CDIS

History

For over a century, savvy students throughout the U.S. and around the world have chosen independent study as the common-sense option to help fulfill their educational goals. Across the curriculum, hundreds of thousands of professionals have included independent study courses in their degree programs. This time-honored methodology affords independently minded students the opportunity to access a diverse curriculum developed by a world-class faculty. Using a learner-centered approach, independent study offers students the latitude to expand their educational options without the constraints of time, space, or the confines of the traditional classroom. Students tackle a challenging academic curriculum as they develop critical thinking skills. Independent Study promotes the construction of new knowledge through interactions and negotiations which, in turn, form the basis of further intellectual activity. With more control of the instructional process, students experience a sense of empowerment as they exercise greater responsibility for learning.

The University of Missouri's Independent Study program created online courses to take advantage of the speed, storage capacity, and interactivity of the Internet. Courses integrate emerging and well-established technologies with the vast resources of the Internet. Supplementary materials may include textbooks, specialized kits, audio cassettes, videotapes or CDs. Independent study recognizes the uniqueness of every student and diversity of learning outcomes. Individual performance is assessed using a range of instructional techniques including essays, case studies, short answers, as well as objective questions such as multiple-choice and matching items.

Building on their natural talents, students are afforded the flexibility to progress at their own pace. Typically, students take from six weeks to nine months to complete their course work. Lesson assignments, carefully designed to build upon prior knowledge, are essential components of every course. Students succeed when they submit lessons in sequential order, allowing ample time to review lesson feedback in preparation for proctored exams. Carefully selected exam questions allow students to demonstrate what they have learned as a result of their Independent Study experience.