Introduction

This one semester graduate credit workshop is sponsored by the North Dakota Geographic Alliance (NDGA) and is open to North Dakota K-12 teachers and others who desire workshop credit for preparing a North Dakota Geographic Alliance Magazine article. This workshop is a self-paced and self-directed workshop and is offered on an open enrollment basis, meaning you can enroll at any time and work according to your schedule. However, you are requested to enroll prior to beginning activities for which you intend to earn credit. You will have up to six months after your enrollment to complete the workshop requirements. If you have questions about whether a specific article idea is appropriate please contact one of the workshop instructors or the North Dakota Geographic Alliance Office (phone 1-800-235-1948 or e-mail toni.schwartz@minotstateu.edu) prior to your enrollment. See enrollment form for costs.

You do need to be an NDGA member to enroll. If you are not a current NDGA member you may establish or renew your membership by paying the $25 annual NDGA membership fee. As an NDGA member you will receive the quarterly North Dakota Geographic Alliance Magazine, the Dakota Alliance newsletter, and NDGA election notices and ballots. Membership will also entitle you to run for NDGA Board positions and to participate in all NDGA sponsored programs at the NDGA member rate.

North Dakota Geographic Alliance Magazine

North Dakota Geographic Alliance Magazine articles relate to North Dakota places and regions, North Dakota physical systems, North Dakota human systems, North Dakota environments and societies, North Dakota uses of Geography, and/or North Dakota geography education programs. Or articles describe how North Dakota K-12 and/or college and university students learn (or can learn) to ask geographic questions, acquire geographic information, organize geographic information, analyze geographic information, and/or answer geographic questions. Authors may be K-12 students, college or university students, teachers, parents, youth leaders, or anyone else who has a suitable article idea and ability. For the purpose of enrolling in this workshop you will need to be a college graduate with a good article idea. Back issues of the North Dakota Geographic Alliance Magazine may be observed at several North Dakota public libraries including many school, college, and university libraries. North Dakota Geographic Alliance Magazine submission information may be obtained at www.ndgamagazine.org

Instructor and Institution Options

When you enroll you may select the institution and workshop prefix you prefer. The workshop is available through Minot State University using an Education 590 workshop number, through North Dakota State University using an Education 600 workshop number and through UND using a Geography 900 workshop number. Workshop requirements and expectations are the same regardless of which institution and workshop number you select. Also, please be aware that regardless of which institution and workshop prefix you select, on-line assignment pages for this on-line workshop will be hosted on a Minot State University server (i.e. Minot State University On-Line will be identified on the workshop homepage for each option).

Also, when you enroll the NDGA Office will assign one of the three workshop instructors based on instructor availability. If your preferred instructor is available any instructor preference you indicate will be honored. The three instructors are: Dr. Eric Clausen, North Dakota Geographic Alliance Director (eric.clausen@minotstateu.edu); Dr. Paul Meartz, Mayville State University Liberal Arts Division (paul_meartz@mail.masu.nodak.edu), and Dr. Douglas Munski, University of North Dakota Department of Geography (douglas_munski@und.nodak.edu). All three instructors have been approved to offer the workshop by all three universities. Usually you will be assigned to an instructor who can attend the same professional development conference you do.

When you have enrolled, and your instructor assignment has been made, you will receive instructions on how to proceed, communicate with your instructor and access the workshop assignments as briefly outlined below. Normally all communications with your instructor, including the submission of all assignments, will be handled via e-mail. You and your instructor may work out alternate communication options if needed .

Workshop Assignments and Grading

This is a self-paced and self-directed workshop. The instructor role is to simply observe and verify your progress. The workshop includes the following required and optional assignments (and/or expectations) and will be graded using letter grades (check the S/U workshop list for S/U grading). Points assigned to each assignment are listed below. Three points will be awarded if you satisfactorily complete the assignment. Two points will be awarded if you satisfactorily complete part of the assignment. One (or zero) points will be awarded if you fail to complete most or all of the assignment. Thirty (30) points are possible. 27 or more points will be an A. 24-26 points will be a B. 21-23 points will be a C. 18-20 points will be a D. 17 or fewer points will be an F. Within reason you will be allowed to repeat an assignment should you need to do so.

a. (3 points) The workshop enrollee has developed a plan to prepare a North Dakota Geographic Alliance Magazine article related to geography, geography learning skills, and/or geography teaching skills.

b. (3 points) The workshop enrollee has presented a short professional development plan (pertinent to her/his present situation and/or long term objectives).

c. (3 points) The stated professional development goals include developing geography and/or geography content knowledge, learning skills, and/or teaching skills.

d. (3 points) Information is provided showing why preparing a North Dakota Geographic Alliance Magazine article will help advance the stated professional development goals.

e. (3 points) The workshop enrollee has an article topic that will address her/his professional development goals.

f. (3 points) The North Dakota Geographic Alliance Magazine article, when submitted, is related to geography content, geography learning skills, and/or geography teaching skills.

g. (3 points) The North Dakota Geographic Alliance Magazine article, when submitted, is ready for publication (i.e. text is of appropriate length and format, text has been edited, suitable illustrations are provided, credit and/or permission cited/obtained as needed)

h. (3 points) Page proofs are promptly read and returned with needed corrections clearly indicated.

i. (3 points) A 500-1000 word reflective essay describing the workshop experience has been submitted.

j. (3 points) The reflective essay demonstrates how the workshop experience advanced the enrollee's professional development objectives.

HOW TO ENROLL:

To enroll in this workshop please print and mail the printable enrollment form with appropriate payment to the North Dakota Geographic Alliance, Minot State University, Minot, ND 58707. Questions about enrollment may be directed to Toni Schwartz, North Dakota Geographic Alliance Administrative Assistant (phone 1-800-235-1948, e-mail toni.schwartz@minotstateu.edu).

Access Geography Education Article Writing Workshop (Letter Grade Option) Enrollment Form