Educational and Instructional Technology Course Details
Major Core Courses
EDT 5410 - Foundations of Instructional Technology
This course introduces foundational theories, ideas and history that are critical for the development of expertise in the field of instruction technology. Students will engage with this content in a variety of ways and will be given opportunities to synthesize and apply what they learn in ways that are meaningful and productive for their professional interests. This course also introduces students to a variety of computer-based tools and supports their development of instructional strategies that utilize these tools. Many of the tools presented in this course will be used in the delivery of the course.
EDT 6420 - Instructional Design
This course focuses students on learning a systematic approach to the design and development of instructional interventions, strategies and environments. This course provides an overview of innovative instructional design methods and principles that are supported by current learning theories. Students will have opportunities to apply their learning through applied course projects in which students will practice all aspects of instructional design including analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation. Instructional design that integrates learning and communication technologies will be featured.
EDLD 6650 - Principles and Practices of Adult Learning
This online course is designed to help students discover how principles and theories of adult learning can be applied to create effective learning and training outcomes in formal and informal settings across multiple organizational contexts. Students will explore conditions, both internal (age, gender, race/ethnicity, life situation, experience, physical ability) and external (workplace or educational setting, distance, family obligations, other commitments) to the learner, which are known to affect learning outcomes. In addition, alternative methods, strategies, and technologies that increase instructional effectiveness for diverse students, in various learning situations and circumstances will be explored.
EDT 6440 - Instructional Technology Tools & Development
This course provides a detailed review of the latest technological advancements and their potential impact on learning organizations. Students will receive information on the wide array of media types and methods for transmitting them. Students will also be exposed to and experience a variety of data, video, and audio technologies. This course will include an introduction to management issues, including equipment and costs necessary to implement these systems and the impact these technologies have on the learning system. Students will acquire skills that will enable them to select and use both newly emerging and future instructional technologies.
Minor Core Courses
EDT 6430 - Fundamentals of Online Learning
This course focuses on the history, purposes, theories and methods behind the creation and implementation of online learning tools and environments. This course grounds an examination of online learning in learning and instructional theory and actual cases. Students are helped to link content to their own practice through the examination of actual online learning tools and systems. Upon completion of this course, students will possess knowledge in making strategic decisions regarding the planning, delivery, and evaluation of online instruction. Students will develop a proposal for the design of an online learning solution.
EDT 6450 - Technical and Operational Issues
This course covers management issues related to the selection, purchase, installation, and maintenance of software programs for computers and computer network systems. Students will learn how to conduct a technology needs assessment. Using information gained from the needs assessment, students will also learn methods of planning for, implementing, and maintaining technology across an entire system. A detailed review of networking items including hardware, software, Internet connectivity, and troubleshooting issues will also be addressed.
EDT 6490 - Instructional Technology Leadership
This course focuses on the development of creative leadership skills for technology planning and administration. Steps involved with planning, implementing, maintaining, and evaluating technology integration will be addressed. Specific management issues include creating technology plans and managing and budgeting technology finances. Policy and procedure issues such as staffing, scheduling, and technology security will also be discussed. Students will be able to make informed decisions about technology selection, purchase, and implementation based upon the organization technology goals and financial resources.
EDLD 6020 - Educational Leadership, Systems and Change
This course is an introduction to educational leadership and leadership theory and practice. It provides the foundation for leadership in educational programs and institutions. Students will be required to demonstrate an understanding of transformational leadership and other leadership theories, effective communication and problem solving, motivation and decision-making, organizational change and renewal, and consensus building and conflict resolution.
OCL 6430 - Group Dynamics and Team Development in an Age of Globalization
This course examines theoretical perspectives and current research and practice on group dynamics including seminal and contemporary theories of intra and inter group dynamics, diversity in groups, group communication, and developing and leading teams. Adopting a group level perspective, specific topics include: inclusion and identity, formation, cohesion and development, structure, influence, power, leadership, performance, and decision-making. Throughout the course, students engage in experiential group activities (both inside and outside the classroom) to enhance their competence to assess group performance and to more effectively lead and develop diverse teams.
OCL 6440 - Large Scale Change and Organization Design
This course focuses on organizational theory and practice at the organizational level, or change related to large human systems. Shouldering an open systems perspective, the models and methodologies supporting organizational level change are reviewed. In particular, students become skilled at Whole Scale Change, i.e., methodologies used when the goal is to change the entire organization. Managing strategic reorientations, mergers and acquisitions, culture change, technological change, and organizational process engineering are explored. In addition, this course reviews established organizational design models. Emphasis is placed on the many internal and external factors that cause an organization to fit a particular architecture, and students design a forward-thinking organization creating all components, including vision, mission, strategy, structure, and processes.
Electives
EDT 5030 - Special Topics for Instructional Technology Applications
This course is designed to permit students to update knowledge and skills in current instructional technology and apply this learning for use in instructional programs. Such applications include methods of using computers, and digital technologies, video and audiovisual technologies for a variety of instructional and communication tasks. Participation in the course presumes subject matter knowledge and basic computer literacy on the part of the students. Final course outcomes include application of material to the classroom/workplace. These different instructional technology offerings bring students with specific needs, instructors with unique expertise together for intensive and highly-focused learning experiences.
EDT 6410 - Instructional Technology for Educational Leaders
This course explores the effective use of a variety of advanced technology and multi-media applications and how these can assist with curricular objectives and improvement of student achievement. This course develops significant projects which integrate technology into the classroom and building environment and support teaching and learning.
EDT 6460 - Special Issues in Instructional Technology
A variety of state-of-the-art topics are covered in different semesters. Students may be immersed in deep theoretical study or trained in high-level competencies that will be of use and of interest to technology practitioners and leaders. Recent topics have included Creating Online Courses, Digital Video and Animation, Google Apps, and Project Based Learning.
EDT 6480 - Professional Development in Technology
This course provides students with necessary skills to plan, present, and implement professional development activities. The course focuses on technology rich teaching strategies to promote learning, along with gaining skills in designing and assessing instruction for a wide variety of audiences. This course is designed to assist students to grow personally and professionally.
Research Courses
EMR 5400 - Fundamentals of Evaluation, Measurement and Research
This course is designed to develop skills in the fundamentals of research design and the uses and interpretations of research findings. Each student is expected to prepare a review of literature and a design for a research study.
EDLD 6300 - Data-Informed Decision-Making, Research & Evaluation
This research course focuses on using data as a tool to enhance decision making process for school improvement emphasizing the simultaneous use and analysis of multiple data streams to guide leaders through curriculum alignment development and enhancement, supervision of instructions, and targeted professional developments for teachers, administrators, and support staff.
Capstone Project
EDT 7100 - Independent Research (with permission from academic advisor)
This is the culminating activity for students enrolled in the EDT Master of Arts program. Students work individually under the supervision of their academic advisor on an applied project which applies key theories, concepts, and skills learned during their graduate program. The project will focus on a mutually agreed upon set of objectives. Students design and develop their project and write a corresponding paper that documents this process.