Get down on it! Enroll in Summer 2013 classes today!

IDT Students (and IDT alumni who need some professional development – yeah, I talking to you!):
 
Get down on it and enroll for your Summer 2013 courses!
Things are changing at ESU – for the better.  Our semi-new president Dr. Michael Shonrock is brilliant and full of energy. 

However, just like the new sheriff in town, there are some new rules for summer class enrollments.  These new minimum enrollments will assure that resources go where they are needed.
 
So, what does this mean for our IDT classes?  Although the formula is more complex than solving the US budget deficit, the ballpark enrollment number that we need for each graduate IDT class ranges from 8 to 11 (depending upon the rank and seniority of the faculty member).
 
When will we decide which classes make and which don’t?
On or around May 1st  - at that time, we will determine which courses have the best chance of being offered and courses may be cancelled.
 
What can you do to help?
Go ahead and get enrolled, as soon as possible!
 
Download Summer/Fall 2013 course offering flyers from - http://www.emporia.edu/idt/courseinfo.html
Search the class schedule here - http://www.emporia.edu/regist/schedule/
(You can even drill down to see the current enrollment)
You may enroll via Buzzin or by calling Distance Education at 877-332-4249 or 620-341-5385
 
So, GET DOWN ON IT!

Starts March 11 - Free MOOC-Project Management for Instructional Designers

Our free IDT MOOC - Project Management for Instructional Designers - begins March 11 (until May 10). The instructor for the MOOC is Dr. Rob Gibson, ESU's Associate CIO for Academic Technology and User Services. This is our first attempt at offering a MOOC, so I hope you can join us for this exciting FREE course offering and give us some feedback!
To gain access, go to - https://canvas.instructure.com/enroll/MWABMD
Try it out, you might like it!

Course Description -
“Project Management for Instructional Designers,” is designed for students with little or no background in formal project management.  It provides an introductory examination of the primary components involved with Project Management: Developing a Project Charter; Developing the Project Scope; Developing the Work Breakdown Structure;  Developing Critical Path and Gantt Charts; Determining Project Risks; Determining Project Success Criteria; Developing the Project Organization Chart; and Communicating the Project to the Organization.  Our goal is to understand what is involved in complex instructional design projects involving multiple personnel, such as graphic designers, video production specialists, subject matter experts, pedagogy specialists, web developers, accessibility specialists, programmers, multimedia developers, and other key personnel.

Study Abroad Opportunities for ESU IDT Students and Alumni

How about going overseas this summer?
At the link below you will find some summer study abroad opportunities and continuing education opportunities for those of you who are already in the workforce.
http://www.emporia.edu/oie/study-abroad/summer-programs.html
I HIGHLY recommend the CHINA study abroad with my colleague Dr. Luo.  He has conducted this for several years and has even scored $425 pay, free meals, and housing for teaching at the university.
Feel free to contact Dr. Luo for more information.

Chinese Education and Culture Experience
Dates:     May 17-June 09, 2013
Credits:     3 credits
Course:    ED343ZB: 3 undergraduate credit
                 ED743XK: 3 graduate credit hours

Program Description:   
This course provides an opportunity for ESU undergraduate and graduate students to learn about the education and culture in China and to experience the dynamics of globalization and international diversity. The content of the course prepares the students with skills of learning and teaching as a dynamic process and knowledge of ever changing educational needs of students living in a global society (The Teachers College Conceptual Framework).  China, a major player of international economy in the 21st century, not only upholds one of the world's oldest and most complex cultures, but also provides education to the largest population in the entire global society. The students will experience firsthand the education, culture, and society system in China by participating in lectures and seminars on Chinese education and culture, practicing English teaching in the Chinese classroom, visiting schools, and having field trips to the historical/cultural sites. In addition, the students will have opportunities to get involved in the local cultural events, and communicate and exchange ideas with Chinese scholars, students, and  local educators.

Methods and Activities: Lectures and seminars, classroom teaching, school and family visits, field, historical and cultural trips, Local Events and Culture Involvement.

