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Learning From A Distance
The UWSSLEC program combines intensive face-to-face meetings with work over the Web. It is ideal for those who find it difficult to fit traditional class structures, or for people who are too far away for easy access to university facilities. Each campus has a traditional program for those in commuting range, with courses available in the evenings.
How Do I Attend Courses?
Each semester course consists of Web-based interactions combined with two intensive two-day weekends (Friday/Saturday or Saturday/Sunday) for face-to-face work. These intensive working sessions are linked and interwoven with the projects, assignments, and conversations conducted over the Web.The required two-day residencies are held on the campus of the delivering institution, unless announced otherwise. Thus, if Eau Claire is delivering the class, the intensive weekends are in Eau Claire. Where possible, the summer residencies for consecutive or concurrent courses will be scheduled back-to-back, so you may plan a single, extended campus visit.
During the academic year, one course will be offered each semester. Each summer, UWSSLEC faculty will offer two courses in the class sequence. Your semester starts and ends on normal campus dates. The work is paced week-by-week in much the same way as an on-campus course, but you work at your own location and in your own time-frame. If you enroll in each course, you will complete your licensure in two years.
Is This Distance Education Program for Me?
Before you begin any program, you need to determine if it meets both your needs and your personality. You need to assess your lifestyle, your technology comfort, your self-motivation, your preferred style of learning, and your finances.
This program has one or two required intensive residencies each semester and during the summer as well as lots of work online. Assume at least 5 -10 hours online per week during the school year, and more during the more intensive summer courses, in addition to the time you will spend reading and doing research. Expect to:
- read critically
- research
- use online resources
- use print resources
- reflect, discuss
- analyze
- synthesize
- produce new ideas
- communicate online
- use a range of technologies
- work in groups
- work alone
- problem solve
- seek help in various places
- ask questions
- question answers
- apply what you learn to your work
- bring work experiences to the discussion
- work at home
- travel to different UW campuses
- and much more
If you choose this program, you need to commit time each week to the course just as if you were taking a campus-based course. Online courses require more self-motivation and perserverence, because you are more responsible for your own learning. The distance environment is not a watered-down version of face-to-face classes, and many people find it more work as well as being more rewarding.
Many of the University of Wisconsin campuses also offer a strictly campus-based program, some offer courses via interactive video networks, and some universities in the country offer a fully web-based course with no face-to-face experiences. Each option has its strengths and weaknesses. You need to decide which is for you.
The Illinois Online Network outlines "What Makes a Successful Online Student?" (http://www.ion.illinois.edu/IONresources/onlineLearning/StudentProfile.asp). It is helpful to look at the Illinois guide before you decide to enroll in this program. Do they describe you? There is a self-evaluation you can take to see if you fit in with an online program. Their "Tips for Online Success" are valuable. If online learning seems like a good fit, SUNY offers a calculator to compare the financial cost of online versus on campus.
This program requires some basic technology skills. Before you begin your first course, you should go through the technology modules and make sure you have mastered these basic skills. Additional technology skills will be introduced throughout the program in the same way. If you have questions about these modules, contact the program.
As soon as your register you should receive a userid and password for these modules. If you have not received it within two weeks of registering, contact Carrie Lencho. Do each module and take the quiz. Some of the quizzes will give you immediate feedback and others have some manual grading required, so that your score will not be posted for a few days. As an added bonus as you do these modules, you will become familiar with WebCT, the program that provides the framework for all the courses in the program. Make sure you have at least Netscape Communicator 7.X or Internet Explorer 5.X for higher before you begin these modules. For more information, check the pages on technology skills and technology needs.