Overview
In the MA in Learning and Technology, the emphasis is on learning—learning processes, planning for learning, designing for learning, facilitating learning, and assessing learning—that takes place in a technology-mediated environment. This means that technology is part of the context rather than the primary focus of the program. Technologies will be used to deliver the program, and they will also be considered throughout the program from the perspective of assessing their suitability for supporting a variety of learning activities.
The MA in Learning and Technology reflects a commitment to provide a fully balanced and integrated graduate degree program. The process of ensuring balance and integration takes place on several levels.
First, is the balance between the development of subject matter expertise and research skills.
Second, is the equal weight given to the theoretical component that is an essential element of graduate education and to the applied aspect that is central to working professional’s learning.
Third, is the sequencing of the courses such that the knowledge and skills acquired in one course serve as scaffolding for subsequent courses.
One of the key features of the MA in Learning and Technology program is that course design and delivery will serve as models so that participants learn about best practices in technology-mediated learning through both observation and hands-on experience.
By providing opportunities for students to not only discuss an instructional strategy, but also to observe it in action and to gain experience in its use, they will be able to make better decisions about how appropriate the strategy may be in other contexts.
Instructional strategies that will be used to help students develop their problem-solving and critical thinking skills include:
- problem based learning
- case studies
- experiential learning, and
- critical incident analysis.
