Distance Technologies Play Major Role in the Re-Design of Web-Centric Executive Master of Organization Development Program (EMOD)

What is the EMOD program and how has it changed over the past year?
One of the oldest programs of its kind in the world, the Executive Masters of Organziation Development (EMOD) program focuses on change leadership to achieve individual and organizational effectiveness.  The EMOD program allows professionals to earn a master's degree in 18 months while continuing to work full time with limited interruptions to work and family responsibilities.

Over the past year, EMOD has gone through format and curriculum changes to better fit our highly engaged, very active, executives who demand a quality program be both accessible and flexible.  The format changes are a move to a "web-centric" curriculum.

What is a web-centric EMOD program and why did you choose that format for your program?
The term web-centric describes a format of instruction in which 50% or more of the content is taught at a distance. The EMOD program uses a web centric approach in that students only meet on campus 3 weekends a semester and use the rest of the semester to engage the course materials, instructor, and their classmates online using distance technologies such as blackboard, gmail, gtalk, google docs, and more.  We chose this format for several reasons.  First, it reflects the way business is moving.  The web-centric format enables a flexible, accessible, and engaging online environment, which then allows us to increase the effectiveness of our face-to-face time at BGSU.  Second, it is what people in today's day and age expect. Prospective students were and continue to inquire about online instruction.  Third, the move also allows us to reach a wider geographic area.  A flexible program format allows for a more diverse student population as our current MOD cohort proves...we have students from all over the state of Ohio, as well as Michigan, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Texas. 

In what ways do distance technologies improve the program? (for the students, for the faculty, for BGSU)
We realize in today's world people want information at their fingertips.  Distance technologies allow students to access material anytime, anyplace.  If they travel or relocate, they can continue their involvement.  Distance technologies also allow us to create a stronger sense of community for non-traditional students, especially those who are non-frequent visitors to campus.  The community and network that the Internet facilitates is immensely advantageous to our program. Technology facilitates us getting insight into our students' needs.  Furthermore, distance technologies give us the ability to establish ourselves as a point of expertise in the field nationally and facilitate continuous learning (access to information after graduation, etc.). 

For the faculty, distance technologies give them the opportunity to interact with students prior to the classroom experience.  In addition, online technologies provide some pedagogical advantages. For example, by setting up a discussion forum for "Questions to the Instructor" we can streamline student questions and provide answers more effectively and efficiently.  Another example along those same lines is that an online threaded discussion enables everyone to have an equal voice, not just the extroverts, thus spurring on the sharing of information and ideas.  By using online technologies to engage our students (e.g., videos, presentations, audio files, discussions, assignments, papers, projects, collaboration), faculty can then customize and optimize the classroom learning experience.  Finally, the web-centric format more easily enables the ability to bring reality into the virtual classroom (e.g., clients, presenters, and other guest speakers, etc.). 

For BGSU, we are integrating new media and emerging technologies. Education is becoming more and more non-traditional.  Distance learning mirrors the way in which our society learns and gathers information. 

Why did you choose to work with IDEAL on this project and what has been your experience working them?
We chose to work with IDEAL because they are the distance technology leaders and experts at the university.  Our experience has been fantastic as the IDEAL staff is dedicated to the service they provide the university.  The staff is very professional, creative, and passionate about education. In addition, IDEAL has been extraordinarily accessible and flexible. 

How has IDEAL assisted EMOD with the planning, design, and implementation of the web-centric program?
We met with IDEAL to talk about our ideas for a more flexible and accessible program and IDEAL helped us explore the possibilities.  IDEAL was very responsive to what we were trying to achieve for the program and from there, EMOD and IDEAL came together as a team to develop the program.  IDEAL understands that the process guides the technology and not the other way around. They are exceptional at listening to what we are trying to accomplish and then identifying and presenting potential solutions enabling us to analyze the pros and cons and make more informed decisions. They are as vested in making this initiative as successful as we are. With any successful team, we had to identify our roles and capitalize on each others strengths.  Our faculty and staff are experts in their respective fields. The IDEAL staff are experts in their field of web-based and web-centric course development and delivery. Together, we pack a pretty strong punch. We have been able to consult IDEAL regarding: web-centric pedagogy, online training, technology tools, media creation, instructional design, courseware development, community development, technical support, and more. Recently, IDEAL has helped us set up an Organizational Development blog which we just launched. The blog is our way of sharing information with the global community. We have a great team and look forward to working with IDEAL in the future.

