Hellodoes anybody here has experience with either program? I'm interested in their Elementary Teacher programs (with licensure) Ultimately my goal is to become an ESL teacher. Thank you!Stefanie

Hi Stef - Be sure that you understand the learning process at WGU.  It's not for everyone.  Phoenix is OK but expensive.  Read this list:

http://programs.gradschools.com/distance/tesol_education.html

 

Stefanie, in what state do you plan to teach?

I plan to teach in Oregon.

OK, cool, just wondering. Have you peeked at the schools listed on http://www.tspc.state.or.us/programs.asp to see if they offer any master's degrees in education via distance learning?

Since I don't have a teaching license yet, there are only a few programs for me to consider.I read about WGU's competency based approach and I think I can see how they differ in their process of evaluation but I'm not clear on the differences in their learning process. Do you have any insights?thank youStef

Hi Stef,

Check out this great, really informative article about WGU: http://technologysource.org/article/renaissance_at_western_governors_university/. Like Kizmet said, WGU's competency-based approach is vastly different from your traditional credit-based model, meaning you don't earn an "arbitrary" number of credits before you are allowed to graduate. WGU is very unique in this regard and can be very appealing to some.

As for UOP, their learning model is also vastly different than the 16-week long, semester-based approach of most colleges and universities - classes begin each month (so you don't have to wait until the Fall semester to begin your studies) and are 5-6 weeks in length, taken one at a time. You go through the program as part of a cohort (or "learning group" or "learning team"), taking classes together and working on group assignments/projects together in smaller groups (3-4 people). Also, UOP tries to emphasize instructors as facilitators, rather than lecturers. They are part-time faculty who are usually chosen to teach because they have a great deal of professional experience, and are still active in their fields.

Hope that helps a little .... good night!

One last thing - here are interviews with WGU students ... it may give you a little more perspective, even though they are business students:

• Randy
  http://www.elearners.com/guide-to-online-education/western-governors-university-online-mba-randy.asp
  
  
• Henry http://www.elearners.com/guide-to-online-education/online-bachelor-degree-western-governors-university-henry.asp

I'm currently enrolled at WGU (school of business) and absolutely love the convenience and flexibility!  It's simply wonderful to be free of the tyranny of professors, cohorts, and seat-time!  However, as Helen has said, this is a completely different model and it is certainly not for everyone!  [Anyone who has the slightest aversion to a LOT of reading and a LOT of writing would be well advised to keep moving ;-)  WGU is not for you.]

That said, if you haven't do so already, go back to the website and print out the 11 page PDF file  'program guide for the MA in ELL.'  This will give you the best summary of the program - the competencies you'll take, a suggested sequence, and equivalent credit hours.  Note that each  competency will have a study plan similar to the traditional syllabus listing in detail the readings and assignments to prepare for the actual assessment.  The study plan for an objective assessment will be oriented toward the summative proctored exam, very much like the traditional, multiple-choice final exam to demonstrate you have the required facts and knowledge, the performance assessments are oriented around a step-by-step sequence of tasks to demonstrate that you have developed the necessary skills. Actually, I think these performance assessements are the ones that are going to challenge you the most and be the most rewarding  since they tend to take on real-world examples and simulations.  For example, you may be tasked with a reflective essay, a report, developing lesson plans or a multimedia presentation of a series of instruction modules.

http://www.wgu.edu/wgu/program_infor.asp?progID=349 

As a working professional, you'll appreciate the variety of learning resources.  It's not just the textbook and e-reserves anymore ;-)  There are plenty of resources freely accessible online, others that are password protected, multimedia CDs, even online courses.

Initially, everyone has to take EWOB  (Education without boundaries) - the WGU model, policies and procedures,  the tools and resources you'll use, the software and skills you'll use, etc.  In my opinion, this really is one of the keys to success as a student at WGU, the other is establishing rapport and working with your mentor.