University to expand current online graduate programs
by Clare Churchill-Seder
News | 3/9/10
Posted online at 3:35 AM EST on 3/9/10
The University will focus on expanding its existing graduate distance learning programs and using distance learning to enhance other programs, according to the report released last Tuesday by the Working Group on Distance Learning.
Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Distance Working Group chair Michaele Whelan explained that though distance learning works extremely well in Graduate Professional Studies within the Rabb School of Continuing Studies, it is not something that would easily transfer to undergraduate education. Whelan said that the typical undergraduate lifestyle is not very conducive to online education because distance learning courses require readings and responses to be completed in specific time windows.
The Working Group on Distance Learning was convened in July 2009 by Provost Marty Krauss to discuss the University's use of online learning tools. The committee consisted of administrators from different schools within the University and was charged to inventory the success of current distance learning programs at Brandeis as well as to research possibilities for expanding such programs.
Working Group on Distance Learning committee member and Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences Elaine Wong referred the Justice to Whelan to talk about the report. Krauss also deferred questions to Whelan.
Currently, Graduate Professional Studies within the Rabb School "offers five out of its six ten-course, part-time, graduate professional master's degree programs entirely online," according to the report. Whelan said that the GPS online courses are attractive because they are capped at 20 students, which makes them very interactive. These courses use a slightly modified and enhanced LATTE platform and also use the software Elluminate, which is widely used by schools to provide real-time online interaction among teachers and students, she said.
The Working Group on Distance Learning reported that other instances of distance learning on campus include Webinars or web conferences which are offered through the alumni office, and the use of Elluminate at the Executive Education program within the Heller School for Social Policy and Management. Elluminate, in this case, is used to provide interaction with remote speakers and is supplemental to a more traditional course setting.
Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Distance Working Group chair Michaele Whelan explained that though distance learning works extremely well in Graduate Professional Studies within the Rabb School of Continuing Studies, it is not something that would easily transfer to undergraduate education. Whelan said that the typical undergraduate lifestyle is not very conducive to online education because distance learning courses require readings and responses to be completed in specific time windows.
The Working Group on Distance Learning was convened in July 2009 by Provost Marty Krauss to discuss the University's use of online learning tools. The committee consisted of administrators from different schools within the University and was charged to inventory the success of current distance learning programs at Brandeis as well as to research possibilities for expanding such programs.
Working Group on Distance Learning committee member and Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences Elaine Wong referred the Justice to Whelan to talk about the report. Krauss also deferred questions to Whelan.
Currently, Graduate Professional Studies within the Rabb School "offers five out of its six ten-course, part-time, graduate professional master's degree programs entirely online," according to the report. Whelan said that the GPS online courses are attractive because they are capped at 20 students, which makes them very interactive. These courses use a slightly modified and enhanced LATTE platform and also use the software Elluminate, which is widely used by schools to provide real-time online interaction among teachers and students, she said.
The Working Group on Distance Learning reported that other instances of distance learning on campus include Webinars or web conferences which are offered through the alumni office, and the use of Elluminate at the Executive Education program within the Heller School for Social Policy and Management. Elluminate, in this case, is used to provide interaction with remote speakers and is supplemental to a more traditional course setting.
Be the first to comment on this story