Master of Education in Classroom Technology

• How will I benefit from this Masters program?
• I don't have much technology skill. Will I still be able to participate in this program?
• I already have very strong technology skills. Will I still benefit from this program?
• Will this program prepare me to be a technology coordinator?
• I'm currently in another Master's program. Will anything I've done transfer?
• Does it matter whether my experience is with Mac or Windows?
• Do I have to take the courses listed, or can I substitute other courses?
• Can I start early or change the course sequence to finish ealier?
• When do courses meet and will courses in the Fall and Spring semesters always be offered on the same day of the week?
• The state has defined a computer/technology endorsement. Will I receive this if I complete this program?
• Will I have to write a thesis or take comprehensive exams?
• Do I have to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)?
• How do I check on the status of my application?
• How many students apply and how many are accented?
• What are application deadlines?
• How do I register for classes?
• How do I know what classes I am allowed to teach with the Computer Technology Endorsement Certificate?

  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 in the 21st century.

  I don't have much technology skill. Will I still be able to participate in this program?

This program assumes that you are already a technology-integrating teacher, who models NETS-T standards.  The program is designed to support your growth to a NETS-TF (technology facilitator) level. 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, Microsoft Office or Open Office, will be reviewed 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, as well as Web 2.0 resources.  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 current skills with the cohort coordinator or program coordinator to determine how closely the program aligns with your needs. Review the NETS-TF (technology facilitator) standards and read over the course descriptions to decide if the program meets your needs.  If you are seeking the Computer Technology Endorsement Certificate, then completing the required 16-hours would provide you with this credential

  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 Windows?

The  hardware used on-campus includes Mac, Windows and Linux;  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, Adobe products, and FOSS applicaionts are currently the primary softwares 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 in the 16-hour 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.  BGSU is sometimes unable to offer the courses outside the cohort schedules. However, because all courses may be offered online, it is possible that you could pick up some online sections, or travel to campus or another cohort site, to complete your coursework ahead of schedule.  See the Sample Course Sequence and download the checksheets for the Computer Technology Endorsement and/or the Classroom Technology Masters to better plan your strategy for early completion.

Courses offered regularly include EDTL 6310 - Technology in the 21st Century Classroom, EDTL 6360 - Internet in the Educational Community, 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 6350 Technology, Real World Tech, Tuesdays, 4:30-8:30 PM, 9/11/08-11/18/08
OR EDTL 6350 Technology, Real World Tech, 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 6350 Real World School Tech, 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 6350 Real World School Tech, Mondays and Wednesdays, 8:00-11:10 AM, 6/27/05-8/3/05, no class 7/4/05
AND EDTL 6330 Dynamic Media I, 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.

ALL COURSES ARE NOW ALSO AVAILABLE ONLINE.  If you are interested in completing the endorsement or the masters degree completely online, please indicate this desire to the program and cohort coordinators.

Under the Ohio licensure standards, the state has defined a computer/technology endorsement. Will I receive this if I complete the endorsement certificate 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 endorsement program, beginning with the first course.

 Will I have to write a thesis or take comprehensive exams for my Masters degree?

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 detailed on 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 Dr. Savilla Banister, in the School of Teaching and Learning.
• When your Graduate Application, all transcripts, three letters of reference and your letter of interest have been received by Dr. Savilla Banister, the School of Teaching and Learning's Classroom Technology program committee will be able to review your application and make a decision.
• 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 Dr. Allison Goedde.

 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 15 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. You then register for the courses identified for your cohort group for that semester using the my.bgsu online registration system. If you have difficulty registering for a class, please contact Allison Goedde. It is important to register immediately once you are notified of the course offerings.  Failure to register in a timely manner may result in class unavailability.

Howdo I know what classes I am allowed to teach with the Computer Technology Endorsement Certificate?

Students seeking an endorsement in Computer/Technology must hold a current teaching certificate or license. Students who do not have a current (expired) teaching credential must complete the renewal requirements for a license prior to the granting of the endorsement in Computer/Technology.

Upon successful completion of the Computer/Technology endorsement program of study, the holder of an Ohio standard teaching credential may add an endorsement in Computer/Technology (#111770) by completing the listed 16 hours.

To determine the courses and grade spans you are allowed to teach with your Computer Technology Endorsement:

1.  Go to the ODE website and find the Certification and Licensure Search

http://education.ohio.gov/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDetail.aspx?page=3&TopicRelationID=1281&ContentID=10282&Content=60651

With this information (the course list for 111770) go to the 2010 EMIS Manual and locate the directory for the subject codes.

http://education.ohio.gov/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDetail.aspx?page=3&TopicRelationID=1281&ContentID=64464&Content=79148

Appendix C -Subject Codes (updated 10/2/09, version 1.0)