Integrating Four Courses into a 12 Credit Hour Block of Instruction in an On-Line Format as Part of a Master's Program in Educational Administration

This paper shares the approach taken by one department of educational leadership to creating a vehicle for delivering its master's degree program to national and international students through the integration of online and on-site instructional formats. The paper addresses the historical background of higher education reform, the curriculum of the block of instruction, the change from the traditional curriculum to the online format, selected strategies for online instruction, and the perceptions of faculty and students of the change. The block is a 12-credit hour block that develops a student's skill in planning and implementing school improvement and a program of instruction centered on student learning, achievement, and success. The traditional approach used a student cohort, team teaching format with a combination of instructional strategies. The online system used WebCt as its delivery system. The basic format consists of scheduled chat sessions and threaded discussions, alternating weekly. Students are also required to remain current with readings, group work, several types of writing, and other field-based assignments. The system includes an "Automated Dropbox" to which students send assignments and receives grades and comments. The delivery system was in its initial year of implementation, so it was not possible to assess it and compare it with the traditional system, but student comments regarding the online experience have been positive. Appendixes contain the on-site and online activity schedules, the retreat schedule for the gathering of online students, and examples of the online activities. (Contains 11 references.) (SLD) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the ori inal document. SCOPE OF INTEREST NOTICE The ERIC Facility has assigned this document for processing to: In our judgment, this document is also of interest to the Clearinghouses noted to the right. Indexing should reflect their special points of view. Integrating Four Courses Into a 12 Credit Hour Block of Instruction in an On-line Format as Part of a Master's Program in Educational Administration, Jack Klotz, PhD. The University of Southern Mississippi Thelma J. Roberson, PhD. The University of Southern Mississippi PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) 1 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION , CENTER (ERIC) IFYIT; document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. 13 Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy, A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Mid-South Educational Research Association, Little Rock, Arkansas, November 13-16, 2001