U.VA.'S CURRY SCHOOL GOES INTERNATIONAL, OFFERING ONLINE COURSES TO COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES AROUND THE GLOBE CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Sept. 3 -- In what is believed to be a first in higher education, the University of Virginia's Curry School of Education this fall will deliver Internet-based courses that colleges and universities can offer as their own credit courses and schools can use as in-service training for teachers. Participating schools say the greatest benefit to obtaining the Web-based instruction is not the savings associated with gaining quality instruction for a small price, but the richness of diverse viewpoints gained from linking current and future educators throughout North America and overseas. About 300 students are expected to enroll in the courses at 11 colleges and universities and 10 school districts in North America and Norway. Three courses, "Teaching Across the Content Areas," "Standards of Learning and Assessment" and "Using Technology to Solve Problems in Schools," will be delivered to faculty, teachers, aides and school administrators at the sites. Promotes Problem-Solving Skills Called "CaseNET," the set of courses is offered in a case-based format designed to build problem-solving skills and promote interdisciplinary teaching in elementary, middle and high schools. Similar to the approaches used in business, law and medicine, the cases portray scenarios that occur in culturally diverse classrooms. Students gain practice in employing educational theory and practical knowledge in addressing real-life classroom situations. "No one institution can prepare teachers for all the problems they may encounter in their classrooms, but the cases expose enrollees to multiple situations involving students of diverse educational and ethnic backgrounds," said Joanne Herbert, assistant professor of education who is one of two faculty leading a team of Curry School faculty and graduate students developing the Internet case-based instruction. New Field Experience For those who are already teaching, the courses provide "a new kind of field experience. Teachers gain electronic connections to people worldwide. This is a break-through in the wealth of experience that can be provided as in-service training," said Robert McNergney, a professor of education, and the other team leader. Although CaseNET is delivered via the World Wide Web, video conferencing, electronic discussion groups and e-mail, it is not impersonal. Students meet at designated times at physical locations, where instructors guide their work. The colleges, universities and schools that purchase the courses can customize them to meet their students' needs by requiring completion of varied reading materials and projects. College and university students can earn undergraduate or graduate credit for the courses, and teachers and school administrators can take CaseNET for in-service credit to satisfy recertification requirements. Students earn credit by registering either with U.Va. or their home institutions. Teachers can enroll in their school districts. "As an example, the University of Dayton can use its course titles and charge its tuition once it pays the Curry School a fee for the CaseNET offering," McNergney noted. He and Herbert teach the course with the assistance of faculty at the participating higher education institutions and teachers and administrators at the private and public K-12 schools in the participating districts. In addition to the Chicago, IL, school district, school systems in Virginia participating in CaseNet include Danville and Lynchburg plus Albemarle, Amherst, Chesterfield, Fairfax, Greene, Henrico and Warren counties. Among the higher education institutions using CaseNET are the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Hampton University and the University of Northern Iowa. Costs U.Va. in-state students and Virginia teachers pay $399 per each three-credit course. Out-of state students, both current and prospective teachers, pay $588 per three-credit course. Teachers who take the course for professional development only (no credit) pay $350 per course. Instructors who lead the courses at the participating college, university and school sites do not need prior Internet experience. CaseNET provides tutorials on how to navigate the Web and electronic course sites. Instructors are given passwords that allow them to access teaching notes, suggestions on analyzing cases and tips on leading on-site and electronic discussions. In addition, instructors who use the courses complete Curry School training sessions. During the first week of class, photographs of students will be posted electronically to give participants a sense of knowing their colleagues at other sites. Once they begin analyzing cases, students will post their case-solving suggestions on the Web, promoting consideration of differing viewpoints. Electronic videoconferences held throughout the semester will allow discussions about the cases among faculty, teachers, administrators and students at participating schools or institutions. Near the end of the course, students will participate in a case-solving contest. They will also create case-based projects that can be used with their students or colleagues. Virtual Library CaseNET will provide participants with an electronic library. Curry School librarian Kay Cutler will serve as "virtual librarian" by directing inquirers to resources on the Internet and in libraries. By offering courses through the latest in technology, the Curry School faculty believe they are encouraging teachers to incorporate technology in their instruction and problem-solving. "This is the most exciting teaching I've done," reflects Herbert, who has been teaching for more than 20 years. The Curry School faculty acknowledge that there are occasionally glitches in technology that hamper electronic discussion. "Limited bandwidth on the Internet sometimes affects the quality of the videoconferences. We've learned that the on-site instructors have to be flexible in case the technology doesn't deliver," McNergney said. McNergney and Herbert, who started developing Web-based instruction in 1995, have received funding from The Hitachi Foundation and AT&T to create CaseNET. The Curry School offered its first Internet-based course in spring, 1996. Established in 1905, U.Va.'s education school is nationally recognized for its leadership in integrating technology and teaching. ### Sept. 2, 1997 For an example of the general format of the courses, visit the web site, http://casenet.edschool.virginia.edu. For more information, contact Robert McNergney at (804) 924-0749 or via rfm@virginia.edu or Joanne Herbert at (804) 924-0757 or via jmh8j@virginia.edu. Television reporters should call our TV News Office at (804) 924-7550. CASENET FACT SHEET Participants Colleges and Universities University of Calgary Dakota State University University of Dayton Fairmont State College Hampton University University of Minnesota at Duluth North Georgia College University of Northern Iowa University of Nebraska at Omaha University of Virginia University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire School Districts Albemarle County, Virginia Amherst County, Virginia Chesterfield County, Virginia Chicago, Illinois Danville, Virginia Fairfax County, Virginia Greene County, Virginia Henrico County, Virginia Lynchburg, Virginia Warren County, Virginia Costs $399 per three-credit course for U.Va. in-state students and Virginia teachers $588 per three-credit course for out-of-state students $350 for professional development (no credit) for teachers Advantages of Internet-Based Instruction ¥ Enrollees are exposed to diverse viewpoints and cultural experiences through the cases and on-going electronic discussions. ¥ Schools gain a new, engaging type of field experience for their teachers, aides and administrators. ¥ The technology fuels a new kind of collegiality, uniting school teachers and administrators, university and college faculty and students. ¥ It encourages a collaborative approach to problem-solving. ¥ Schools and institutions can learn how to prepare multi-media cases and create their own cases in the future. ¥ The discussions about the cases allow the public to understand the breadth of issues confronting teachers today Disadvantages of Internet-Based Instruction ¥ Participating organizations must have direct connections to the Internet. ¥ Limitations in bandwidth sometimes diminish quality of audio and video transmissions.