Instructional Technologies

College of Education
Dean: Jacob Perea

Department of Instructional Technologies
BH 163
415-338-1509
Chair: Eugene Michaels

Advisers: Benton, Foreman, Michaels

Faculty

Lecturers—Cling, Evans, Fennell, Ferenz, Fresina, Harrington, Kasner, Kelly, Leighton, Mahoney, Perron, Richards, Schaumberg, Schmidt, Schwartz, Scott, Shaffner, Vasquez, Yeh

Programs

M.A. in Education: Concentration in Instructional Technologies
Certificate in Training Systems Development

Program Scope and Career Outlook

The Department of Instructional Technologies offers the Master of Arts in Education with Concentration in Instructional Technologies and the Certificate in Training Systems Development (graduate). The program provides three areas of emphases for graduate study: Instructional Computing and Multimedia Development, Training Design and Development, and Technology Integration for Teachers. In addition, the program offers a Supplementary Authorization in instructional computing for K-12 teachers who complete ten to twelve (10-12) units of course work in that area.

The program prepares students for careers as trainers in corporations and public service agencies, as instructional multimedia designers and producers, as specialists in instructional computing and software design, and as computer-resource teachers. Graduates of the program include: corporate trainers, training consultants, instructional materials designers, computer instructors, multi-media developers, instructional software developers, video producers, and classroom and laboratory computing teachers. The program emphasizes the instructional systems approach, instructional message design, practical design experience, technical skills development, and project-based courses. During their studies, students develop a portfolio which includes instructional computing software, instructional print materials, and video and multimedia instructional programs. For further information, contact the department chair.

MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATION: CONCENTRATION IN INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES

Admission to Program

Applicants to the program must meet the university's requirements for all graduate majors. In addition, the department requires that applicants to the program schedule an interview, either in person or by telephone, with the department chair in order to review the applicant's interest and preparation in the field.

In order for students to be considered for admission to the program, they must indicate that they have the following academic preparation or practical experience.

• Students must have competency in computer skills at least to the level of basic multimedia authoring. If those skills are lacking, students will be asked to complete ITEC 715, Computer Foundations of Instructional Multimedia, with at least a grade of B. If students are not computer literate, they will also be required to take a computer fundamentals course, such as ITEC 711 or 712 (equivalent courses). Neither of these courses can be applied toward the master's degree.
• Students who are entering the fields of educational software, multimedia, or training design and development and who have no practical experience or academic background in these areas will be required to complete ITEC 700, Introduction to Instructional Technologies, with a minimum grade of B. This course cannot be applied toward the master's degree.
• Students must demonstrate, whether through course work or practical experience, that they have a basic level of video production skills. Students who lack that background will be required to take ITEC 770, Instructional Videography I, with a minimum grade of B.

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Students must demonstrate written English proficiency to the satisfaction of the department, which must be met by taking the Graduate Essay Test (GET) during the first year of study. Students who fail the GET will be required to take and pass EDUC 614, or the equivalent, with a grade of B or better before filing a Graduate Approved Program (GAP). Students who receive a "Marginal Pass" may have an additional course, ITEC 854, Design of Print Instructional Materials, assigned as a part of the master's program.

Core Requirements

Upon completion of prerequisites or during the first year of study, all students must take ITEC 800, Theoretical Foundations of Instructional Technologies, and ITEC 801, Instructional Systems Design. Based on their areas of emphasis, students must take an additional core course in the department:

• Students who have the Instructional Computing and Multimedia Development Emphasis must take ITEC 830, Design of Instructional Multimedia, for their third core requirement.
• Students who have the Training Design and Development Emphasis must take ITEC 850, Design and Management of Training Projects, for their third core requirement.
• Students who have the Technology Integration for Teachers Emphasis must take ITEC 816, Computer Resource Specialist, for their third core requirement.

Major Emphases

Each master's candidate must choose one of three areas as the major emphasis of study. In order to have a major emphasis, the student chooses nine units from the graduate courses offered in each area. Students must meet program and course prerequisites as they select from the courses.

Electives

Students may choose six units of electives within the department or in related disciplines.

On-line course descriptions are available.

Prerequisite Courses

Based on individual assessment, students may meet the department's prerequisites by experience of cognate courses at other universities. If they lack the prerequisite skills or knowledge, students may have to complete certain courses from the following list. These courses meet the prerequisite requirements for the award of the master's degree. The units cannot be applied toward the master's degree.

Program

The minimal requirement for graduation is 30 units. Based on individual student needs, background, and interest, the department may require some students to complete more than 30 units for the attainment of the degree.

