6/4/2010. Pre PreSLP Program

Transcription

1 La Salle University s PreSLP Program: Myths vs. Reality... The PreSLP Program Pre PreSLP Program The Master s Program at La Salle was first accredited in 2003 More than 1500 potential students inquired about our program Many did not have the necessary prerequisites it to pursue a master s in Speech-Language Pathology Many of the students were working professionals and could not go to school during the day. How We Began The project was funded by a private foundation Hired an Instructional Designer, Juliet Fink, Ed.M 11 courses were identified as key prerequisites The Instructional Designer worked with full-time faculty to adapt face-to-face undergraduate courses to an online format. Faculty was compensated for their time and efforts in developing courses. Why the PreSLP Program is a Successful Online Program The Niche: Few schools offered these courses online The Program: We could start programmatically by offering a suite of 11 courses. The Market Demand: The field desperately needs qualified applicants The Student Population: looking for these courses tend to be older, are working full-time, have families, and needed flexibility. What do we mean by Online Courses? BlackBoard Allows Online Courses to Have: Multiple Modes of Communication Restricted access Tests and Quizzes PPT, Word, Websites, PDFs Assignment Dropbox Gradebook Video and audio. Hyperlinks to the Web. 1

2 Some Novel Approaches Faculty are integrating Black Board with some interesting tools Using Wimba, Wikis,social network tools like Google.wave and collaborative at sites like Google.doc web site Growing By Leaps and Bounds We ve gone from 4 to 155 PreSLP students in five years. We ve sold 882 credits this semester alone; 3 of these credits were taken by one of our graduate students. We have had students from many states including NY, CA, AZ and abroad. My How We ve Grown! Semester # Courses Credits Sold Spring Summer Fall Spring Summer Fall Spring Summer Fall Spring Summer Fall Spring Summer Fall Spring Totals: Growth in courses 2

3 Growth in credit hours Change in use of faculty AY AY AY AY AY AY The PreSLP Program has helped the University Only 2 courses online The SLP faculty had little online experience The University had no training or materials for developing or teaching completely online 11 PreSLP courses fully online with multiple sections Faculty have online teaching experience and ENJOY it Faculty must complete fully online training program to teach in PreSLP 6615 PreSLP credits sold since Spring 05 A waiting list of students ready to start taking PreSLP courses Eye to the Future Maintain and Enhance Quality Address Faculty Constraints New Technology We believe the PreSLP program offers a pathway to become an SLP for non- traditional students Helping to address the critical shortage of SLPs Survey of former PreSLP Short survey conducted via in Fall 2009 Survey sent to 243 former PreSLP students Recipients were students enrolled in PreSLP previously but not enrolled in Fall 2009 Forty-five recipients completed survey 20% response rate 3

4 After leaving La Salle University s PreSLP program, did you continue your studies in Speech-Language-Pathology? 64.4% Yes 35.6% No If yes, have you earned a graduate degree in Speech-Language- Pathology? 17.8% Yes 82.2% No (note: most respondents indicated they were currently enrolled in a graduate program in Speech-Language-Pathology) If yes, where did you earn this degree? Pennsylvania State University NOVA Southeastern University Walden University California State University/Northridge University of Maryland/College Park La Salle University Montclair State University Northern Arizona University If yes, are you now certified or do you plan to be certified by the American Speech-Language- Hearing Association? 53.3% Yes 46.7% No Are you currently working in the field of Speech- Language-Pathology? 40.0% Yes 60.0% No Survey questions and responses If you are currently working in the field of Speech-Language-Pathology, which setting are you working in? Early Intervention 15.8% School age population 73.7 % Private Practice 5.3% Other 5.3% If you are working currently in the field of Speech-Language-Pathology, which population are you working with? Birth to three early intervention Elementary school Middle school High functioning Autism and Aspergers Latino population High school special education If you are not currently working or pursuing studies in Speech-Language-Pathology, why not? Family/day care issues prevent attendance in graduate school at this time; Cost factors of graduate school Pursued different field 4

5 How did you view the preparation you received at La Salle University s PreSLP program while you were enrolled? Themes of Responses: Learned a great deal Program well-delivered and flexible Great overview about the field Online courses were great experience Some courses too didactic/not practical enough Online format too challenging Fantastic. I learned more than I ever imagined and the professors s were e so welcoming! I thought it was a great experience. "I loved the format. I am prepared for grad school and beyond due to the great preparation from La Salle." "I was at first nervous about taking courses online, but they turned out to be a great experience. Very well - thank you! Just wish you offered more pre - req SLP classes on line and in fact even a graduate on line program!!! Maybe one day, eh? Thanks to online I could fulfill my dreams. Wish it could have been with La Salle all the way as the professors and students were first class! Thanks for the experience! The online format gave me the chance to complete the pre-reqs necessary for admission to grad school. I had the tools to be successful and am now using them to pursue my educational and professional goals. 5