MACUL

I just wanted folks to know that I will be at the MACUL conference this Wednesday (March 18th) through Friday (March 20th) at booth 814 in the exhibit hall. I will be working a booth for the University of Michigan-Dearborn, sharing information about our online Educational Technology endorsement program as well as other graduate programs we offer. My colleague Dr. Mesut Duran will be working the booth at times as well so stop by and see us if you happen to be attending the conference.

I should also point out that there will be a Higher Education Reception held at the Detroit Science Center on Thursday, March 19th for all MACUL participants. This reception is a great way to meet with representatives from a variety of colleges and universities from around the state of Michigan in order to learn more about the graduate programs they offer. You will also get a chance to tour the science center, which is a nice bonus. The reception is being held from 7:30-10:00.

Online Educational Technology Endorsement

The University of Michigan-Dearborn, where I am employed as an Assistant Professor of Educational Technology, now offers a completely online Masters in Education with Educational Technology (NP) Endorsement. If you don't want the Masters you can just do the endorsement, again completely online. The Masters with Endorsement consists of 3 core classes and 7 educational technology classes for a total of 30 credits.

Our emphasis in the endorsement program is on helping teachers learn how to teach effectively with technology across the curriculum. We aren't just interested in helping people learn how to use tools but instead we are focused on helping them develop effective strategies for integrating technology in meaningful ways so that they can provide enhanced learning experiences for their students. We also stress the use of technology for assessment and differentiated instruction and, in accordance with the new online learning requirements for high school graduates in the state of Michigan (and in other states in the near future), we have two classes devoted to the design and development of online learning. You can see the kinds of things our students produce by looking at a few of their e-portfolios (Student 1, Student 2, Student 3).

Many of our students have taken up technology leadership positions in their districts as a result of their completion of our program. Our students have taken positions as Technology Coordinators, led technology related professional development at the school and district level, been asked to serve on hiring committees for new technology administrators and have been requested to pilot and review new technologies for their respective schools and districts. This endorsement and Masters isn't just for teachers in Michigan either so don't let that stop you from inquiring further about the program. Please feel free to contact me (sbrunvan@umd.umich.edu) with any questions you may have about the program. We would love to have you join the University of Michigan community.