Moncton – Crandall University’s Faculty of Education has announced that graduate studies will be available online going forward, making programs accessible to more teachers throughout the province.
The move to synchronous online delivery of Crandall’s Master of Education programs makes it possible for educators to complete coursework that will not only increase their effectiveness in the classroom, but will also make them eligible to apply for advanced certification.
Courses are now offered online via Microsoft Teams, which provides opportunities for collaboration and community even from a distance: “I am excited for this new change in the MEd program at Crandall,” stated Dr. Cathlene Hillier, Assistant Professor of Education and coordinator for the MEd program. “I enjoy teaching in Microsoft Teams and have had MEd students tell me that they appreciated learning the different functions that can be utilized to foster competencies such as collaboration, creativity, problem solving, and communication.”
Unlike other online degrees, Crandall’s MEd courses are fully synchronous, with students interacting, learning, and collaborating in real time: “The synchronous format of the online classes still fosters the collegiality among in-service teachers which has always been one of the strengths of Crandall’s program,” Dr. Hillier continued. “This adjustment allows students to do the same thing without having to travel.”
Lisa Anderson, a Resource Teacher at Dalhousie Regional High School said the following: “Being able to pursue my Master’s degree has been a goal but the idea of travelling and being away from my family has been an obstacle. Receiving the news that Crandall University is now offering a synchronous online Master’s degree that will enable me to apply for a New Brunswick Teacher’s Certificate VI is an opportunity that I am pleased and excited for. Completing a master’s degree and learning more about Microsoft Teams which is used daily in our schools is also something that will further help me when working with students and colleagues.”
Dr. Hillier’s hope for this move is to see teachers able to respond to more student needs in school: “Our goal in the MEd program is always to work with school districts to help in-service teachers continue their education and improve classroom practice,” she said. “This new format provides more flexibility for teachers to pursue further education and to possibly fill a need for teachers with advanced training in Inclusionary Practices or Literacy.”
