Happy 2017 to the entire LDT community! We are honored to have you as students in our online programs. This new year brings new and improved opportunities for learning, and for preparing for your next professional steps. We resolve to do our best to support your efforts to fulfill your educational goals. If you need information, guidance, or suggestions from us, please contact us immediately.
Course Registration Recap
The Spring 2017 term has started, and things are starting off well. The LDT program is offering nine online courses this term. We’re excited about the complete revamping and re-launch of Dr. Gabriela Richard’s EDTEC 561 course that explores the assessment of the impact of technology on learning. Overall, some of our courses reached their capacity by the end of October 2016, which reinforces the importance of registering for your next courses well in advance. Other courses were full before Thanksgiving. The trend is that the courses that fill first are the courses included in the Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Educational Technology Integration. The few openings that remained at the start of the term were in the courses that apply only to the M.Ed. in LDT degree.
Late Drop and Tuition Adjustment Schedule
Students who drop or swap courses prior to January 15, 2017, are able to receive a 100% refund of their tuition. Any drops after that time incur a “tuition adjustment”. See the Registrar’s Tuition Adjustment Schedule.
LionPATH offers a course “swap” option—which allows you to drop one course and add another course in one action. The swap also protects your seat in the course that you’re hoping to drop, releasing that seat only when you’ve been successfully enrolled in the desired course. Once you successfully swap or drop out of a course you will be subject to the wait list for that course if you attempt to re-enter it, so proceed with caution. Instructions and tutorials about course swaps in LionPATH are on the Registrar’s FAQ page (at the bottom).
New Student Info Page
Our New Student Info page covers the basics that new students need to know when they start their studies with us. Recent questions that we’ve received that are covered in the New Student Info include how to access the online course, how to find the required textbook information for a course, and how to order textbooks.
Master’s Degree Student Reminders
Master’s degree students have additional requirements and responsibilities to fulfill in the course of completing their M.Ed. in LDT degree with us. Here are the most common oversights:
- Activating Intent to Graduate on LionPATH — Students who believe that they will complete all degree requirements at the end of the term must activate their intent to graduate at the beginning of the term. That means that anyone who plans to complete their degree and graduate in May 2016 must activate their intent to graduate now.
- Complete the SARI Training — The SARI Training is offered in the fall and spring terms. The training can be completed anytime after the student is formally admitted into the master’s degree program, and must be completed prior to graduation. If you’re a master’s degree student who has not yet completed the SARI training, please sign-up for one of the two Spring 2017 offerings. The SARI Training will not be offered during the summer term.
- Plan ahead for your Capstone Portfolio — The capstone portfolio may be due prior to graduation, but starting early to plan and develop the portfolio will make the process much more insightful and pleasant. Be sure to communicate with your advisor well in advance to learn their expectations and their timelines.
We’re glad to be entering a new year of higher learning with you. Have a great term!
