Integrated Distance Education Model

The Integrated Distance Education Model was developed for two courses within the Master of Education Cross-Disciplinary Study of Children and Families Program in the College of Education and Human Service Professions at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. In addition to core course work in research methods, human diversity, special education, communication, and systems' perspectives , students enrolled in the program take three seminars.

Students in the program come from across the state of Minnesota. They reside in small rural towns as well as mid-sized cities. The distance between students and the UMD campus is over four hundred miles. Thus, it makes sense to offer students the opportunity to become involved in graduate education while remaining near their homes.

The Integrated Distance Education Model was first developed for ECh 5602, Seminar Two: Case Study Approach to the Study of Complexities in the Lives of Children and Families. The model included the use of ITV (Interactive Television), the posting of an on-line course syllabus, and the use of synchronous chats. To use ITV, students had to travel to three university campuses some four hundred miles apart. To use the synchronous chats, students could remain in their own homes or places of business, connecting to each other and to faculty at the University of Minnesota, Duluth campus in real time discussions.

This Web Report was developed to share this model with you. The main parts of the report include 1) the preparation of the mode, 2) the implementation of the model, 3) the effects of the model, 4) the connections with other models and relevant research, and 5) recommendations for other people interested combining the WWW and ITV in coursework.

By clicking on each of the words in the small circles, you will access additional sub-menus with further explanations and examples of this model. We hope that you enjoy your "travel" through this model.

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