University Rankings USA

Educational Technology Degree: All you need to know

Degrees in Educational Technology prepare students to use technology in the classroom. Technology integration, distant learning, computer assisted instruction, and effective learning experiences may be the focus of these programs. The majority of these degrees are designed exclusively for working teachers, and they provide both online and traditional campus-based learning possibilities.

Overview of the Program

Degrees in educational technology prepare future teachers and educational professionals to lead in the field of technology. Students investigate digital tools, hone pedagogical abilities, establish classroom techniques, and discover how to use technology to promote teaching. Students learn how to use blended learning strategies, provide professional development to teachers, and design technical assistance procedures for their peers, for example. The majority of the material will be applicable in K-12 classrooms and adult education settings.

There are specializations offered, such as a digital teaching specialty that trains students to be technology leaders. These degree programs highlight novel approaches to technology integration in the classroom, as well as new methods of behaving and thinking about it. Students gain the skills and knowledge necessary to support technology-based learning and to assist educators with teacher development. Assignments could look at how to improve student learning, provide better learning spaces, and integrate technology into the curriculum.

Types of Educational Technology

Synchronous and asynchronous learning, linear learning, and collaborative learning are the three forms of educational technology. Let’s take a closer look at each of these instructional technology categories to gain a better understanding.

Synchronous and Asynchronous

The first two types of educational technology are synchronous and asynchronous. Students can learn in or out of the classroom because new inventions are developed every day. Self-directed learning (using various internet resources), synchronous learning, and asynchronous learning are all options. Students can now learn online through Virtual Classrooms and Distance Learning Programs.

Synchronous learning, which literally means “being or occurring at the same time,” refers to sharing thoughts and facts about specific topics with others at the same time. Face-to-face discussions, chat rooms or virtual classrooms, live teaching and feedback sessions, Skype conversations, and other situations where people are online and working together are examples. Because the students are working in groups, they are able to broaden their horizons by listening to what others have to say about the same themes. This will also assist them in learning and gathering more information, resulting in an increase in their knowledge.

The term asynchronous refers to something that isn’t happening in real time. As a result, blogs, emails, online textbooks, audio/video courses, hypertext papers, wikis, and other forms of asynchronous learning are commonly used. Students are able to learn using this form of educational tech. They can read the lesson again if they don’t grasp it the first time without falling behind in class. Students can complete their program while pursuing internships, employment, or sports through online classes, or if they fail, they can retake the subject without the embarrassment of being in the same class as younger students.

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Linear Learning

Liner Learning is the second most common sort of instructional technology. Computer-Based Training (CBT) is a type of linear learning in which information about the program is supplied to students’ computers, tablets, or cellphones. It appears to be similar to reading an online handbook or book. It’s typically used to educate static processes like how to operate software or solve math problems. Web-Based Course is similar to this training (sent over the Internet using a web browser).

CBT is different from traditional learning in the sense it does not make use of a traditional classroom. Instead, films and animation can be added in CBT to help students better understand the topics. Furthermore, utilizing Computer-Based Training, assessments such as multiple-choice questions, drag-and-drop, and others can be conveniently stored and recorded using web software while concurrently providing feedback/results to users. That said, users are able to obtain the result which is usually in the form of a certificate.

However, there are certain obstacles, as establishing the necessary CBTs necessitates a large investment of time and money. The CBT can be difficult to use at times. There is also little interaction between students and teachers, which means there is no exchange of ideas or knowledge.

Training people to operate heavy equipment (e.g., cranes) and vehicles (e.g., aircraft) or how to work safely in dangerous situations are examples of CBT (e.g., oil rigs).

Collaborative Education

Collaborative Learning is how learning is done in groups through working together. Collaborative implies “to collaborate with another individual or group to achieve or do something.” Problem-solving, learning new concepts, and finishing activities are all done in pairs or groups of two or more. Individuals can learn through collecting facts and listening to others’ ideas rather than simply learning from the materials available. They become reliant on teachers in this manner (the primary source of skills and knowledge).

Universities that offer online master’s degrees in educational technology

Johns Hopkins University

Through the School of Education, Johns Hopkins University provides a master’s degree in education in digital age learning and educational technology (DALET). For preK-12 and college classrooms, the program is appropriate for educators, administrators, student advocates, nonprofit professionals, and lawmakers. This master’s degree in educational technology adheres to the International Society for Technology in Education’s curricular guidelines.

