The MLS OnlineJana Bradley, DirectorLibrary Science ProgramSchool of Information StudiesSyracuse UniversitySyracuse, New Yorkjobradle@syr.edu

ONLINE DEGREES:Introduction

Alternatives to campus education From online courses to degrees Rethinking online course structure Rethinking online pedagogy Rethinking entire degree delivery

online

ONLINE DEGREES: Syracuse Experience

School of Information Studies, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York

Library education since 1896 Limited residency distance MLS,

since 1993 Online delivery of 3 master’s

degrees

SCHOOL OF INFORMATION STUDIES Interdisciplinary information school 5 degrees

Master of Library Science Master of Information Management Master of Telecommunication and

Network Management Bachelor of Information Management

and Technology Ph.D. in Information Transfer

LIMITED RESIDENCY ONLINE PROGRAMS

Limited residency, online delivery options for MLS, IM, TNM digress

Initial 7-10 days on campus Internet courses

with 3-4 day residencies without residencies

Primarily part-time students

ONLINE MLSTOPICS Enabling Technology Individual Courses Degree Program Faculty Issues Student Issues

ENABLING TECHNOLOGY Online teaching/learning space Conditions of access Software choices

Internet tools Build your own Vendor online course products

ENABLING TECHNOLOGY:Functionality Closed environment Document delivery Threaded discussion Chat rooms

ENABLING TECHNOLOGY:Functionality, con’d Student file space Group support Assignment posting Course management

IT Support 2 models

Each tub on its own bottom Staff support

Technology as the new instructional infrastructure

24/7 production environment

IT Support Course creation Course maintenance Faculty training/support

Initial course Continual development

Student training/support

INDIVIDUAL COURSES Rethinking instructional

activities Four topics

Providing content Structuring interaction Assigning activities Providing feedback/evaluation

Providing Content Rethinking content provision online Selecting readings

textbook, scanned articles, internet documents

Imparting knowledge Prepared documents Prepared presentations Asynchronous interaction Real-time interaction

Structuring Interaction Rethinking interaction online Spontaneous vs structured Types of structure

Questions Exercises Student Contributions

Structuring Interaction Facilitator roles Assuring participation

Laissez faire Participation requirements Graded participation

Guidelines for e-discussion

Assigning Activities Rethinking assignments online Feasibility of short, frequent tasks

Exercises “Search and summarize”

E-journaling Cumulating student contributions

Assigning Activities Rethinking activities

Papers/Essays Exercises Bibliographies/resource lists Projects

Assigning Activities Web pages as a product

Student homepage Pathfinders and resource lists

Other web documents Importance of a closed environment

Assigning Activities Submission alternatives

Paper –cumbersome Electronic alternatives

Providing Feedback Developing new patterns Grading online

Interspersed comments Comment message Group comments via e-discussion

E-grades

DEGREE PROGRAM Rethinking all aspects of the

student experience From paper to electronic Increased individual e-

communication Need for “document” solutions Content ownership and version

control

DEGREE PROGRAM Curriculum

Relationship to campus courses Support services

“paperwork” of being a student Interaction with university services

DEGREE PROGRAM Advising

Relationship with advisor Peer advising Advising sites

Extracurricular activities Exploring electronic delivery Student organizations Video conferences/lectures

DEGREE PROGRAM Student participation in

governance Committee participation Representation

Career Services

FACULTY ISSUES Reinventing oneself as a

teacher Who teaches online? Support

Technical Pedagogical

FACULTY ISSUES

Workload issues Expectations of faculty Online presence Sharing Expertise

STUDENTS Profile of distance students

Part-time students Motivated Often over committed Working, often in libraries

STUDENTS “Loneliness of the long distance

student” Creating community among students Role of the residency

Initial residency Course residencies

Managing Student Expectations

SUMMING UPMoving Toward Rethinking the educational

experience online E-interactions for student services 24/7 production environment More staff support Faculty self-sufficiency

MORE SUMMING UPMoving Toward Strategies for sharing experiences Increased use of electronic

communication in campus-based programs

Higher “bars” for campus-based instruction

Increased instructor teaching time

SUMMING UPMoving Toward Collaborative learning and

learning communities Strain on traditional faculty

reward system

THE FUTURE Campus-based and Distance Delivery Can one institution do both well? How electronic will campus-based education go? School of Information Studies: commitment to both