Discovery Education and Wilkes University to offer masters degree
Let’s get the full disclosure part out of the way right up front. Yes, I work for Discovery Education. And no, they didn’t ask me to post this on Teach42. But I think it’s pretty darn cool so I’m going to anyway. This is semi-cross posted on the DEN Blogs.
Discovery Education and Wilke’s University are launching a new online master’s degree program in instructional media! This has been in the works for a quite a while now, so I’m thrilled to finally announce it.
The 30-credit instructional media program will prepare teachers to engage today’s students in learning through digital media. It will educate teachers to become specialists who can effectively blend academic rigor with the latest technology, from video to Web 2.0 to virtual field trips.
Courses will focus on topics such as digital storytelling, using digital media in the classroom, using technology to support creativity, and applying brain-based theories of how students process information to technology integration. Kathy Schrock, a nationally known leader in technology integration in the classroom, will design “Internet Tools for Teaching” scheduled to begin in spring 2009.
Yeah, that’s right. Kathy Schrock is going to be one of our teachers. Too cool for words.
I won’t be teaching initially, but I am working on putting together a curriculum for a Web2.0 oriented class. However, considering how much information is out there already, if I’m going to be doing it I want to make sure that it really embodies the spirit of teaching in the 2.0 world. So while I’m not 100% what it will ‘look’ like, you can be certain that you’ll be reading about the progress of it here.
This isn’t a partnership that was entered into casually. Wilkes University had to ensure that the quality of coursework would meet their incredibly high standards, and the folks here at Discovery Education were just as concerned with creating a program that provides teachers with the superior instruction that they deserve.
“The program is designed to help all teachers effectively integrate media-based technologies in helping their students reach new heights of academic success,” Speziale said. “This is one of those special programs that can have an immediate transformative effect in a teacher’s classroom.”
Wilkes University is currently accepting applications for the Fall 2008 semester. Prospective students are encouraged to visit the university’s website at www.wilkes.edu/instructionalmedia, where they can find additional program information and sign up to receive application alerts via email. All Wilkes University Graduate Education Programs are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
If you’re looking for a way to jump up the pay school, maintain your certification, and get a superior education along the way, you should definitely check into it!
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Jake
6/23/2008
It’s really great to see classes and programs started that are focusing around the emergence of web 2.0 in the classroom. As a member of the software industry and marketing a note software, we’re excited to see where the future of the classroom is heading. For years we’ve assumed that it would become more and more digital and web-based, but programs like this have shown me that it is right around the corner. It’s a very exciting time for educators and students.
how to get your teachers teaching
6/23/2008
[...] But I think it??s pretty darn cool so I??m going to anyway. This is semi-cross posted on thehttp://www.teach42.com/2008/06/23/discovery-education-and-wilkes-university-to-offer-masters-degree/Students learn tennis coaching skills at Wimbledon Guardian UnlimitedTracy Cook visits Wimbledon, [...]
Bud Hunt
6/24/2008
Steve,
I find this to be a really interesting development. Part of me is astounded that there’s a corporate brand on an academic degree – and another part of me is pleased to see an advanced degree offered in this area. Is this a common practice – a corporate/academic partnership? (Honestly asking – not trying to be snarky.)
Steve Dembo
6/24/2008
To be honest, I don’t know. First that I know of. I think we basically came to the realization that we do have many people on staff and relationships with many others that would be particularly well suited to teaching such a class. The entire DEN team are former educators and we are lucky enough to be living and working in an environment that incorporates new technologies on a daily basis. That and we spend a great deal of our time working directly with teachers of all levels and hearing what their needs are. I can’t remember exactly who brought it up to me first, but when I heard the idea, it just seemed to make so much sense!
Steve Dembo’s most recent blog post.. Discovery Education and Wilkes University to offer masters degree
Bud Hunt
6/24/2008
Yeah – it’s an interesting situation. I think of any brand, yours is one that I’d be comfortable with – but I wonder about the model of corporate-branded instruction. It’s a fascinating place we’re in at the moment.
Andy Allen
6/24/2008
When designing your curriculum, you should make sure that you are not constrained by the past academic models which rigidly teach one skill set. To understand what I’m really getting at, check out the book “The World is Flat”, and see the chapter 7, “The Right Stuff”, which talks about the Georgia Tech undergraduate program which makes it’s students take two ‘threads’ in order to get a CS degree. P 314 in the Release 2.0 edition. There are 6 threads total, and the idea is that you need to know how to put things together, not just strickly know one thing or another.
Rebecca
6/24/2008
I heard that Harrisburg University in Pennsylvania has a really exciting masters degree in learning technologies, too. My sister works there. This summer they have a Web 2.0 Summer Clinic for educators where teachers can get Act48 credits and apply the class towards the MS program.
vejraska
6/24/2008
Thanks for the heads up on this new program. I sent for information already! Do you think it’s a freaky coincidence that you posted this the same week I listed “get my masters” on my summer PD goals meme? Hmmm…
vejraska’s most recent blog post.. First and Last NECC…perhaps
[...] But I think it??s pretty darn cool so I??m going to anyway. This is semi-cross posted on thehttp://www.teach42.com/2008/06/23/discovery-education-and-wilkes-university-to-offer-masters-degree/Learning Theory and IDMAINTAINING THE TIES BETWEEN learning THEORY AND instructional design … Is [...]
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