Assignment1: Research Exercise
by
Noverene Taylor
A Graduate Degree Program in Distance Education
EDD 7007
Principles of Distance Education
Winter 2006
Dr. Charles Schlosser
Identify a specific graduate degree program in instructional technology, distance education, or
both, that is offered entirely or primarily via distance education. Identify just one program at one
university. Answer the following questions.
Part I: The Institution and its programs (1 point each)
1. List the name, address, and URL of the institution.
i)
ii)
iii)
University of Maryland University College (UMUC)
University of Maryland University College
3501 University Blvd. East,
Adelphi, MD 20783 • USA
http://www.umuc.edu/
Retrieved January 14, 2006 from: http://www.umuc.edu/
2. What degrees and majors are offered?
The University of Maryland University College offers a Master of Distance Education degree
(MDE). Retrieved January 14, 2006 from:
http://www.umuc.edu/grad/degrees/degrees_home.shtml
3. For how long has the institution been offering the identified program at a distance?
The University of Maryland University College has been offering its Master of Distance
Education degree since January 2000. Retrieved, January 14, 2006 from: http://www.unioldenburg.de/zef/literat/eden0602.pdf
4. What course delivery technologies are used?
The Master of Distance Education program, uses the university's online course delivery system
WebTycho which is a customized program developed by UMUC to facilitate course delivery via
the World Wide Web. Students attend classes via the computer and the Internet. Retrieved
January 14, 2006 from: http://tychousa2.umuc.edu/help.nsf/htmlmedia/about.html
http://www.umuc.edu/prog/gsmt/online/online_home.html
5. Is there a face-to-face component of instruction? If so, where is it conducted, and for
what duration?
There is no "face-to-face" component of instruction for this program.
Retrieved January 14, 2006 at: http://www.umuc.edu/grad/mde/
6. How long does it take to earn a degree in the identified program?
Students have seven years from the date of their first completed course to complete the MDE
program. Retrieved January 14, 2006 from: http://www.umuc.edu/grad/mde/faq.html#totaltime
7. Is the institution accredited? If so, by what organization?
UMUC has been accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States
Association of Colleges and Schools (3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104) for more
than 50 years. Retrieved January 14, 2006 from http://www.umuc.edu/grad/mde/faq.html#accredited
8. Is the institution public or private? If private, is it for-profit or not-for-profit?
University of Maryland University College (UMUC) is a very large public university offering
online programs. Retrieved January 14, 2006 at: http://www.umuc.edu/press/news219.html
9. What is the total enrollment of the institution? How many students are enrolled in the
identified distance-delivered program?
In Fiscal Year (FY) 2005, UMUC had 143,544 online course enrollments. At the beginning of its
third year, the MDE has surpassed its 1000th course enrollment from approximately 300 active
students in the program (enrolled in a course within the last 3) terms.
Retrieved January 14, 2006 at: http://www.umuc.edu/ip/umucfacts_02.html
http://www.uni-oldenburg.de/zef/literat/eden0602.pdf (pg.1)
10. What is the tuition (per course or per year)?
Graduate Tuition Per Semester Hour is as followed:
Standard Masters Degree and Resident Teacher Certification Programs
Maryland residents
$353
Non-residents of Maryland
$575
Active –duty military and spouses-
$353
Retrieved January 14, 2006 at: http://www.umuc.edu/studserv/tuition/tuition_sp06_gr.html
Part II: The institution’s Web site (1 point each)
Critique the institution’s (or program’s) Web site, answering the following questions:
A. How would you rate the visual appeal of the site? What elements are visually appealing
and which aspects are less so?
The University of Maryland University College Web site’s layout and design seems very
user friendly and attractive. The content within the site is very adequate and appropriate for
persons considering enrollment in one of UMUC’s program. The text and graphics are legible.
There is a UMUC’s Quick Link page that downloads pages seamlessly in a matter of seconds.
The white background of each Webpage allows information seekers to read with ease. On a scale
of 1-5, I would give the visual aspects of the sight 4.5
B. Is the site easily navigable and well organized? Provide examples.
Navigation of the UMUC’s Web site is clear and concise because each page is well organized
and the hyperlinks function effectively. Upon arrival at the UMUC’s website there are several
distinctive categories to choose from. For example, when you click on the link for online
education, in a second, you are taken to a Webpage that provides information about graduate and
undergraduate online degrees and certificates. In addition, at the top of the homepage, there are
three triangular buttons that enables users of the site to easily search for information, request
information, visit the university’s library and log into Web Tycho. However, you cannot navigate
to the UMUC’s home page from the Web Tycho’s login area, because there is no site map or link
that is provided. This can be seen as a disadvantage.
C. Does the site contain sufficient information to answer questions 1-10 (above)? If not,
provide details.
The UMUC Web site provided the answers for all the questions. I did not have to use telephone
or email to access any of the required information.
D. What is the most positive aspect of the Web site?
The most positive aspect of UMUC’s Web site is the wealth of information it provides to its
users. Just about any question about the university could be answered, even if the user has to
type the question in the search area, you can be sure of a good answer. Also, the download time
of web pages is rather excellent.
E. What aspect of the site is most in need of improvement?
I think the Web Tycho’s login area is most in need of improvement. The exclusion of a site map
in Web Tycho or other links such as: UMUC Home or Search UMUC can be seen as a
disadvantage for viewers who may want to quickly access information on the home page or other
pages.