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 attending a geography or geography education professional development meeting or conference. 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 at least one month prior to attending your desired professional development conference. You will have up to six months after your enrollment to complete the workshop requirements.

This workshop is designed to provide workshop credit for North Dakota Geographic Alliance sponsored meetings and conferences, including professional development field trips. However, the workshop may be used to receive graduate credit for attendance at other professional development conferences, provided at least sixteen (16) hours of geography and/or geography education activities (appropriate as professional development activities for K-12 teachers) are offered. If you have questions about whether a specific conference is appropriate please contact 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.

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 500 workshop number, through North Dakota State University using an Education 600 workshop number, and through the University of North Dakota 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 on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. You must satisfactorily complete all of the required assignments to receive a satisfactory grade. Within reason you will be allowed to repeat an assignment should you need to do so.

a. (Required) The workshop enrollee has selected a professional development meeting with meeting activities related to geography content, geography learning skills, and/or geography teaching skills.

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

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

d. (Optional) Information is provided showing why attending the meeting will help advance the stated professional development goals.

e. (Optional) The workshop enrollee has selected and attended first and second choices of meeting activities that address her/his geography education related professional development goals.

f. (Required) The workshop enrollee has selected and attended meeting activities related to geography content, geography learning skills, and/or geography teaching skills.

g. (Optional) The workshop enrollee has submitted notes documenting attendance at 16 or more hours of meeting activities.

h. (Optional) The meeting notes are of sufficient detail to determine what professional development opportunities each meeting activity offered.

i. (Required) A 500-1000 word reflective essay describing the meeting experience has been submitted.

j. (Optional) The reflective essay demonstrates how the meeting experience advanced the workshop 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 Professional Development Meeting (S/U option) Enrollment Form