History of the MDE Program
The Master of Distance Education program was launched in January 2000. The program is a partnership between the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) and the Center for Lifelong Learning (C3L) at Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg. The program has been offered since then in a fully online asynchronous mode in web-based virtual classroom. The student population attending the MDE program is composed of working adults, from distinct professional backgrounds including corporate training, military, higher-education and K-12.
The MDE was developed in response to a recognition of the significant necessity for professional training in the field of distance education in the late 90s. At the time of its inception there were very few formal opportunities for faculty and professionals in higher education institutions, government, and industry to develop comprehensive knowledge of and skills in distance education. Several institutions that offer distance education programs also provide faculty development, but these programs do not have formal recognition and often cover only select technologies and skills. Most distance educators learn to develop and deliver courses through a ‘trial-and-error’ method, while getting advice from more experienced colleagues or support from their IT departments. They do this with almost no background in distance education theory, pedagogical models, or exposure to examples of good practice.
Through an analysis of the field, two critical needs emerged and are still valid:
The MDE was developed in response to a recognition of the significant necessity for professional training in the field of distance education in the late 90s. At the time of its inception there were very few formal opportunities for faculty and professionals in higher education institutions, government, and industry to develop comprehensive knowledge of and skills in distance education. Several institutions that offer distance education programs also provide faculty development, but these programs do not have formal recognition and often cover only select technologies and skills. Most distance educators learn to develop and deliver courses through a ‘trial-and-error’ method, while getting advice from more experienced colleagues or support from their IT departments. They do this with almost no background in distance education theory, pedagogical models, or exposure to examples of good practice.
Through an analysis of the field, two critical needs emerged and are still valid:
- The need for an educational program in which new distance educators can develop a broader perspective of the general foundations of distance education and learn critical knowledge and skills in the field.
- The need for a global perspective among distance educators so that they can benefit from the knowledge of how other institutions approach distance education and solve problems, particularly in cross-border and cross-cultural contexts.
Time Line of Collaboration Between the MDE and C3L- Oldenburg
This timeline relates some of the highlights of the partnership between UMUC and the Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg. Some of the high points shown here include the EDEN conferences in Paris and Budapest, the publish dates for the ASF series of MDE textbooks and the EFMD-CEL accreditation. This slide is courtesy of Dr. Thomas Hülsmann, Center for Lifelong Learning (C3L) Carl von Ossietzky.
