What is an online course?

Special conferencing software allows students and instructor to send private messages, as well as participate in group "discussions " that most closely match what occurs in a traditional, non-electronic classroom. Courses are not conducted in real time, so each participant can access the class at a time convenient to him or her.

Who develops and teaches the courses?

Teams of scientists, teachers, and science educators develop the courses. The teams work closely to identify appropriate content and tested classroom activities for each course. Course topics are selected based on input from science teachers, identified needs from national surveys and reports, and current events taking place in science and technology. Courses are team-taught by the university faculty and an active science teacher.

Who typically takes these courses?

Most participants in the courses are middle and high-school science teachers or elementary teachers, but two and four-year college faculty, undergraduate students, and in some cases, advanced placement high-school students also take NTEN courses. Experience in telecomputing ranges from none to very experienced. The participants can be anywhere in the world.

Why do K-12 science teachers take NTEN courses?

Science teachers taking NTEN courses are often seeking to improve their teaching with more in-depth science knowledge. NTEN's elementary courses give a scientific foundation that enriches teaching with popular science kits.

How do I enroll for a course?

1. Go to the Course Descriptions page to see a list of the coming semester's classes.

2. When the page finishes loading, click on a course title to view its description.

3. Once you've read the course information, click on an ENROLL link to go to the online NTEN registration form.

You may also enroll via phone at (406) 994-6683, by fax at (406)994-7856, or by surface mail:

National Teachers Enhancement Network
Montana State University
204 Culbertson, P.O. Box 172200
Bozeman, MT 59717-2200

Please Note: Your registration will not be processed until full payment is received.

Please make certain that you understand the Administrative Policies for NTEN Credit Courses before registering. Please note that policies may change from semester to semester.

Please note that NTEN courses must be accessed via the Internet (TCP/IP connection). Participants are required to have their own access to the Internet.

NTEN asks that you register for only one class per semester unless you are an MSSE Degree student.

Questions regarding registration should be submitted to the registration coordinator at outreach@montana.edu or (406)994-6683.

Whom do I contact for technical and administrative support?

Robert Friedrich, Technical Support
Internet email: robertf@montana.edu
Phone: (800) 435-1286 or (406) 994-6839

Lisa Brown provides admistrative support for elementary NTEN partcipants. Questions regarding elementary registration, credit, tuition, and fees, course materials, etc. should be directed to Lisa.

Lisa Brown, Administrative Support, Elementary NTEN
Internet email: nten_elem@montana.edu
Phone:(800)461-9635 or (406)994-3062

Kelly Boyce supplies Administrative Support for secondary NTEN participants. Questions regarding registration, credit, tuition and fees, course materials, etc. should be directed to Kelly.

Kelly Boyce, Administrative Support, Secondary NTEN
Internet email: kboyce@montana.edu
Phone: (800) 282-6062 or (406) 994-6812

Here's our full contact information.

Please let us know how we can help! We are continually looking for ways to improve NTEN and welcome your feedback.

National Teachers Enhancement Network
Montana State University
128 EPS Building, P.O. Box 173860
Bozeman, MT 59717-3860
Phone: (800) 282-6062 or (406) 994-6812
Fax #: (406)994-7856
www.scienceteacher.org

Who sponsors NTEN?

The National Teachers Enhancement Network at Montana State University--Bozeman is supported by grant #ESI-9253286 from the National Science Foundation.

Does NTEN and Montana State University-Bozeman have a non-discrimination/affirmative action policy?

Yes.

Montana State University-Bozeman does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, religion, creed or political belief, mental or physical handicap or disability, or status as a Vietnam era or disabled veteran in admission, access to, or conduct of its educational programs and activities nor in its employment policies and practices.

Do NTEN courses really teach effectively over the Internet?

Yes. NTEN commissioned an external evaluation gauging the quality and impacts of its courses. Read the report online:

Part One: Participant Satisfaction
Part Two: Cumulative Impacts

Both participant and instructor comments from pilot courses are extremely positive. Participants report that they appreciate the quality of the courses and the ability to participate from a location and time schedule that works for them. They are enthusiastic about interacting with peers from around the country and the ability to have personal, one-on-one interactions with experts in the content area. Instructors have commented that they have been able to generate a great deal of interaction using the electronic conferencing system. Some have even commented that the interaction is better than what they would normally have in a face-to-face classroom situation.

In testimony before the U.S. House Committee on Science, Dr. Gerald Wheeler (NTEN´s first program director and now Executive Director of the National Science Teachers Association) described NTEN courses as follows:

What equipment do I need?

1. A Macintosh running MacOS 7.1 or newer or IBM-compatible computer running Windows 95 or later.
2. Internet Access (SLIP, PPP or direct connection)
3. Telecommunications Software (we provide this for all users)
   
   Some courses have additional hardware or software requirements. Check the course description.
   

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