Make A Difference School Challenge 2008
Is your School engaged in technology-intensive and/or information-rich efforts designed to address the needs of your students? Are you making a difference in the lives of the people you are dedicated to serving? If you are, then someone in your organization might win a graduate scholarship from the University of Missouri - Columbia (MU).
The Make A Difference - School Challenge is sponsored by the MU Graduate School and the MU School of Information Science & Learning Technologies. We challenge your school to make a difference in the quality of your students' lives through innovative programs that employ technology-intensive strategies to meet real needs.
If you can document your success, your school might be selected as the winner of a graduate scholarship for a Master's degree in Educational Technology - a scholarship anyone in your school can use to advance their professional development.
In order to participate, your school must:
- Be a school in Missouri;
- Engage in technology-intensive efforts that make a difference;
- Document 1) what your school is doing; 2) why it is doing it; 3) how it is doing it; and, 4) what difference it is making.
The selection criteria will be based on the following:
- Program appropriateness: the match between the propgram and the needs of the students being served;
- Program mechanics: efficiency, scalability and transportability of the program;
- Rationale: justification for the program mechanics, specifically theory-based intervention with adjustments derived from data
- Evaluation: appropriateness of the evaluation process and data
The winning school will be able to select one individual from within the school who will receive a graduate scholarship to MU's School of Information Science & Learning Technologies. The scholarship will cover all educational fees leading to a Master's Degree in Educational Technology. The scholarship will also include a $25 per credit hour text book allowance. The recipient will be required to cover all other incidental fees.
How do schools make a difference? Well...:
- by implementing a technology-enabled program that attracts and enables young students to the read more
- by using technology to improve communication with parents
- by using webcasting to enhance students' communication skills
The possibilities are endless; just do something that truly makes a difference and document your success.
Challenge Details |
Applications for the Make A Difference - School Challenge 2008 are due May 1, 2008. Finalists will be notified by the middle of May, 2008 and winners will be announced around June 1, 2008. In addition to the graduate scholarship, awardees will receive a Make A Difference plaque and will be named in a press release distributed nationally. Winners can enroll in the Fall 08, Winter 09, or Summer 09 semester. |
Application Process
1. Complete the application form. The application form asks four simple questions:
- What did your school do with technology?
- How did your school do it?
- Why did your school do it that way?
- What evidence do you have that the use of technology made a difference?
2. Secure five letters of support from individuals who can testify to the fact that you made a difference.
3. Mail the completed application form and five support letters to:
Make A Difference School Challenge 2008
c/o Toni Milstead
School of Information Science & Learning Technologies
303 Townsend Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
Notes:
- All application packets must be complete when received. Partial applications will not be processed.
- The support letters must be signed and the writers contact information included.
FAQs
Q. Are non-public schools eligible for the Make A Difference scholarship?
A. Yes, provided they are in Missouri.
Q. Can the graduate scholarship be used in programs other than Educational Technology?
A. No. The 2008 Challenge focuses on educational technology in schools.
Q. Can the scholarship be given to anyone in the winning organization?
A. Yes, provided the recipient qualifies for admission into the graduate program in Educational Technology at MU.
Q. Can the organization choose an individual who is already in a master's program in SISLT?
A. Yes, however any tuition already paid by the student to MU cannot be refunded. Only the tuition charged after the scholarship is awarded qualifies for the scholarship.
Q. How soon must the scholarship be used?
A. The winning organization will have until the end of 2008 to identify someone to receive the scholarship. The scholarship recipient can start work on his/her graduate degree the following Fall, Winter or Summer semester.
Q. What does the scholarship cover?
A. The scholarship will cover all educational fees for approved coursework, up to a maximum of 30 credit hours for the Edcucational Technology program. The scholarship also includes a $25/credit hour textbook allowance.
Q. If my organization is a winner; can we apply a second time?
A. No. Schools are limited to one Make A Difference scholarship.
Q. I think we are making a difference, but I'm not sure it is a big enough difference. Should we go ahead and apply?
A. Yes! Don't underestimate the impact of your technology program. Besides, if your school does not win the first time, you can apply again!
Q. Do I have to come to the Columbia campus to get the degree?
A. No. The ENTIRE Educational Technology program is available ONLINE.
Q. I still have questions. Who can I talk to?
A. Contact Toni Milstead
Email - milsteadt@missouri.edu
Phone - 573-882-4546
Toll Free - 877-747-5868 (877-SISLT-MU)