Estimated Cost:   
The host university will offer each student:
A stipend of $425 for teaching,
Free meals on campus cafeteria for the teaching period (three weeks)
Free housing with air-conditioning and bathroom for the teaching period (three weeks)
Possibly free local traveling and sightseeing around Guangzhou area at weekends.
Students are responsible for $2,747 for the costs (estimated) of the program, including:

Round-trip airfare
Passport and visa fee
Health insurance
Tickets for cultural events or site visits if necessary
Local transportation
Immunization
Other additional personal expenses
(*) estimated amount and subject to change based upon airfare)

Not included in the program cost:
ESU tuition for 3 credits

For more information:    Dr. Mingchu (Neal) Luo
Department of School Leadership and Middle/Secondary Teacher Education
The Teachers College (VH 205, Box 4037)
Emporia State University
Phone: 620-341-5835

IDT Spring Kick-off Luncheon

IDT students, alumni, and friends in the Emporia area! (And of course any of our distance students who wish to travel many miles to lovely Emporia, KS for a covered dish luncheon).

You are invited to our IDT Spring 2013 Kick-off Luncheon!
12 p.m. (Noon), Friday, January 25th
Macintosh Lab, Visser Hall 22

Bring a favorite covered dish to share with IDT faculty, staff, students, alumni, and other IDT friends. It’s a chance to catch-up with your professors and instructors and make connections with other IDT students and alumni!

Not sure what to bring?  Try a meat dish, vegetable or fruit dishes, salads, chips & dip, cookies, various types of desserts, beverages, etc.  International dishes are ALWAYS appreciated! - YUM! Please bring serving utensils for your dish.

IDT will provide the plates, silverware, cups,  napkins & ice.  If you plan to attend, please send an RSVP to jschneid@emporia.edu, just so we know how many to expect.

March 11 to May 10 - Project Management for Instructional Designers

We just added a new course offering for Spring 2013 - Project Management for Instructional Designers - IT743XD. The 3 credit hour graduate course will be offered via an 8-week (March 11 to May 10) massive open online course (MOOC) using the hot new learning management system - Canvas. The instructor for the course will be Dr. Rob Gibson, ESU's Associate CIO for Academic Technology and User Services.  I hope you can join us for this exciting course offering!

Course Description -
“Project Management for Instructional Designers,” is designed for students with little or no background in formal project management.  It provides an introductory examination of the primary components involved with Project Management: Developing a Project Charter; Developing the Project Scope; Developing the Work Breakdown Structure;  Developing Critical Path and Gantt Charts; Determining Project Risks; Determining Project Success Criteria; Developing the Project Organization Chart; and Communicating the Project to the Organization.  Our goal is to understand what is involved in complex instructional design projects involving multiple personnel, such as graphic designers, video production specialists, subject matter experts, pedagogy specialists, web developers, accessibility specialists, programmers, multimedia developers, and other key personnel.

AECT elections are underway

IDT students/alumni who are members of AECT!
2013 AECT elections have begun.  I hope you will take some time select those individuals who will lead our organization at the divisional, board, and executive levels.  Candidate bios and statements are available for your perusal.

Once you have reviewed the candidates, voting is as easy as 1 - 2 - 3:

1. Go to http://aectorg.yourwebhosting.com/election/ 
2. Log in with your AECT member number and password (Last Name)
3. Make your selections

Vote early (but not often). This is an AECT election, not a Chicago election :)

Help IDT at the ESU Graduate Opportunities Fair - Sept. 13

On September 13, 2012  ESU’s Graduate School will host a graduate fair on the ESU campus at 3:30 p.m. (Central).  You know the story, a bunch of tables hosted by less-than-thrilled,  graduate faculty members (probably wearing jackets with elbow patches) from various programs, standing at tables.  Zzzzzzz - Boring!  (IDT faculty members are the exception of course, and you all know that). 

But then I was thinking – The best way to tell everyone what our program has to offer is to highlight our IDT program students and alumni!  So, here’s what you can do:

1.       Login at http://connect.emporia.edu/gradfair2012/    and join us with your webcams and headset/microphones – and help us tell the ESU IDT story to the visitors to our table!

or

2.       Plan a trip to Emporia and join us at the fair, in person! (Webb Hall, Memorial Union)

Whichever method you choose, September 13^th will be YOUR opportunity to help us recruit more outstanding and award-winning students and alumni….just like YOU! 

(More info. at our IDT Facebook, Ning, and NEW ITSA Facebook page)