Master of Science in Educational Technology
The degree emphasizes innovative uses of technology to support teaching and learning and addresses the needs of diverse students across face-to-face, hybrid, and distance learning environments in synchronous and asynchronous modalities. This program is for all PK – 16 educators who seek to improve their professional practice and become leaders in their use of technology in education to create equitable and accessible learning experiences and environments.
Learners in this online asynchronous program have the opportunity to earn graduate certificates in one or more of the following areas as a part of their degree:
- Computer, Keyboarding and Related Technologies (certificate and license)
- Education Technology in the Classroom
- Instructional Technology and Design
- Technologist
- Digital Educator
- Other certificates available through the MSTL program
Students completing the Masters of Science degree in Educational Technology will complete a Capstone.
The Master of Science degree in Educational Technology responds to the growing needs of P-16 education and industry in providing instruction and training for the technological environment. Program emphasis may be educational technology integration int the classroom, instructional design for education, the technology leader, or instruction for distance learning. Courses are presented online through the university course management system.
Program Requirements
Common Core
This course focuses on the examination of the learner¿s role as a teacher leader scholar in our diverse and evolving society. Learners analyze professional teaching, technology and social justice standards, and current educational trends and research to identify a problem of practice in education to target improvements. Learners collect data and information as evidence of the nature and scope of the problem and develop a plan for personal and/or professional growth to address the problem.
Prerequisites:
none
With a focus on digital literacy and digital equity, learners will critically analyze and evaluate educational technology frameworks, models, and research to support teaching and learning. Learners will learn how to use technology integration frameworks to guide decision-making about and evaluate use of technology. Learners consider teaching contexts to apply effective uses of technology to support students¿ learning needs with alignment to standards, learning goals, teaching strategies, and assessments.
Prerequisites:
none
Research/Methods Course(s)
The research process is one that is complicated, and nonlinear, and very often difficult for students to understand and see its strengths and weaknesses. This course will introduce students to research methodologies as applied to research and evaluation. The course will focus on developing skills and applying different methodologies in a research plan.
Prerequisites:
none
Designed to provide a learning experience in utilizing techniques and procedures in scholarly writing.
Prerequisites:
none
Restricted Electives
Learners will develop expertise using technology tools to address individual learner needs. In this course, learners will explore the assumptions, biases and limitations of integrating technology tools, and the implications of those for teaching and student learning. Through the use of technology integration frameworks, learners will evaluate implications of both access and opportunity of using technology teaching, learning, and assessment. This course will also explore ways in which technology can both be an avenue towards social justice in education and how technology can exacerbate inequities.
Prerequisites:
none
This course will provide the students with a philosophical, professional, and practical framework for the integration of computer technology into differentiated instruction in the K-12 classroom using integrated instruction and web-based software. Students will explore learner characteristics, student needs and elements of differentiated instruction and will design and implement differentiated technology-integrated lesson plans.
Prerequisites:
none
Students will identify, analyze, and evaluate the processes and strategies necessary for creating and maintaining technology system administration, including: documentation, financial planning, hardware and software, roles necessary for successful implementation. Students will research, design, and create technology plans using data driven decision making strategies, processes and procedures.
Prerequisites:
none
This course will include analysis, synthesis, application, and evaluation of approaches to design in education. Learners will critically review design models and technology use as applied in education and the research that supports them to analyze how design can reduce barriers to learning and can increase equitable access to learning. Learners will analyze and apply design models and technology use to evaluate, adapt, and create student-centered learning experiences and instructional materials. Learners will analyze and apply strategies for teaching a design-based approach to problem solving and inquiry.
Prerequisites:
none
This 40 hour field experiences will provide opportunities for practicing teachers with a current MN Teaching license to put theory into practice in a K-12 environment. During field experiences candidates will become familiar with specific school-related issues, technologies, strategies to assist students in learning and apply strategies to help students study and learn within the classroom environment.
Prerequisites:
none
Through research and hands-on application, students will evaluate and implement various strategies in which Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 can be used to enhance and support technology integrated pedagogies.
Prerequisites:
none
The focus is on researching and applying for grants for educational programs within schools and/or non-profit organizations. Students will learn what programs are available, eligibility for those programs and grant possibilities within the grant guidelines.
Prerequisites:
none
This course will require students to evaluate and analyze formats of information technology for online learning environments in educational settings, including: interactive video, web-based software Internet protocols, social media tools, and the effect on learning transfer in distance education.
