As the world becomes ever more dependent on technology, many wonder how our workforce, students, and teachers can keep up.  And, people wonder, can students in rural areas receive an education equivalent to that in larger cities?  That’s where the instructional design and technology (IDT) program at UND comes in.  

The master’s degree program helps current K-12 teachers become technology facilitators who can teach other teachers to use technology.  It also fills corporate demand for people who can develop effective training in technology, which is needed by hospitals, the military, banks, retailers, and other sectors.

Why focus on instruction and training?  “We noticed that, because students work so hard to learn, some training techniques let instructors get away with being ‘sloppy,’” said Rick Van Eck, associate professor of IDT and director of the graduate program.  “Students should enjoy effective instruction.”  So they began examining the learning environment as well as the learners, and developed ways to arrange courses in a logical manner for both students and teachers.  And they developed tests that actually measure learning.  The result?  About 90 percent of learners master some 90 percent of objectives, a far better success rate than traditional methods.  Graduates of the program are able to design effective instruction for any learner, through any medium, at any time.

A relatively new program at the University, IDT started in 1997 with the goal of using technology to teach technology.  Given North Dakota’s geography, the founders knew it couldn’t be a traditional on-campus degree, so faculty traveled to Fargo and Bismarck and used the state’s Interactive Video Network to teach the courses.  

“You shouldn’t have to think about technology,” Van Eck asserts.  “It should be invisible and allow you to do what you need to do.  We felt from the beginning that any ‘hybrid’ class should look and feel just like a normal classroom and allow everyone to participate without coming to campus.”

Because the program was founded by the College of Education and Human Development, the Department of Psychology, and the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, IDT has been able to accomplish this in several ways. 

The broadcast classroom streams live video online so students can see and hear what is happening in class, and the video is recorded for later viewing.  Breeze conferencing software allows students and instructors, whether in the classroom or at a computer station anywhere in the world, to see and hear the same thing, share computer screens and video, and take part in discussions, just as if they were in the same room.  Online sessions let students carry out discussions, comment on reading, and interact.  Though the courses are challenging, students don’t complain.   

“There’s a lot of value in multiple perspectives,” says Van Eck.  “We wanted students to hear from classmates, wherever they are.”  The program now has about 60 percent of students in the classroom, and 40 percent online in locations that include Michigan and Canada. 

What does this mean for students?  Those in smaller towns receive the same education as students at a university.  They don’t have to give up either the benefits of “live” classrooms or the flexibility to attend class when it works for them.  Because the strengths of the technology and needs of learners are aligned, instruction is customized, and all students have equal opportunities to learn.

Through the use of technology and a “classroom in a box,” UND’s Department of Social Work is training social workers across state lines.  For the first time, the department delivers the Master of Social Work (MSW) program online to students at a distance.

The department uses Breeze software, which offers interactive two-way audio and video.  Students and professors are able to see and hear each other during class.

“By offering the degree this way, we are going to be able to reach more people,” said Andrew Quinn, assistant professor of social work.  “I feel it truly replicates a classroom experience.”

Three professors teach from their computers.  A “classroom in a box” is exactly that — the courses are delivered in the same form whether students are seated in a classroom on campus or viewing it online.  The software allows for PowerPoint presentations, questions and answers, web cameras, and microphones.

The initial cohort has 12 students from North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota working on the two-year degree. 

The biggest advantage to earning a degree from a distance is that the students rarely have to come to campus.  While that may not be the traditional university experience, it is the trend for higher education.  It opens doors for preparing professionals in rural settings and allows more flexibility for students.

The students will be on campus this summer for a week to complete a portion of the practice classes.  The field experience component of their learning experience will be offered in their home communities with local MSW supervisors.

The Department of Social Work has offered distance-based courses since 1989.  It remains focused on offering the best possible program for students, and distance learning is one way to accomplish that.

When people in rural North Dakota need treatment for depression, addiction, or other conditions, it’s often difficult to find.  In the face of challenges such as dwindling populations and economic difficulties, many communities cannot offer mental health services even though the need for them is rising. 

The Department of Counseling is helping to meet that need.  It has developed a distance education program that uses technology to train counselors in their home communities.  These students become school counselors, addiction counselors, and professionals in their communities and reservations.

“We first taught our counseling methods course in an intensive weekend format,” said Duane Halbur, assistant professor of counseling.  “We went to Turtle Mountain Reservation and delivered the course to them.  There was continued interest in adding school counselors and addiction counselors in both rural and reservation areas.” 

The program began in 2005 with 12 students.  They are expected to graduate in fall 2007 with a Master of Arts in Counseling with the option of specializing in addiction or school counseling.

The program is delivered over two-way television using IVN (North Dakota Interactive Video Network), online using Blackboard and Breeze software, and face to face.  Streaming video is also a popular delivery method.  Students can watch the video whenever it is convenient for them right at their computers.  Discussion boards are also available online. 

“Several of our courses are ‘skill-based’ courses,” said Halbur.  “We go to the students and do intensive weekends with them.  Then throughout the semester we can keep in contact with them using IVN or Blackboard.” 

The benefits of distance-based learning degree programs are immense.  Students who are unable to travel to campus can now take additional training.  Many are full-time professionals who want training but cannot leave families and jobs. 

“We have a shortage of school and addiction counselors across the state.  Much of the state is considered an underserved area.  Distance learning allows us to reach people who would not be reached otherwise,” said Halbur.

“In both rural areas and some of the reservations, there are few mental health services available,” he continued. “This is a way for students to become mental health professionals.  Often they will be the only providers for miles.  This is serving a very real need in North Dakota.  Without the technology available, it would be extremely difficult to do so.”