What advice do you have for Faculty, Deans, Directors, and Department Chairs that are curious about designing a new program or adapting a current program to a web-centric or totally online format?
For anyone interested in learning about ways to incorporate distance technologies into programs and/or classrooms, you should take part in the Online Faculty Training Program that IDEAL offers several times a semester.  Since you participate in the training program as an online student for 3 weeks, you truly experience empathy for the students, understanding of the pedagogy, and exposure to the technology.  To successfully incorporate distance technologies, you will need to start the process with an open mind and remain proactive throughout the process.  You should go into it with a clear idea of what you are trying to achieve along with clear knowledge of your market (who they are, what kind of education do they want).  We recommend partnering with IDEAL and benefiting from others' experiences. Read EMOD Interview

Making the Grade: Online Education in the United States, 2006
Nearly 3.2 million students were taking at least one online course during the fall 2005 term, a substantial increase over the 2.3 million reported the previous year. This study represents the 4th annual report on the state of online learning in U.S. higher education. Supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and conducted by the Babson Survey Research Group in partnership with the College Board, the report, based on responses from over 2,200 colleges and universities, examines a number of key questions: Read Full Report

My SecondLife

while seated in the cockpit. How often can you attend class on a platform that happens to be orbiting the earth? These are daily activities for anyone who visits the International Spaceflight Museum. The view from the platform was breath taking. There I was, looking down at the earth and all I could think about was the absence of guardrails on the platform. Wait, did I mention that this all took place in SecondLife?

While nothing like my normal life, my SecondLife is very surreal. In my SecondLife I am a pirate, a Viking, circus performer, crewmember of the Star Trek Enterprise, or just my plain old self. It is amazing what I can do, except none of this is real. Everything I just mentioned exists with a Massive Multiplayer Online game called SecondLife. Participants of Second Life interact in a virtual world where imagination is the only limit. Within SecondLife, people are allowed to build virtually anything from ships, cities, cars, and clothing.

During my visit to the International Spaceflight Museum, sponsored by the MoonFront LLC of SecondLife and NASA, I took a tour of Spaceport Alpha at CoLab Island. Currently, they have digitally recreated over 40 rockets used for space exploration. I must say it was amazing to look around and find myself surrounded by so many modern wonders. I also watched a fascinating movie about the living conditions for astronauts in space.

When I am not exploring space or flying around in a rocket, I attend class. I am currently enrolled as a group participant in the CyberOne group from Harvard Law School, taught by Professor Nesson. Students of the Harvard Law class are given the option to attend class virtually on the Berkman Island. The virtual class is similar to its real life counterpart. Professor Nesson uses PowerPoint slide shows and lectures to deliver his content. As of right now, I have checked out a few of the public forums on Berkman Island and signed up for the newsletter. The forums provide the opportunity to hear about the future of education.

It is also interesting to see what some real life businesses are doing upon their entrance into the realm of SecondLife. Companies like Pontiac, Nissan, Toyota, Adidas, Reebok, IBM, CNET, and Reuters have all staked their virtual claim in SecondLife. All of these businesses view SecondLife as a new and exciting way to market their products. Pontiac has created an island that allows users to view, customize, and even test drive new cars. Adidas has built clothing stores and Reuters has launched a news center in SecondLife.

It takes some adjustment to deal with everything that you might possibly see in SecondLife, but I am starting to get the hang of it. People flying through the air, talking robots, and space rides are starting to become almost normal to me now.

As you click around in Blackboard, you will start to notice some customizable features. This is a great way to make your course shell stand out from others, but also to make important information more accessible. The easiest way to do this is to simplify the buttons in the course menu .

Click Here to view a tutorial

Fig. 1 Default Course Menu

The default menu for all courses has nine buttons, but how many of us actually use all of them? For example, an instructor may include their contact info with the syllabus in the “Course Information” area, leaving the “Staff Information” area empty. So to simplify the course menu, the “Staff Information” button should be removed. Buttons can also be rearranged, renamed, and added.

All this can be done from the Control Panel . Look in the Course Options area and click on Manage Course Menu . This is where you can rearrange, modify, add or remove any buttons. You can rename a button by clicking Modify and typing in a new name. To create a new button, select the type of button you would like to add (Content Area, Tool Link, Course Link, or External Link), then customize the various options to categorize and name that button.

There are many more ways to customize your course. Contact IDEAL if you would like help “remodeling” your online classroom.

Learning 2.0:  IDEAL Faculty Lunch Hour Lecture Series

Join the staff of IDEAL (Interactive Distance Education for All Learners) for a new lunch hour series!  The series will feature informative and collaborative sessions with opportunities for faculty and staff to learn about current online technologies and pedagogical and administrative practices.

Bring your lunch and interact with colleagues across campus.  Seating is limited:  contact Beka Patterson at rpatter@bgsu.edu or 2-6792 to register!  (All sessions will be held in College Park, Room 2 from 11:30am-1:00pm).

January 31, 2007

Web 2.0:  The New and Improved WWW

Web 2.0 is loosely defined as a proposed second generation of interactive internet-based tools.  Web 2.0 applications include blogs, wikis, and enhanced tools that encourage sharing and collaboration.  This presentation will introduce attendees to the concept of Web 2.0, feature demos of Web 2.0 applications, describe how Web 2.0 technologies are changing the way we learn, and present ideas and opportunities for incorporating Web 2.0 into the classroom. 

February 26, 2007

3D virtual worlds:  What's in it for Faculty and Students?

Experience the latest 3D virtual worlds and see how other educational institutions are using them in online classrooms.  This session will present definitions of 3D terminologies and will demonstrate “Second Life” and “Active Worlds”, two popular 3D technologies.  Attendees will experience how to create “avatars” (graphical representations of humans), and learn how 3D world simulations can be used to expand and enhance educational opportunities for students. 

March 27, 2007

Distance Education at BGSU:    A Recent Success Story

The Sloan Consortium fourth annual report on the state of online learning in the US:   “Making the Grade:  Online Education in the United States, 2006” states that:

• “Nearly 3.2 million students were taking at least one online course during the fall 2005 term, a substantial increase over the 2.3 million reported the previous year.
• The more than 800,000 additional online students is more than twice the number added in any previous year.”

To help meet the growing demand for distance courses, IDEAL and the College of Business worked collaboratively to launch the first web-centric degree program at BGSU during the spring 2007 semester.  Join CBA and IDEAL staff for a panel discussion on how they transformed the Executive MOD program to include online delivery.  Hear first-hand accounts from the faculty who are teaching online as well as testimonials from online students who are in the program.

April 25, 2007

Orientation to distance education at BGSU

This interactive presentation is designed to provide information and discussion on developing distance education opportunities at BGSU.  Topics include: 

• What does an online classroom look like?  View a demonstration of current BGSU online courses and get a first hand look at the opportunities for teaching and learning using web-based delivery.
• Where and how do I start?  Receive an introduction to IDEAL including checklists for online course and program development at BGSU as well as information about pedagogical and technical support.
• What technologies are available for distance education?  Learn how to maximize Blackboard functionalities and utilize other technologies to develop an interactive and engaging online course.

What BGSU faculty are saying:

• “All of it was valuable.  Perhaps most useful was seeing what could be done, the detailed instructions and being in a position of being forced to complete assignments........seeing it through the eyes of the student.”
• “Overall, I found this extremely valuable and will recommend it to colleagues.”

An online course is much more than a repository of information. It is an interactive, collaborative, and informative method of instruction. What better way to learn how to teach effectively online than to experience it from the student's point of view. Join your colleagues for 3 weeks in learning how to harness the power of online instruction by participating in a completely online workshop via Blackboard and facilitated by a distance learning specialist. Just like most distance courses, this course works around your schedule rather than vice versa. After completing this workshop, you will receive an IDEAL Certificate of Training and you will join the ranks of other leaders in e-Learning at BGSU as a member of the BGSU e-Learning Colloquium.

Click here to learn more and enroll in the online training program or for more information call 419-372-6843, or e-mail ideal@bgsu.edu

NOTE: This course is most beneficial for instructors somewhat new to facilitation and course design in the online environment.

The Next 3 Week ONLINE Faculty Training Program: February 5th - 23th