I agree 100% with you Susan. I am an anthropologist from Portugal, Lisboa
and I am working for a municipal museum since 1991.
I wanted to enroll the distance learning program last year so I call them
and ask if I could visited them for short period of time last summer. I did
and was able to talk and get a insight from the other alumni. In my opinion
the Leicester distance learning im Museum Studies program is excellent.

Joaquim Jorge
Anthropologist &
Museum Assistant
Loures Municipal Museum
R. Joćo Villaret, 33 - 2D
1000-182 Lisboa
Portugal

[log in to unmask]
phone: 00351 96 5023362

>From: Susan Wageman <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: distance learning at Leicester
>Date: Tue, 1 May 2001 09:40:51 -0700
>
>Carolyn Collins wrote:
> > My personal concern with a long distance learning
> > program is the lack of critical thought. Attending a
> > program allows daily interaction with professionals -
> > their ideas and their continual challenges to your
> > point of view. I felt getting the MA was is some ways
> > like intellectual puberty. I realize with long
> > distance learning there is email etc connection to
> > tutors but the learning process is still too much you
> > & yourself. The exposure to others more learned and
> > their nudging you out of your comfort zone are where
> > the most growth for me occured on this degree.
>
>Both onsite and distance learning have the potential for either stimulating
>and challenging interaction with professionals and colleagues. It depends
>entirely on the program. I am currently enrolled in a Masters of
>Organizational Management program at the Fielding Institute. The level of
>dialogue and discussion has far exceeded anything in my prior experience.
>(I
>took several combined undergraduate/graduate courses previously, so I feel
>I
>have some basis for comparison.)
>
>I believe that face-to-face learning experiences allow access for those who
>require more than verbal cues and support development of spontaneous
>thinking and response. Online learning is more reflective. My program is in
>a web-based, asynchronous environment. I have the luxury of reviewing
>previous responses or even reading a book before responding. This enables
>discussions to go much deeper than in a typical classroom. Much of our work
>is in groups. This helps us understand group dynamics, build on each
>other's
>expertise and interests, and experience various group processes. (Much like
>work in the real world.) Because my classmates (and instructors for that
>matter) are from all over the world, I get a broader perspective of the
>field and the great variety of practices and situations one might employ or
>encounter. Finally, the asynchronous nature of the program enables me to
>expand my learning while continuing full time in my job and maintaining my
>community volunteer work. I can "be" in class anywhere there is a computer
>-
>at any time of day or night. This flexibility has been essential.
>
>My advice - if you are considering a particular distance learning program -
>is to contact current students and alumni. Ask them the questions that most
>concern you. (My key questions were "What did you get out of this
>program?,"
>"Was it worth it?," and "How did you fit school work into your life?") The
>answers to these questions - along with other insights from students,
>alumni
>and faculty helped me choose the program I would persue. So far, the
>experience has been invaluable.
>
>Note: The opinions experessed above are entirely my own.
>
>Susan B.F. Wageman
>Evaluation Manager                       [log in to unmask]
>The Tech Museum of Innovation            408-795-6303
>201 South Market Street                  fax: 408-279-7167
>San Jose, California USA 95113           http://www.thetech.org
>
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