Master of Arts Degree: Educational Technology Strand

The School of Education has developed a graduate program in Educational Technology. The Educational Technology program prepares candidates for careers working within P-12 environments and/or for working with adult learners at institutions of higher learning for example, or alternatively as a corporate trainer, or related.  For candidates preparing to work as a technology specialist within a P-12 environment, the program prepares candidates to meet standards for the state endorsement for technology specialist. In order to meet the state requirements, candidates must already hold a teaching license and must pass the Illinois content area test for technology facilitator (178).

Educational Technology Curriculum

This program includes eleven courses. List of courses, semesters, and the method of delivery is stated below:

Semester	Face-to-Face Course	Online
1	EDGIP 511, Foundations of Education	EDUGN 532, Instructional Design Foundations
2	EDUGN 531, Foundations of Educational Technology	EDUGN 533, Computers, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving in the Content Area
3	EDGIP 512, Assessment of Instruction and Learning	EDUGN 534, Emerging Technology Trends in Education
4	EDUGN 535, Administration and Management of Educational Technology	EDGIP 513, Educational Research Design and Development
5	EDUGN 537, Educational Computers and Network Applications	EDUGN 536, 21st Century Literacies and Professional Development (Hybrid)
6	EDGIP 514, Scholarship of Teaching: Finalizing the Inquiry Process

EDGIP 531: Foundations of Educational Technology (3)
EDGIP 532: Instructional Design Foundations (3)
EDGIP 533: Computers, Critical Thinking, and Problem Solving in the Content Area (3)
EDGIP 534: Emerging Technology Trends in Education (3)
EDGIP 535: Administration and Management of Educational Technology (3)
EDGIP 536: 21st Century Literacies and Professional Development (3)
EDGIP 537: Educational Computers and Network Applications (3)
EDGIP 511, Foundations of American Education (3 credits)
EDGIP 512, Assessment of Instruction and Learning (3 credits)
EDGIP 513, Educational Research, Design and Development (3 credits)
EDGIP 514, Scholarship of Teaching: Finalizing the Inquiry Process (3 credits)

Graduate students enrolled in the program will complete an action research project during EDGIP 514. The purpose of this project is to assist teachers enrolled in the program investigate a research question related to the issues and projects that are important for their school and will enhance the instructional needs of the school community.

Coursework Descriptions Required for Science Education Strand

EDGIP 531: Foundations of Educational Technology (3)
This course examines the field of educational technology including the design, development, utilization, management and evaluation of instructional systems. Additionally, the philosophy and principals that influence educational technology is addressed. Offered as needed.

EDGIP 532: Instructional Design Foundations (3)
Application of contemporary instructional design principles and models to real-world learning problems. The systems approach to designing instruction is emphasized. Offered as needed.

EDGIP 533: Computers, Critical Thinking, and Problem Solving in the Content Area (3)
This course examines the use of computers for promoting higher order thinking and problem solving in the content areas. Contemporary research and instructional strategies are examined. Students also begin an action research project on a topic related to the course content. Offered as needed.

EDGIP 534: Emerging Technology Trends in Education (3)
The course examines the role of technology trends in educational institutions. The course focuses on understanding the life-cycle of technology, change management strategies, and ethical and legal issues associated with adapting and integrating technology into educational institutions. Offered as needed.

EDGIP 535: Administration and Management of Educational Technology (3)
The course examines how to plan and manage successful training, professional development, and technological projects in educational institutions. Topical areas include planning and developing technology projects, evaluating and analyzing school and district capacity and readiness for a new technology project, organizing and managing human resources and support systems, scheduling, budgeting, team structures, defining project requirements and quality assurance. Offered as needed.

EDGIP 536: 21st Century Literacies and Professional Development (3)
The course introduces instructional technology professionals to the fundamentals of computers, including terminology and operations. The course also examines the fundamental concepts of planning, designing, and managing computer networking and knowledge of server-based applications for instructional settings. Offered as needed.

EDGIP 537: Educational Computers and Network Applications (3)
The course introduces instructional technology professionals to the fundamentals of computers, including terminology and operations. The course also examines the fundamental concepts of planning, designing, and managing computer networking and knowledge of server-based applications for instructional settings. Offered as needed.

EDGIP 511: Foundations of Education (3)

All sections of 511 are cross-listed.

This course examines the social, historical and philosophical foundations of American education. It explores the relationship between school and society, the development of the U.S. educational system from its inception to the present, and the philosophical questions that guide educational thought and practice. Students apply these philosophical questions to a variety of contemporary situations, including theories of learning and educational policies. Offered according to cohort schedule.

EDGIP 512: Assessment of Instruction and Learning (3)
All sections of 512 are cross-listed.
Also cross-listed with EDGCI and EDGAL 527.

This course is designed to address the assessment and evaluation of student progress toward meeting targeted standards, learning objectives and competencies. The development of interpretive skills across learning objectives will be stressed. Topics addressed include: standards-based assessment, standardized tests and interpreting their results, performance assessment, portfolio assessment, self-evaluation and dissemination of assessment results. Offered according to the cohort schedule.

EDGIP 513: Educational Research, Design and Development (3)
All sections of 513 are cross-listed.    

This course initiates the graduate study research requirement. Course content differentiates the foundational assumptions, elements, methods and designs of educational research through both qualitative and quantitative paradigms. A statement of original research inquiry, a literature review, and a plan for investigating a research problem are developed. Offered according to cohort schedule.

EDGIP 514: Scholarship of Teaching: Finalizing the Inquiry Process (3)
All sections of 514 are cross-listed.    

Prerequisite: EDGIP 513. 

This course is designed to guide and assist graduate students in the completion of the graduate research study. Students receive guidance in the collection and interpretation of data. Dissemination of research findings to peers, the educational community, and other relevant audiences is required. Offered as needed.