Online Graduate Degree Programs in Instructional Technology Theresa D. Gergen
Abstract
Valdosta State University (VSU), a public institution of higher education located in Valdosta, Georgia, offers three online distance education graduate degree programs related to instructional technology. This paper highlights two post-master’s programs leading to an educational
specialist in instructional technology degree. In addition, a brief description of Valdosta State University’s master of education degree program in instructional technology is included. Information about accreditation, program length, tuition, and enrollment for the three online programs is summarized. The author shares observations about the visual appeal and user-friendliness of the VSU website. Recommendations are given for modifications of the website to enhance efficiency of user access to site information.
Online Graduate Degree Programs is Instructional Technology
The paper describes the graduate degree offerings in instructional technology of Valdosta State University. It further provides an overview of the positive and negative aspects of the university’s Web site, with special focus given to functionality.
The University System of Georgia includes 35 affiliated public centers of higher education (USG Fast Facts, n.d.). Valdosta State University (VSU), located at 1500 Patterson Street, Valdosta, GA 31698, is a regional university that offers a variety of graduate degree programs (Valdosta State University, 2010a). The Web address for VSU is
http://www.valdosta.edu/. A record enrollment of 12,391 students was reported for the fall of 2009 by the Valdosta State University’s online newsletter (2009). Graduate students represented 16.6% of the student population (Valdosta State University News, 2009).
VSU’s Online Degree Programs in Instructional Technology
According to the list of online programs within the College of Education, students may pursue a graduate program leading to an education specialist degree in instructional technology with or without library media option (VSU, 2010b). The education specialist in instructional technology degree program was first offered in the summer of 2000 (VSU, 2010c). It consists of 27 credit hours which may be completed within 6 semesters (VSU, 2010d). The degree program leading to educational specialist in instructional technology with library media option is a 36 credit hour program (VSU, 2010d). This option was recently added; program completion is projected be achieved within 8 continuous semesters (VSU, 2010d). Tuition costs and fees are estimated to be $7023 for the 27 credit hour program, and $9300 for the 36 credit hour program
(VSU, 2010d). These costs are based on 2009 e-tuition rates and include institution, access and technology fees (VSU, 2010d). In addition to the education specialist post-professional master degree offerings, Valdosta State University also offers an online master of education in
instructional technology (either library media technology or technology application) (VSU, 2010b). Current published online graduate tuition is $225 per credit hour (VSU, 2010e). Detailed enrollment data for the online graduate degree programs in instructional technology were not found, however, a report issued by the university’s office of strategic research and analysis suggested that in spring 2009, less than 160 students were pursuing an educational specialist degree (Valdosta State University, 2009).
These three graduate degree programs offered by Valdosta State University are described as being “fully online” (VSU, 2010f). Blackboard Vista 8 is the course management system that supports online, hybrid and Web-enhanced courses offered by the university (VSU, 2010g). Accrediting bodies for Valdosta State University’s online degree programs include the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC) (VSU, 2010b).
Critique of Website Visual Appeal
Valdosta State University’s website is characterized by uniformity of color, style and layout. Variations in layout, when used, are subtle and non-distracting. The uniformity of design elements, in combination with the appropriate use of photographs and text, contribute to the
aesthetically pleasing quality of the website. The screen shots shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 illustrate these observations.
Organization of Website and Web Pages
Although the content of the navigation bars on the left side of the screen differs between pages, the navigation links within the headers and footers are constant. As seen in the Figures 1 and 2, the location of the search box may be either on the top of the left navigation bar or on the top of the far right side of the page. Descriptive headings on each Web page assist the viewer with orientation and navigation.
Ninety percent of the information sought for this assignment was located in the Valdosta State University’s website, although it was necessary to view seven distinct Web pages.
Enrollment data could not be located in the website, however, general enrollment figures from 2009 were located through an online university newsletter (Valdosta State University News, 2009). This reviewer was also able to identify contact persons for the education specialist degree programs and the master of education in instructional technology program. Requests for
enrollment data were sent to these individuals electronically on May 14, 2010. On May 17, 2010, this reviewer received electronic notification that the contact person for the education specialist degree program would be out of the country until June 9, 2010. At the time of submission of this assignment, no response had been received from the contact person for the master of education in instructional technology program.
Summary and Recommendations
The most positive aspect of the Valdosta State University Web site is the sheer volume of available information. It is unlikely that a prospective or current student would need to use a
telephone to obtain information from a university representative. Improvements could be made in the organization of the information, however. For example, the Web page, “Online Ed.S. in Instructional Technology with Library Media Option” consists of 15 narrative paragraphs (VSU, 2010d). The addition of headings would assist students in quickly locating desired information. The use of a Frequently Asked Questions format for general topics, with links to Web pages with more detailed information, could also improve the efficiency of information retrieval.
References
USG fast facts (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.usg.edu/government/facts/ Valdosta State University (VSU). (2010a). Graduate degrees. Retrieved from
http://valdosta.reachlocal.net/gradschool/degree.shtml
VSU. (2010b). College of education online programs. Retrieved from http://valdosta.reachlocal.net/coe/onlineprograms/index.shtml
VSU. (2010c). Dewar college of education: Education specialist instructional technology – online program. Retrieved from
http://valdosta.reachlocal.net/gradschool/Ed.S.ITadmissions.shtml
VSU. (2010d). Instructional technology with library media option. Retrieved from
http://valdosta.reachlocal.net/coe/clt/Instructional_Technology/Ed.S.LMOption.shtml VSU (2010e). Etuition and online courses for graduate students. Retrieved from
http://valdosta.reachlocal.net/academic/eTuitionforGraduates.shtml
VSU. (2010f). Dewar college of education: Education specialist instructional technology – online program. Retrieved from
http://valdosta.reachlocal.net/gradschool/InstructionalTechnologonlineMain.shtml VSU. (2010g). Distance learning. Retrieved from http://valdosta.reachlocal.net/distance/ Valdosta State University. (2009). Strategic research and analysis enrollment update – spring
2009. Retrieved from http://www.valdosta.edu/sra/documents/Spring2009.pdf Valdosta State University News. (December 8, 2009). Enrollment reaches historic record.
Figure 1. Example of a VSU Web page.
