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Distance Education
The Payson Center for International Development offers a variety of graduate level courses that can be completed anywhere in the world. A graduate student can take up to 100% of his or her program. Updated every semester, our core courses focus on sustainable human development, (SHD), economics, and conflict and disaster management, and are available on CD-ROM and/or Blackboard. Faculty uses a variety of other technologies and approaches to ensure effective material delivery and easy faculty and student interaction.
Blackboard (BB) is one of those technologies. BB is used as the main tool to post general instructions, notes, homework, exams, substantial research paper (SRP) material and any other information related to courses. Communication areas within BB permit students to interact with each other. These discussions are of two types: open ended and topic specific.
For open ended discussions, students use the BB “Student Forum” to post any question, comment or idea that they wish to discuss. The Instructor makes an occasional comment, but mostly it is the students who exchange ideas.
For topic specific communications, students will be asked to post contributions to the discussion board, email, or other area within BB. Topics will be based upon specific questions and themes, and will count towards a portion of the grade. Normally the discussion is time bound. The instructor actively participates in the discussion. For example, for the Spring 2008 IDEV 610 Introduction to Economics, one area of discussion was the emerging US/global financial crisis, economic recession, and the possible impact on developing countries. Responses are posted to BB, and available for class member and instructor comment. Graded materials are transmitted via email to ensure privacy.
Not limited to BB, several professors hold weekly class discussions with the use of the web communication free-ware, Skype. After consultation with class participants, faculty and students meet for a real-time distance classes. Participation is not compulsory; however, most participate regularly and enjoy the discussion opportunities therein. The usual agenda for Skype is homework, readings, SRP, exams, and other issues that the instructor or students wish to raise that relate to the course.
PEDAGOGY: OPPORTUNITIES, PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES
Students who for various reasons are unable to attend classes on the Tulane campus have to rely on the distance format. Even those who are in New Orleans appreciate the flexibility this format provides. Continuing education and students seeking career enhancement find it possible to continue a full time career while pursuing a graduate degree.
While software challenges have been reported, students who are able handle the usual software packages such as Excel find it easier to cope with the distance format. For example, drawing graphs for the Economics class require these basic skills. Of course, those with emerging skills are provided ample opportunity to gain experience and skill. The distance method provides even more scope than conventional classes to develop writing, because much of the “discussion” takes place via the written word.
For those students opting for the exclusively distance format, Skype and BB class forums help to overcome the absence of face-to-face interaction with instructor. In participating in classes in this unconventional classroom setting, students have to be very motivated to complete work in a timely manner. Perseverance and due diligence make for successful completion of the program.
