Reaching Teachers Through Reaching Teachers Through Distance EducationDistance Education

Mary C. EndersonMary C. Enderson

Department of Mathematical SciencesDepartment of Mathematical Sciences

Middle Tennessee State UniversityMiddle Tennessee State University

USAUSA

Research on Distance Ed.Research on Distance Ed.

The United States Distance Learning The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) has reported on Association (USDLA) has reported on numerous studies. Findings indicate:numerous studies. Findings indicate:

** Learning and interactions can exist,Learning and interactions can exist,

** Distance Ed. courses have similar Distance Ed. courses have similar results as courses in traditional settings,results as courses in traditional settings,

** Student attitudes are positive.Student attitudes are positive.

The Role of Distance The Role of Distance EducationEducation

In Higher Education,In Higher Education,

** it’s timely and cost effective.it’s timely and cost effective.

** it brings together learners from it brings together learners from widespread locations.widespread locations.

** it initiates and promotes live it initiates and promotes live interactions and relationships.interactions and relationships.

Graduate Program via Graduate Program via Distance EducationDistance Education

Master of Science in Teaching (MST) – Master of Science in Teaching (MST) – Mathematics (at Middle Tennessee)Mathematics (at Middle Tennessee)

** has allowed the institution to reach has allowed the institution to reach teachers in rural middle TNteachers in rural middle TN

** content and pedagogy courses are content and pedagogy courses are offered through the video conferencing offered through the video conferencing formatformat

What does the program What does the program look like?look like?

MST: Middle & Secondary trackMST: Middle & Secondary track

Course work: Core courses (9 hr.)Course work: Core courses (9 hr.)

Content courses (15 hr.)Content courses (15 hr.)Cognate courses (12 Cognate courses (12

hr.)hr.)

How courses are designedHow courses are designed

** Advance outlook and planning for the Advance outlook and planning for the coursecourse

** Distribution of course materialsDistribution of course materials** Returning/Submission of course Returning/Submission of course

assignmentsassignments** Community of learners – having full Community of learners – having full

participation by studentsparticipation by students

Issues related to teaching Issues related to teaching Distance Ed. coursesDistance Ed. courses

INSTRUCTORS:INSTRUCTORS:

** connection problems to other sitesconnection problems to other sites

** timetime

** keeping a check on appropriate keeping a check on appropriate interactionsinteractions

** What if “only one?” [at a remote site]What if “only one?” [at a remote site]

** testing/quizzing at remote sitestesting/quizzing at remote sites

Issues related (cont.)Issues related (cont.)

STUDENTS:STUDENTS:** talking by microphonetalking by microphone** seeing myself on televisionseeing myself on television** the notion of the teacher not being in the notion of the teacher not being in

the same roomthe same room** How will I submit materials? Do a How will I submit materials? Do a

presentation?presentation?

Faculty SupportFaculty Support

** Distance education office & staffDistance education office & staff

** Electronic sources (i.e.: email and web Electronic sources (i.e.: email and web resources)resources)

** Library (on campus) – supporting the Library (on campus) – supporting the distance education coursesdistance education courses

** Colleagues teaching via D.E.Colleagues teaching via D.E.

Student ReactionsStudent Reactions** Problems obtaining a graduate degree if Problems obtaining a graduate degree if

it weren’t for the programit weren’t for the program** Allows teachers to support each other in Allows teachers to support each other in

their professional development – their professional development – networking and finding out what issues networking and finding out what issues exist in other areasexist in other areas

** Concerns initially but worked out and Concerns initially but worked out and didn’t even think about it after the first didn’t even think about it after the first few meetings.few meetings.

What we have found outWhat we have found out

** Strong graduate program – success in Strong graduate program – success in reaching a number of teachersreaching a number of teachers

** Little to no difference between students Little to no difference between students on site versus off siteon site versus off site

** Organizing courses requires a great Organizing courses requires a great deal of time and preparationdeal of time and preparation

** Learning how to “let go” of things you Learning how to “let go” of things you cannot controlcannot control

Contact informationContact information

If you have any questions or would If you have any questions or would like to discuss teaching through like to discuss teaching through

video-conferencing, please feel free video-conferencing, please feel free to contact me at:to contact me at:

<mcenders@mtsu.edu><mcenders@mtsu.edu>http://www.mtsu.edu/~mcenders/http://www.mtsu.edu/~mcenders/