ERIC Number: ED422884
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1998
Pages: 7
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
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Distance Education "Lifeguards": Saving Students from Traditional Waters.
Wilka, Kathy; Fitzner, Sue
This paper describes how the University of Arizona (UA) School of Information Resources and Library Science (IRLS) distance Master of Arts program works with policies and procedures written for traditional programs with different needs and objectives. Challenges discussed include: (1) registration, including using the university's automated telephone system, securing e-mail accounts, accessing UA systems, and getting grades and transcripts in a timely manner; (2) marketing, including advertising by predominantly electronic means, including lists, search engines, postings, word of mouth, and a World Wide Web site; (3) communication, including communicating via general lists, class lists, and the website, maintaining syllabi online in order to advertise course content and program offerings, and facilitating e-mail and systems access; (4) technology requirements, including determining students technological prowess, orientation, and the online IRLS Resource Guide; (5) advising, including making distance students feel connected with the institution using live-time interaction such as scheduled chat sessions and virtual office hours, along with e-mail and list communication; (6) residency, including enabling students to meet residency requirements during intensive summer and winter sessions, other flexible options, and encouraging higher administration to review the residency policy for master's level students; and (7) future plans, including awareness of the potential for growth in this area. (DLS)
Descriptors: Academic Advising, Access to Education, Computer Uses in Education, Continuing Education, Distance Education, Graduate Study, Higher Education, Internet, Library Education, Library Schools, Marketing, Masters Programs, Residence Requirements, School Guidance, School Registration, Technological Literacy, Technology Integration, Telecommunications
Publication Type: Reports - Descriptive; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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