ME-PD Info Session
- 1. Master of Education-Professional Development Learning Community Program Never stop learning, growing, teaching! Institute for Professional Studies in Education University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
- 2. Introductions • Patricia A. Markos, Ph.D., CRC Director, ME-PD Learning Community (LC) • Margie Hylkema, ME-PD LC Assistant to the Director, Administrative Specialist • Sarah Dixen, M. Ed. Facilitator Development & Support Specialist • Cindy George, B.S. Learning Community Coordinator
- 3. What is a Learning Community? • A group of 10-25 graduate students who enroll together and become a learning community while completing a master’s degree. • The 30 credit (four semester) curriculum is both scaffolded and spiraled throughout the two years* that the students spend together. • The curriculum is based on the principles of constructivism, and the delivery is based on the theory of adult learning, which allows adult students to control their learning. * online delivery is 18 months
- 4. About the program . . . • The ME-PD Learning Community Program -Provides a two-year*(30 credit) graduate experience -Is for teachers and other individuals in education -Allows students to engage in study about their professional practice in a collaborative and learner directed environment * Online is 18 months
- 5. INSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL STUDIES IN EDUCATION (IPSE) ACADEMIC PROGRAM MODEL – SPRING 2012 FORWARD • PLC (Professional Learning Community) emphasis for all Learning Communities • Core ME-PD program focuses in depth on teaching pedagogy and leadership, or, choose a content specific area including: – English Language Arts – Global and Cultural Competency – Math
- 6. Who are our Students? • Educators from all areas of PK-16 education • Other professionals from other fields – DARE officers – Nurses – OTs/PTs – Rehabilitation professionals – Technical college instructors
- 7. Program Facts The ME-PD Learning Community Program has: • Been in existence since 1997 • Graduated over 3,000 educators with their ME-PD degree • Reached out to graduate students in 100 sites throughout the State of Wisconsin.
- 8. Program Facts The ME-PD Learning Community Program is: • A fully accredited master of education program that is designed for practicing educators. • A non-certification program. • Individually structured so that educators across a broad spectrum of fields find the curriculum applicable.
- 9. Curriculum (30 credits total) • Learning in Community (4 credits) • Educational Research (6 credits) • Best Practice Pedagogy (4 credits) • Curriculum Development & Assessment (4 credits) • Diversity, Democracy and Social Justice (4 credits) • Technology in Education (4 credits) • Teacher Leadership (4 credits)
- 10. Sample Weekend • New teaching concepts, technology tools, classroom practices, assessment strategies, classroom management strategies, etc. • Take learning from weekend and APPLY it into your work place! • Encourages reflection on practice so that educators think about not only what they are doing, but why. • Specialized breakouts and speakers based on chosen emphasis area.
- 11. Beyond Homework – Two Culminating Projects 1. Professional Portfolio- After writing a Professional Development Plan during the first and second semesters, each Learning Community student prepares a Professional Portfolio which demonstrates growth in the WI Teaching Standards, the National Board Professional Teaching Standards, the seven strands of the curriculum for the Learning Community program and content emphasis standards.
- 12. Beyond Homework – Action Research Cycles 1. Action Research Paper- • Students will engage in mini-action research cycles that align with their workplace or district goals throughout the program. • Students will write a full Review of the Literature based on a topic of their choice. This paper is submitted to UW-L for an external review. • Students will present on their area of expertise to a professional audience.
- 13. Assessment in ME-PD Program • Evidence-based assessment vs. traditional assessment • 3-pronged Process – Self + Peer + Faculty • Advisory Group • Job-alike Group • Benchmarks
- 14. When and Where Do Students Meet? • Traditional Face-to-Face Program – One weekend/month for two years – Saturday 8 am-4:30 pm & Sunday 8 am-3:30 pm – Do not meet face-to-face in June or July – All weekends held at designated locations EXCEPT your November weekend. November Conference held at UW-La Crosse
- 15. When and Where Do Students Meet? • Hybrid (Face-to-Face + Online) – Two face-to-face weekends a semester for two years – Face-to-face - Saturday 8 am-4:30 pm & Sunday 8 am-3:30 pm – Do not meet face-to-face in June or July – All learners attend the annual November Conference in La Crosse
- 16. When and Where Do Students Meet? • Online Learning Community – Three semesters fully online and 2 one-week summer institutes. Graduation in 18 months. – Typically summer institutes are at UW-La Crosse, but could be customized for a learning community with a base in a different geographical area.
- 17. Fall 2012 Sites • Face-to-Face – Baraboo; Madison; Milwaukee; Onalaska • Hybrid – Beloit; Menomonie; Sheboygan; Shawano • Online – Summer Institute July 23-27, 2012; July 22-26, 2013
- 18. Applying to Grad School • Complete online Graduate Application Form – http://apply.wisconsin.edu/ • $56 application fee • Request any/all transcripts – OFFICIAL only • Congratulations – you are enrolled!
- 19. Tuition & Fees • SPRING 2012 Face-to-Face: $438.42/credit Online & Hybrid: $474.75/credit • Book Costs $100-$200/Semester • Special Course Fee November Conference fee of $50 every Fall Semester for Face to Face and Hybrid
- 20. Financial Aid • Generous Financial Aid available • Graduate PLUS Loans • For all available financial aid options, visit: – www.uwlax.edu/finaid
- 21. FAQ’S • Do you have to be a teacher or currently teaching? – No. Although most learners in the ME-PD LC program are current teachers, it is not required. There have been numerous DARE police officers, technical school instructors , physical therapists, school nurses and others that have benefited from earning a master’s degree. Many assignments can be customized to meet your needs. A ME- PD degree does not grant teacher licensure. • How much work outside the weekends? – The work load varies and much of it is directly related to your workplace. Most of the work involves readings, reflections, and applying theory to your practice.
- 22. FAQ’S • Do I need a computer or Internet access? – Yes! You do need to bring a computer to class. • Who are the Graduate Faculty Facilitators? – Our Graduate Faculty Facilitators are ideally a combination of a master teacher that exhibits excellent teacher leadership skills and knowledge of current issues and a UW-L faculty with content and pedagogical expertise.
- 23. Questions? • For more information, request an informational packet: – lc@uwlax.edu – 1-877-812-7270 (toll-free) • To register, visit our web site: – www.MasterTeachersCommunity.org
- 24. Thank you! Never stop learning, growing, teaching!