Instructional Design Portfolio

Faculty member
Elaine Casler

This online course, "Introduction to Educational Technology", was offered as part of the Masters in Education program offered through distance learning to practicing teachers in rural areas of Western New York towards acquiring their permanent New York State Teaching Certification.

Elaine Casler is one faculty member enlisted to provide distant learning instruction as part of the Masters in Education program. The distance learning EdM program is an option for teachers to become permanently certified under the current regulations prior to the New York State teacher certification regulation changes scheduled for February 2004. The EdM DL program is offered through a joint effort of the UB Graduate School of Education and the College of Arts and Sciences utilizing a cohort of ten faculty members from both areas.

In Elaine Casler's course one activity included students viewing video clips of actual student use of technology and then discussing their observances using online discussion forums. Another GSE faculty member, Doug Clements, offered his course, covering the New York State Learning Standards, by seeking assistance from fellow GSE faculty members with expertise in specific content areas. Digital video and collaboration using UBLearns communication tools were used to enhance guest appearances from these faculty members.

In all of the courses offered through the EdM DL program heavy use of the UBLearns course management system was utilized to provide access to pertinent readings and course material. UBLearns was also used as a communication and collaboration to to create a learning community of students who were spread throughout the Western New York area.