1. The MLS Online Jana Bradley, Director Library Science Program School of Information Studies Syracuse University Syracuse, New York jobradle@syr.edu

2. ONLINE DEGREES: Introduction Alternatives to campus education From online courses to degrees Rethinking online course structure Rethinking online pedagogy Rethinking entire degree delivery online

3. ONLINE DEGREES: Syracuse Experience School of Information Studies, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York Library education since 1896 Limited residency distance MLS, since 1993 Online delivery of 3 master’s degrees

4. SCHOOL OF INFORMATION STUDIES Interdisciplinary information school 5 degrees Master of Library Science Master of Information Management Master of Telecommunication and Network Management Bachelor of Information Management and Technology Ph.D. in Information Transfer

5. LIMITED RESIDENCY ONLINE PROGRAMS Limited residency, online delivery options for MLS, IM, TNM digress Initial 7-10 days on campus Internet courses with 3-4 day residencies without residencies Primarily part-time students

6. ONLINE MLS TOPICS Enabling Technology Individual Courses Degree Program Faculty Issues Student Issues

7. ENABLING TECHNOLOGY Online teaching/learning space Conditions of access Software choices Internet tools Build your own Vendor online course products

8. ENABLING TECHNOLOGY: Functionality Closed environment Document delivery Threaded discussion Chat rooms

9. ENABLING TECHNOLOGY: Functionality, con’d Student file space Group support Assignment posting Course management

10. IT Support 2 models Each tub on its own bottom Staff support Technology as the new instructional infrastructure 24/7 production environment

11. IT Support Course creation Course maintenance Faculty training/support Initial course Continual development Student training/support

12. INDIVIDUAL COURSES Rethinking instructional activities Four topics Providing content Structuring interaction Assigning activities Providing feedback/evaluation

13. Providing Content Rethinking content provision online Selecting readings textbook, scanned articles, internet documents Imparting knowledge Prepared documents Prepared presentations Asynchronous interaction Real-time interaction

14. Structuring Interaction Rethinking interaction online Spontaneous vs structured Types of structure Questions Exercises Student Contributions

15. Structuring Interaction Facilitator roles Assuring participation Laissez faire Participation requirements Graded participation Guidelines for e-discussion

16. Assigning Activities Rethinking assignments online Feasibility of short, frequent tasks Exercises “Search and summarize” E-journaling Cumulating student contributions

17. Assigning Activities Rethinking activities Papers/Essays Exercises Bibliographies/resource lists Projects

18. Assigning Activities Web pages as a product Student homepage Pathfinders and resource lists Other web documents Importance of a closed environment

19. Assigning Activities Submission alternatives Paper –cumbersome Electronic alternatives

20. Providing Feedback Developing new patterns Grading online Interspersed comments Comment message Group comments via e-discussion E-grades

21. DEGREE PROGRAM Rethinking all aspects of the student experience From paper to electronic Increased individual e-communication Need for “document” solutions Content ownership and version control

22. DEGREE PROGRAM Curriculum Relationship to campus courses Support services “paperwork” of being a student Interaction with university services

23. DEGREE PROGRAM Advising Relationship with advisor Peer advising Advising sites Extracurricular activities Exploring electronic delivery Student organizations Video conferences/lectures

24. DEGREE PROGRAM Student participation in governance Committee participation Representation Career Services

25. FACULTY ISSUES Reinventing oneself as a teacher Who teaches online? Support Technical Pedagogical

26. FACULTY ISSUES Workload issues Expectations of faculty Online presence Sharing Expertise

27. STUDENTS Profile of distance students Part-time students Motivated Often over committed Working, often in libraries

28. STUDENTS “Loneliness of the long distance student” Creating community among students Role of the residency Initial residency Course residencies Managing Student Expectations

29. SUMMING UP Moving Toward Rethinking the educational experience online E-interactions for student services 24/7 production environment More staff support Faculty self-sufficiency

30. MORE SUMMING UP Moving Toward Strategies for sharing experiences Increased use of electronic communication in campus-based programs Higher “bars” for campus-based instruction Increased instructor teaching time

31. SUMMING UP Moving Toward Collaborative learning and learning communities Strain on traditional faculty reward system

32. THE FUTURE Campus-based and Distance Delivery Can one institution do both well? How electronic will campus-based education go? School of Information Studies: commitment to both