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Participants will learn about the most recent advances in learning science, instructional design, and the evolution of education as a result of technological advancements. Online, traditional, hybrid, formal, and informal course delivery are all included in the curriculum. Culturally responsive education and technology integration for the 21st-century learner are among the topics covered by students.You’ll need to submit a capstone project at the end of the program.

Johns Hopkins admits students in the fall, spring, and summer periods and accepts applications on a rolling basis. Accepted students have the option of taking full-time or part-time classes.

The University of Central Florida

UCF’s College of Community Innovation and Education provides an online master’s degree in instructional design and technology. The program prepares aspiring educators to create high-quality learning resources for students in grades K-12 and higher education. This curriculum is also appropriate for business trainers and teachers.

Optional tracks in educational technology, instructional systems, and e-learning are available as part of the curriculum. The science of learning, education reform tactics, and job training techniques are all topics covered in class. An online writing center, a student academic resource center, and a mobile app are among UCF’s online learning facilities.

MA students are required to participate in an internship and pass a comprehensive final exam. This degree can be completed wholly online or in a hybrid approach that requires one in-person meeting every other week on campus.

Raleigh, North Carolina State University State University offers a master’s degree and a master’s degree in educational technology and learning design. Design, digital leadership, or investigation are all options for students. A field requirement, which includes a portfolio and practicum experience, is part of the 30-credit M.Ed. course. Alternatively, a master’s thesis is required to complete the 36-credit MS.

Core, general education, and analytics-oriented curriculum are all required for each program. Furthermore, the MS degree mandates research classes, whereas M.Ed. students might choose to participate in research. After earning their MS or M.Ed, educators with existing licensing can pursue an endorsement as an instructional technology specialist.

Aspiring K-12 educators, instructional designers, and instructional technology specialists will benefit from this online master’s degree. The curriculum adheres to the International Society for Technology in Education’s guidelines.

Florida State University

The College of Education at Florida State University provides a master’s degree in instructional systems and learning technologies. The curriculum looks at how communications, psychology, and management interact to affect human performance.

K-12 and postsecondary educators, HR professionals, educational technology coordinators, and instructional designers may be interested in this master’s degree. Emerging technology, instructional design, and performance improvement are all highlighted in the curriculum. An internship and a professional portfolio are required to complete the program.

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FSU offers a Ph.D. in instructional systems and learning technologies as well as an Ed.D. in learning design and performance technology to graduates. Students can also acquire a graduate certificate in human performance technology, instructional design and technology, or online teaching and learning, which can be completed as an embedded or standalone program.

The M.Ed. in learning, design, and technology at the University of Georgia offers a concentration in instructional design and development. The curriculum prepares students to build e-learning modules and materials using emerging technology and media tools. Gaming, simulations, and multimedia are among the instructional design models explored in the program.

This online M.Ed. The program follows a cohort learning style, in which students work together to complete the degree. Designing interactive learning environments, concepts of human performance technology and analysis, and advanced instructional design are among the subjects covered in this course. The degree program concludes in the creation of a portfolio as well as a rigorous oral exam.

The University of Georgia accepts students in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. You’ll need a bachelor’s degree from any accredited university. Learners can apply up to six credits toward their M.Ed. degree by transferring them in.

Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University’s App State Online provides a part-time master’s degree in educational media. Instructional design specialist/K-12, online learning and professional development, and new media literacies and global views are the three tracks available to students. A post-program master’s in instructional technology leadership is also available at Appalachian.

The M-level licensing for instructional design experts is obtained through the instructional design specialist/K-12 course.

Throughout the fall, spring, and summer, Appalachian offers a variety of start dates. A dual-degree program that leads to both a master’s in educational media and a master’s in library science is also available at the university. Students can choose to write a master’s thesis.

The online master’s in educational technology program at Michigan State University highlights the importance of learning theory. The MAET program helps aspiring K-12 and postsecondary educators, technology integration specialists, and instructional designers improve their critical thinking and innovation.

The online MAET delves into themes such as educational research methods and learning psychology in schools and other contexts. A seminar in educational technology is required as part of the core curriculum. Learners at MSU have access to a global network of teachers and practitioners that have worked in the field of instructional technology innovation.

MSU accepts applications year-round and admits students in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Through flexible online, hybrid, and foreign learning options, the program offers several approaches to graduation.