Syllabus

CET 749 Policy and Management for Distance Education

A. Institution              Dakota State University

B. Instructor               Deb Gearhart

                                    201A Mundt Library

                                    Dakota State University

                                    Madison, SD 57042

                                    605-256-5049 or 800-641-4309

                                    deb.gearhart@dsu.edu

  Office hours 7:30 - 4:30 CST M-F, Home phone number 605-256-9233 until 9:00pm CST

C. Semester/Year     Summer 2003

D. Course prefix, number and title

            CET 749 Policy and Management for Distance Education

E. Credit Hours          3 credit hours

F. Approved course description (found in University catalog)

Using the systems approach, this course examines the models of governance of Distance Education organizations.  The course focuses on identification and analysis of the institutional policies, management procedures and strategic planning efforts necessary to managing distance education programs.   Topics include: conducting needs assessments, preparing new programming tools, marketing plans, developing budgets and management plans, developing program evaluations, and so on.

G. Additional course information (optional)

  Emphasis is given to broadening educators vision of learning by distance so that it embraces engaged, energizing, and equitable learning for all students. 

H. Prerequisites        

I. Additional course information

If there is any student who has special needs for accommodation, please feel free to discuss the matter with the instructor. Students requiring accommodations need to contact Dr. Robert Jackson, the DSU ADA Academic Coordinator. He can be reached at (605) 256-5823 or toll free at (800) 641-4309 or robert.jackson@.dsu.edu.   The ADA Office is located in the Student Services Office in the Trojan Center on the Madison Campus.  

J. Textbook and other references

Picciano, A. G. (2002). Educational Leadership and Planning for Technology. Third Edition.  Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill Prentice Hall.

Dillon, C. L. and Cintron, R. (1997). Building a Working Policy for Distance Education. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Available at the DSU Bookstore.

K. Computer skills used

Familiarity with and have access to the Internet and email, basic computing functions.  (www.departments.dsu.edu/disted/survey/compRequired.htm)

 Recommended: Pentium, 63 MB RAM, with 56.6 K modem, Microsoft Internet Explorer 5, or Netscape Navigator 4.  

If you have technical difficulties during the course please email or call me and we will work through them.

L. Core Objectives

This course is designed to enable learners to:

1. Be proficient in finding, evaluating, and using current educational research to support continuous improvement in Distance Education (program goal 9).
2. Develop an in depth knowledge of distance education’s past, present and future, and be aware of the political, socio-economic, and technological factors that help shape distance learning systems in the area of policy and management.
3. Understand the different forms of distance education organizations and the process for shaping governance policies that will produce interactive and networked designs for learning.
4. Apply a variety of system functions and architectures that address the unique learning styles and needs of students.
5. Be able to work a distance education program through the planning process from needs assessment through program evaluation.
6. Be able to develop a distance learning marketing plan.
7. Be able to develop a budget for a distance education program.

The objectives for this course will be met with learning experiences set up to bring multiple perspectives to solve problems such that each perspective contributes to shared understanding for all learners.

M. Additional Course Information

You will be using the library during the course.  Please familiarize yourself with the Library and review the instructions for distance students at www.departments.dsu.edu/library.

Academic policies for graduate students will be followed for this course as established in the graduate catalog.  Plagiarism is a serious offense and will not be tolerated in this course.  Research and writing in this course is expected to be at a graduate level.  

You will find a student guide on the Distance Education and Web Technology web site which will provide you with necessary policies and procedures.  

Important Links:

Library   http://www.departments.dsu.edu/library/distance.htm

Policies

Student Handbook    http://www.departments.dsu.edu/student_services/handbook/default_2002.htm

DEWT Student Guide       http://www.departments.dsu.edu/disted/studentguide/guide.htm

Graduate Policies    http://www.departments.dsu.edu/registrar/catalog/graduate/graduate_policies_and_maters_de.htm

DSU Bookstore   http://www.dsubookstore.com/

Computer Services Support    http://support.dsu.edu/

Ordering Transcripts   http://www.departments.dsu.edu/registrar/transcripts.htm  

N. Instructional Methodologies

Students proceed through a course of study as directed and assisted by computer technology.  Mastery is based on achieving competencies and benchmarks.  The instructional model is interactive, being responsive to learner’s needs and collaborative where the learners develop new ideas and understanding by the interaction with the instructor and other learners.  The course is delivered primarily over the Internet.  Class communication and interaction will be asynchronous with the use of discussion boards and email.  Contact with the instructor will be by email or telephone.

O. Course Outline

P is Picciano text and D&C is Dillion and Citron text 

  P. Evaluation procedures

Assessment of learning is an ongoing process and will comprise of participation in the course discussion on the web board, completion of assignments and completion of a final project that will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of distance education program management and is relevant to the learner’s real world needs.  Planning of the final project will be done collaboratively with the instructor and learner or learners.

  Class discussion                   20%

  Assignments                         30%

  Final Project                         50%

Letter grades of A, B, C, or F will be awarded for assignments and projects.  Points will be awarded for participation on the discussion board.  Under the progress button you will find instructions to using the DSU Gradebook.  you will need to enter an and password for yourself and I will approve your account.  you will receive your grade information there.

Q. Selected bibliography/research and best practices

  Moore, M. G. and Kearsley, G. (1996). Distance Education A Systems View. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.

Rumble, G. (1997). The Costs and Economics of Open and Distance Learning. London:Kogan Page and the Institute of Educational Technology, Open University.

Verduin, J. R. and Clark, T. A. (1991). Distance Education The Foundations of Effective Practice.  San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.

Willis, B. (1993). Distance Education A Practical Guide. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Educational Technology Publications.

R. Graduate Nature

Participants will research, discuss, and apply current theory on administration and development of policy for distance education programs.  Participants will reflect on the systems approach to managing and assessing the various forms of distance education programs.  Participants are provided the theoretical background and practical applications to conduct research and design and effectively manage distance education programs.  

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Last updated on 05/15/2003