Prerequisites:
none
Students will identify, evaluate, select, use, adapt, and create game and simulations projects for thematic units, lessons, trainings, and other technology-rich, inquiry-based learning opportunities.
Prerequisites:
none
Learners will apply theoretical models and processes for the design and development of learning experiences to address an instructional-based problem of practice in a local education setting. Starting by conducting a needs analysis, learners will use a design process to create an innovative solution to address the problem. Learners will analyze and evaluate the application of technology tools to support their solutions. The design process will focus on identifying and addressing issues around diversity, equity, and inclusion to better support student learning.
Prerequisites:
none
This course is designed for K-12 technologists and teachers with interests in assisting learning through integrated technology lesson plan development. Students will evaluate, analyze, and develop web-based tools, instructional design strategies, and multimedia learning principles in order to educate and train K-12 teachers and staff. Through research and hands-on application, students will evaluate and implement various training strategies which can be used to enhance and support technology integrated pedagogies.
Prerequisites:
none
Capstone Course
For students completing a Masters degree with the alternate plan option.
Prerequisites:
none
For students completing a Master's degree with the creative projects option.
Prerequisites:
none
For students completing a Masters or Specialist degree with the using the thesis option.
Prerequisites:
none
Degree Plan
First Year
This course focuses on the examination of the learner¿s role as a teacher leader scholar in our diverse and evolving society. Learners analyze professional teaching, technology and social justice standards, and current educational trends and research to identify a problem of practice in education to target improvements. Learners collect data and information as evidence of the nature and scope of the problem and develop a plan for personal and/or professional growth to address the problem.
Prerequisites:
none
With a focus on digital literacy and digital equity, learners will critically analyze and evaluate educational technology frameworks, models, and research to support teaching and learning. Learners will learn how to use technology integration frameworks to guide decision-making about and evaluate use of technology. Learners consider teaching contexts to apply effective uses of technology to support students¿ learning needs with alignment to standards, learning goals, teaching strategies, and assessments.
Prerequisites:
none
Learners will develop expertise using technology tools to address individual learner needs. In this course, learners will explore the assumptions, biases and limitations of integrating technology tools, and the implications of those for teaching and student learning. Through the use of technology integration frameworks, learners will evaluate implications of both access and opportunity of using technology teaching, learning, and assessment. This course will also explore ways in which technology can both be an avenue towards social justice in education and how technology can exacerbate inequities.
Prerequisites:
none
This course will include analysis, synthesis, application, and evaluation of approaches to design in education. Learners will critically review design models and technology use as applied in education and the research that supports them to analyze how design can reduce barriers to learning and can increase equitable access to learning. Learners will analyze and apply design models and technology use to evaluate, adapt, and create student-centered learning experiences and instructional materials. Learners will analyze and apply strategies for teaching a design-based approach to problem solving and inquiry.
Prerequisites:
none
Through research and hands-on application, students will evaluate and implement various strategies in which Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 can be used to enhance and support technology integrated pedagogies.
Prerequisites:
none
Students will identify, evaluate, select, use, adapt, and create game and simulations projects for thematic units, lessons, trainings, and other technology-rich, inquiry-based learning opportunities.
Prerequisites:
none
Second Year
The research process is one that is complicated, and nonlinear, and very often difficult for students to understand and see its strengths and weaknesses. This course will introduce students to research methodologies as applied to research and evaluation. The course will focus on developing skills and applying different methodologies in a research plan.
Prerequisites:
none
This course will require students to evaluate and analyze formats of information technology for online learning environments in educational settings, including: interactive video, web-based software Internet protocols, social media tools, and the effect on learning transfer in distance education.
Prerequisites:
none
This course will provide the students with a philosophical, professional, and practical framework for the integration of computer technology into differentiated instruction in the K-12 classroom using integrated instruction and web-based software. Students will explore learner characteristics, student needs and elements of differentiated instruction and will design and implement differentiated technology-integrated lesson plans.
Prerequisites:
none
This course is designed for K-12 technologists and teachers with interests in assisting learning through integrated technology lesson plan development. Students will evaluate, analyze, and develop web-based tools, instructional design strategies, and multimedia learning principles in order to educate and train K-12 teachers and staff. Through research and hands-on application, students will evaluate and implement various training strategies which can be used to enhance and support technology integrated pedagogies.
Prerequisites:
none
Designed to provide a learning experience in utilizing techniques and procedures in scholarly writing.
Prerequisites:
none
For students completing a Master's degree with the creative projects option.
Prerequisites:
none
