Growth in the online offering of the Master of Science degree in the Education program at Bemidji State University has been so great over the last couple of years that the university has had to offer two to three sections of each course to fill the need. It's a scenario that Dr. Sue Cutler foresees happening soon with the online offering of the Special Education licensure program at Bemidji State University. Cutler is an Associate Professor and Special Education Coordinator of Online Licensure Programs at the university.
The online offering of the Special Education licensure program is still in its infant stages - having been implemented in August 2005. Cutler said the online program was started so that teachers who do not live close to Bemidji could access the offerings via their computer at home. Plus, it's safe and economical. "We recognize that there are teachers in Minnesota who are on variances for their Special Education licenses," said Cutler. "The online program allows these individuals to take classes from their homes and on their own schedule. "It is also important for me that students in the licensure programs not have to drive long distances in the middle of winter when it could be dangerous and, with the cost of gas these days, the opportunity to take an online class is very appealing," she added.
The online licensure program, where enrollment is capped at 25 students, provides licensures for specific learning disabilities and emotional behavioral disordered licenses for the State of Minnesota Department of Education. Cutler says it's important the university offers the online program in a timely manner. "Most teachers who are on variances have a two-year window in which to complete their license," said Cutler. "We offer the classes frequently enough so that they can complete their license in this amount of time." Its flexibility of offering it online allows students to work at their own pace within a weekly timeframe, unlike the campus-based licensure program or "face to face" program, as Cutler refers to it. "Since these are not scheduled classes, the students have the luxury of working at their own pace during each week," said Cutler. "I have some students who do not get on the computer until midnight or later because of their schedule. This provides a wonderful flexibility for students who can complete the assignments in their own time." Cutler teaches her class from Wednesday to Tuesday, "so students have that timeframe to finish a weekly assignment," she said.
Two integral parts of the online program involve class discussion and interaction with faculty. In both of these areas, Cutler says, it may be an advantage to take the course online. "In order to build a community of learners, students must take part in the discussion. In a face-to-face classroom, the question is posed and the students respond. Students don't have the luxury of thinking about the questions during the class period. Many students may opt to sit back and listen," said Cutler. "In an online class, the questions are posed and students can take some time before responding; most often professors close the discussion at the end of the week, which by then, we can have 300 to 400 postings on a single topic. That type of discussion could never take place in a face-to-face class."
Cutler adds that she gets to know the students better in an online environment because of the frequency of interaction. "Those of us who teach online classes are online every day. While we aren't available 24 hours a day, the contact between students and teachers is much greater than in a face-to-face class," she said. Cutler believes this type of program is essential as the need for special education teachers has increased over the last several years. "People are busy and do not have the luxury of driving several hours to take a class," she said. "By providing classes in a format that meets their needs and provides the coursework necessary for licensure, we are filling a void."
Bemidji State University is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system comprised of 32 state universities and community and technical colleges serving the higher education needs of Minnesota. The system serves about 240,000 students per year in credit-based courses and an additional 130,000 students in non-credit courses. Minnesota Online currently offers over 30 program options and serves more than 30,000 students.
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is an equal opportunity employer and educator. This document can be made available in alternative formats upon request.