporting the distance education courses *Colleagues teaching via D.E.
Student Reactions *Problems obtaining a graduate degree if it weren’t for the program *Allows teachers to support each other in their professional development – networking and finding out what issues exist in other areas *Concerns initially but worked out and didn’t even think about it after the first few meetings.
What we have found out *Strong graduate program – success in reaching a number of teachers *Little to no difference between students on site versus off site *Organizing courses requires a great deal of time and preparation *Learning how to “let go” of things you cannot control
Contact information If you have any questions or would like to discuss teaching through video-conferencing, please feel free to contact me at: