|
How will I benefit from this Masters program?
If you are a K-12 classroom teacher or administrator, this program will provide
you with the skills, knowledge and understanding to make informed, positive,
and productive choices regarding integration of technology into your classroom
and school curriculum. It will enable you to be a both a model and a leader
for technology integration in your school or district.
I don't have much technology skill. Will I still be able to participate in this
program?
Although desirable, it is not essential that you have skills beyond a beginner
level before starting the program. Many participants in the program start
the program with basic computer skills, e.g., ability to use word processor,
e-mail, presentation, and Internet software. Specific skills with database
and spreadsheet software, such as AppleWorks and Microsoft Office, will
be introduced, in the first course in the program. Additionally, specific
skills with graphics and web page creation software, such as PhotoShop
and Dreamweaver, will be taught. Other software addressed in courses will
be vary, based on what's available at local sites and initial skills levels
of students. All students are expected to improve their technical skills,
no mater what their starting level.
I already have very strong technology skills. Will I still benefit from this
program?
If you are already highly skilled in technology use and desire further development
of your skills, it's possible that, with course adjustments, your interests
could be met. However, before you apply it's important to discuss your
goals and curent skills with the cohort coordinator or porgram coordinator
to determine how closely the program aligns with your needs.
Will this program prepare me to be a technology coordinator?
If the position of technology coordinator is defined as one in which you will
work closely with teachers, mentoring, advising, and helping with the planning
of learning experiences and selection of hardware/software that integrates
technology into learning, this program will prepare you for the job. Also,
if the position involves technology planning and/or curriculum development
for a school or district, this program will be beneficial. If the position
is defined as one in which you need to perform the duties of a computer
science graduate (such as maintaining computers or computer networks, repairing
hardware, writing computer programs, or performing other tasks requiring
higher levels of technical skill related to specific hardware or software),
this program will not provide the skills you need.
Does it matter whether my experience is with Mac or IBM?
The predominant hardware used on-campus is Mac, and off-campus it depends on
the lab being used. In most cases, you can expect that each platform will
be used at some point in your program. The majority of software used will
either be cross-platform software or comparable programs will be available
in the other platform. Microsoft Office and Adobe products are currently
the primary software used.
I'm currently in another Master's program. Will anything I've done transfer?
You will need to discuss your specific courses with the cohort coordinator. Be
prepared to provide syllabi for any courses you wish to apply to the Classroom
Technology program. See also the next question regarding course substitutions.
Do I have to take the courses listed, or can I substitute other courses?
To qualify for the computer/technology endorsement to an existing, valid Ohio
teaching certificate or license, all courses must be taken except for EDTL
630 - Media Literacy Across the Curriculum, for which you may substitute
a valid alternative. If you do not choose to earn the computer/technology
endorsement, you may substitute up to 12 credits of courses for the following:
EDTL 634 - Hypermedia for Educators II (3); EDTL 635 - Classroom Technology,
Problem Solving, and the Curriculum (3); EDTL 636 - Networks for Learning
(3); and, EDTL 630 - Media Literacy Across the Curriculum (3). Substitutions
need to be graduate technology-related education courses suitably applicable
to the program. Depending on a student's background and goals, relevant
graduate courses may be substituted for electives from other units at BGSU,
including, but not limited to, the College of Technology, Department of
Computer Science, the College of Musical Arts, and other courses offered in the College of Education and Human Development
(e.g., relevant courses in EDIS, EDAS, etc.).
In some cases a course transferred from another university may be transferred
for credit as a substitution. If the course being transferred is a course
that was offered within a master's program for which a degree was earned
from another institution, there will be restrictions on the credit; this
is a special case that must be discussed with the program coordinator.
When substitutions are desired, a syllabus for the proposed substitution must be furnished to the graduate coordinator
a reasonable amount of time before the student plans to take the course
and any substitutions must then be approved in writing by the graduate
coordinator prior to the student beginning the course. A substitution must be a graduate level course appropriately related to the goals
and objectives of the Classroom Technology program and the course for
which the substitution is made. To apply for a substitution, the following
must be submitted:
- To the graduate coordinator:
- A Substitution Request Form (available from the program coordinator);
- A copy of the course syllabus;
- If the course is a transfer from another accredited university:
- A copy of the page from the graduate catalog of the institution at which the
course is taken with the course title and description;
- Verification that the course is part of a degree program at the institution where
it is taken. This verification can be either:
- A copy of a page from the graduate catalog of that institution which indicates
that the course counts toward a degree program (is
offered regularly as a course in the program) OR
- A letter to this effect from the graduate dean of that institution;
- Note: If a course is to be transferred from another institution and the course
was part of a program for which a Master's degree has
been earned, there are restrictions on what can be
transferred. In this case, contact the program coordinator
for information before applying.
- To the Graduate College:
- After the course is completed, an official transcript sent directly from the
institution showing the credit earned for the course.
Substitutions cannot be approved officially until at least 9 semester hours of
the program have been completed. Once approved by the graduate program
coordinator, substitutions will be forwarded to the Graduate College for
review and final approval.
Can I start early or change the course sequence to finish earlier?
In order to ensure that courses are available, courses are scheduled as they
are needed by the cohorts going through the program. Except for three of
the courses, BGSU is unable to offer the courses outside the cohort schedules.
Because of this, it is unlikely that scheduling would enable the program
to be completed over a shorter period of time, even if courses are substituted.
The three courses that are offered more frequently by the College (EDTL 611 -
The Curriculum; EDFI 641 - Statistics in Education; and, EDFI 642 - Research
in Education) are required courses that could be taken outside the cohort
offering times, with approval of the graduate coordinator. However, cohort
sections of these courses are recommended over general sections of these
courses, because the cohort instructors may be able to related the content
more directly to classroom technology topics.
When do courses meet and will courses in the Fall and Spring semesters always
be offered on the same day of the week?
Numerous factors may affect scheduling, including, but not limited to, instructor
availability, lab availability, distance learning capabilities, and the
number of courses taken in a semester. Schedules normally meet as described
here, but variations may be necessary due to these factors. No guarantees can be made regarding any aspect of scheduling, including timing
of courses, length of meetings, frequency of meetings, selection of meeting
rooms, and sequence of courses. For instance, while it is not common, under
exceptional circumstances, it is possible for a course to be offered daily
for 2 weeks or every other week for 16 weeks, as well as weekly for 12
weeks or bi-weekly for 6 weeks.
Fall and spring classes off-campus normally meet in the evening, once a week
for four hours per class and 12 weeks per semester. Fall and Spring courses
taken on campus follow the 16-week university schedule. Every effort will
be made to schedule all Fall and Spring classes for a cohort on the same
day of the week whenever possible. A sample Spring and Fall off-campus schedule:
EDTL 635 Technology, Problem Solving, and the Curriculum, Tuesdays, 4:30-8:30
PM, 9/11/08-11/18/08
OR EDTL 635 Technology, Problem Solving, and the Curriculum, Wednesdays, 5:00-9:00
PM, 9/12/08-11/26/08, no class Thanksgiving week.
Summer courses may be in a variety of schedule formats. The first summer session
in an off-campus cohort usually runs April-June, one evening per week (4
hours) for 12 weeks, or rarely it may follow the on-campus schedule for
the first summer session. The on-campus first summer session meets for
6 weeks, May-June two evenings a week (3 hours 10 minutes). Alternative
options, such as an intensive two-week course, etc. are rare, but could
be offered. A sample Summer First Session schedule:
EDTL 635 Technology, Problem Solving, and the Curriculum, Wednesdays, 4:30-8:30
PM, 4/1/06-6/26/06.
The second summer session on and off campus usually includes two courses that
each meet twice each week during the day for 6 weeks, 3 hours 10 minutes
per meeting. Whenever possible, the two courses will be scheduled on the
same days, so that classes would be held morning and afternoon two days
a week, as Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday. A sample Second Summer Session schedule:
EDTL 635 Technology, Problem Solving, and the Curriculum, Mondays and Wednesdays,
8:00-11:10 AM, 6/27/05-8/3/05, no class 7/4/05
AND EDTL 611 The Curriculum, Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:50 AM-3:00 PM, 6/27/05-8/3/05,
no class 7/4/05.
With the exception of cohorts that start on the BGSU main campus in the summer,
all courses are held at the local site (not at BGSU) or are web-based.
For cohorts that start on campus in the summer, Spring and Fall Semester
courses are being offered off campus, currently at Perrysburg High School.
Currently two courses in the program are normally offered online as web-based
courses, with two face-to-face meetings during a semester. Three other
courses in the program are occassionally offered as web-based courses.
Whether or not a course is offered online depends to a large degree on
availability of instructors and instructor preference, although other factors
are also considered.
Under the new licensure standards, the state has defined a computer/technology
endorsement. Will I receive this if I complete this program?
Yes. You will qualify for the endorsement to your valid Ohio teaching certificate
or license, if you successfully complete program requirements and satisfactorily
document your skills, knowledge, and experience in a portfolio. The portfolio
is built throughout the program, beginning with the first course.
Will I have to write a thesis or take comprehensive exams?
The program is structured so that you complete a meaningful master's project
in EDTL 638 - Seminar on Technology and Learning, in place of writing a
thesis or taking comprehensive exams. You may, however, choose a thesis
option if you wish. Contact the program coordinator for details if you
choose to write a thesis.
Do I have to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)?
Yes, unless you already have a Masters' or Doctoral degree or have GRE scores
that were obtained within the past 5 years. GRE scores must be received
by the Graduate College before the end of the first semester of classes
you take in the program, or you will be unable to register for additional
classes. Ideally, the GRE should be taken before beginning the program.
At the latest, scores must be received before registration for your second
semester in the program (about a month before the end of the first semester).
The GRE is required by the Graduate College for accreditation purposes. The score
is one of many criteria considered when applications are reviewed, but
there is no minimum score required for acceptance into the Classroom Technology
program. At times when the number of applicants exceeds the number of seats
available in a cohort, you can expect that all application materials, including
GRE scores, will be compared to those of other applicants.
How do I check on the status of my application?
The application process involves a series of steps which must be followed: completing
the Graduate College application, requesting transcripts, obtaining letters
of reference, sending a letter of interest, and taking the GRE. All these
steps (except the GRE) must be completed before acceptance to the program.
These steps are detaile oin the How to Apply web page.
After receipt, your application progresses through another series of steps. It
doesn't hurt to follow up on your application after it is submitted, because
it may be held up at any point if your materials are not received.
- Your application form will be held by the Graduate College until all transcripts
are received.
- After they are received, the application and transcripts will be forwarded to
Nancy Brownell, in the School of Teaching and Learning.
- When your Grdauate Application, all transcripts, three letters of reference and
your letter of interest have been received by Nancy Brownell, the School
of Teaching and Learning's Classroom Technology program committee will
be able to review your application and will send a letter regarding conditional
acceptance in or rejection from the program within one to two weeks of receipt.
- Accepted applications will be signed and returned to the Gradate College. Official
acceptance letters will be sent to students by the Graduate College.
In some cases the Graduate College will admit students conditionally,
as when GRE scores are not yet received or when average undergraduate
grades are not sufficient for unconditional admittance.
- When enough students have been accepted to form the on-campus cohort, students
who have been accepted into the program will be notified of their acceptance
into the cohort.
If you have any questions regarding whether particular items have been received
at any point in the process, please contact Nancy Brownell.
How many students apply and how many are accepted?
Application rates vary. The most applications we've had for one cohort was 44. Recently the range has been from 14 to 23 per cohort.
Normally, at least 15 students are necessary to form a cohort and no more than
20 students are accepted. The number of applicants accepted has varied from about
13 to 25 per cohort since the program started 13 years ago.
What are application deadlines?
Completed applications are being reviewed for acceptance as they are received.
Once enough students have been accepted to fill a cohort, additional applicants
have the options of being put on a waiting list. Openings frequently do
come up at the last minute before classes start.
How do I register?
Applicants accepted into the program will receive details regarding registration
for the courses. All registrations throughout the program are submitted
by the cohort coordinator. You cannont register yourself through the registration
system or the registrar's office for course sections scheduled for cohorts.
Last Update 2/17/08
|
