Selection and Enrollment on the Rise for WISE

As WISE (Web-based Information Science Education) begins its second year this fall, the program will see significant increases in student enrollment and in the number and diversity of classes offered. Fifty-one students have registered for a selection of 30 classes, which are offered via a distance-learning format to students in the information science programs of the WISE’s 13 member schools.

The fall enrollment represents dramatic growth from WISE’s humble beginnings. A year ago, the program consisted of only two member schools – Syracuse University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign – offering courses to only three students. Registration climbed slowly, but steadily to nine students in spring 2005 and 11 students in summer 2005, before making the big jump to its current level.

According to students like Dan Muzyka, who is pursuing a master’s degree in library and information science at Syracuse University, increased course selection helps draw students to the program. After developing an interest in usability practices, Muzyka signed up for a WISE course on the subject offered by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign last spring. He was so impressed that when a course on electronic book publishing, one of only a few of its kind, popped up in the WISE course offerings for the fall, he jumped at the opportunity.

“To me, it’s phenomenal that we just have so much selection of course topics available to us,” said Muzyka, who added that the ability to view course descriptions and syllabi on the WISE website makes it easy for students to judge if a course will appeal to them.