Culminating Experience

The culminating experience may be completed by one of two options: ITEC 895, Field Study, or ITEC 898, Master's Thesis.

Field Study Requirements. In order to complete the field study, students must design, develop, and produce an instructional design project, using the instructional systems process, from needs analysis to formative evaluation. The instructional product may be in any medium—print, video, or multimedia. The design process used in the development of the product must be described in writing—in the form of a narrative case study—and any design document, such as performance objectives, storyboards, flowcharts, or scripts, must accompany the written summary. The narrative case study must include an introduction, statement of the instructional need or significance of the project, research review, description of the design methodology, and the formative evaluation of the product, and conclusion.

Master's Thesis. Students who wish to conduct a research study use the thesis as a way to demonstrate their research and scholarly interests and abilities. The thesis reports the results of a research study, which has been based on a question of theoretical or applied interest in instructional design in the fields of training or education. The thesis should reflect research questions and inquiry that demonstrate graduate-level capabilities.

CERTIFICATE IN TRAINING SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT

This eighteen-unit program is designed for students who do not wish to earn a master's degree, or for those who have already earned a master's degree in a related field. The purpose of the graduate certificate is to develop and update skills and knowledge in the specific emphasis area of training design and development in order for students to advance to new positions in corporate or public agency training departments. It offers professional training program developers an opportunity to strengthen and augment their skills. This program is especially useful to students who already hold a master's degree in a related field, such as industrial psychology, radio and television, or human resource development, or for those who need documentation in training competencies to meet governmental requirements

Admission to the Program

Applicants to the program must meet the university requirements for all graduate majors. In addition, the department requires that applicants to the program schedule an interview, either in person or by telephone, with the department chair in order to review the applicant's interest and preparation in the field.

In order for students to enter the program, they must indicate that they have the following academic preparation or practical experience.

• Students must have competency in computer skills at least to the level of basic multimedia authoring. If those skills are lacking, students will be asked to complete ITEC 715, Computer Foundations of Instructional Multimedia Instruction, with a minimum grade of B. If students are not computer literate, they will be required to take a computer fundamentals course in addition, such as ITEC 711 or 712 (equivalent courses). Neither of these courses can be applied toward the certificate.
• Students who are entering the fields of educational software, multimedia, or training design and development and who have no practical experience or academic background in these areas will be required to complete ITEC 700, Introduction to Instructional Technologies, with a minimum grade of B. This course cannot be applied toward the certificate.
• Students must demonstrate, whether through course work or practical experience, that they have a basic level of video production skills. Students who lack that background will be required to take ITEC 770, Instructional Videography I, with at least a grade of B.

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Students must indicate written English proficiency to the satisfaction of the department at Level One, which must be met by taking the Graduate Essay Test (GET) during the first year of study. Students who fail the GET will be required to take and pass EDUC 614, or equivalent, with a grade of B or better. Students who receive a "Marginal Pass" may have an additional course, ITEC 854, Design of Print Instructional Materials, assigned as a part of the certificate program.

Program Requirements

Students are required to take nine units of core requirements and nine units of electives from the Training Design and Development Emphasis.

Core Requirements

Upon completion of prerequisites or during the first year of study, all students must take ITEC 800, Theoretical Foundations of Instructional Technologies; ITEC 801, Instructional Systems Design; and ITEC 850, Design and Management of Training Programs.

Electives

Students choose nine units of electives from the Training Design and Development Emphasis area.

Prerequisite Courses

Based on individual assessment, students may meet the department's prerequisites by experience of cognate courses at other universities. If they lack the prerequisite skills or knowledge, students may have to complete certain courses from the following list. These courses meet the prerequisite requirements for the certificate. The units cannot be applied toward the certificate.

Program

The minimal requirement for completion is eighteen (18) units. Based on individual student needs, background, and interests, the department may require some students to complete more than eighteen units for the award of the certificate.

Award of Certificate

When all requirements have been met, each student may request the certificate from the chair of Instructional Technologies. At the time of the request, the student must provide the chair with transcripts indicating satisfactory completion of all certificate requirements. The chair will then initiate issuance of a certificate. The certificate will be signed by the chair and the dean of the Graduate Division. Award of the certificate will be entered on the student's transcript.

Supplementary Authorization to the Teaching Credential

Teachers who have earned a Single or Multiple Subject Credential can receive a Supplementary Authorization in Instructional Computing by completing ten to twelve (10-12) graduate units in appropriate courses in the department. The supplementary authorization can be used to verify competencies as a computer laboratory manager or for computer-based teaching. For further information, contact the department