Lincoln (Neb.) - April 25, 2000 - The University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the Dakota Interactive Academic Link Inc. have announced a new collaborative project to deliver a master's degree in education via technology to teachers in South Dakota.
DIAL, Inc. is a consortium of 33 school districts in South Dakota, including public, private, and tribal schools. NU graduate Doreen Gosmire of DIAL approached her alma mater after receiving a Technology Challenge Grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Education.
NU and DIAL will collaborate in developing and delivering this distance program. The program will help South Dakota teachers effectively utilize the technology infrastructure created by South Dakota Gov. Bill Janklow.
This collaborative project will assist Nebraska faculty in educational administration, curriculum and instruction, and agricultural leadership and education to enhance existing distance delivered courses. The program will also develop new delivery formats using a variety of technologies. Elective courses from South Dakota's postsecondary institutions will also be incorporated into the program.
Jim O'Hanlon, dean of NU's Teachers College, said, "The funding received by Teachers College through this project will enable us to develop more advanced distance learning courses to help teachers improve their use of instructional technology."
The project provides faculty an opportunity to learn more about tribal educational needs. This will enhance curriculum offered and contacts with tribal schools in South Dakota and Nebraska. The Division of Continuing Studies will provide design and technical assistance to help faculty integrate a combination of video-conferencing, Internet and other developing technologies.
The first cohort from South Dakota begins course work this summer. Nebraska faculty members Birdie Holder and Barbara LaCost will travel to South Dakota for on-site orientation and advising.
The implementation of this project infuses learning theories, distance education applications and modeling distance teaching practices for the improvement of course delivery and design. This collaborative project between South Dakota school districts and the University of Nebraska demonstrates how resources can be shared to enrich teaching and learning.
"We are pleased that the excellent reputation of our faculty in the
distance education arena led to the invitation to work on this
collaborative effort," O'Hanlon said. "The end result will be enhanced
learning opportunities for students in both states."
Back to menu
For questions regarding these releases, contact:
tsimons1@unl.edu
(402) 472-8514, Fax: (402) 472-7825