Instructional Technologies

College of Education
Dean: Jacob Perea

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

Advisers: Beatty, Benton, Foreman, Michaels

Faculty

Lecturers—Fennell, Ferenz, Fresina, Gaines, Kelly, Mahony, Richards, Roderick, Schmidt, Scott, Shaffner, Shearer

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. The program provides three areas for graduate study: E-Learning Design and Development, including 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 units of course work in that area.

The Department offers all its courses in a hybrid format, which includes a combination of classroom sessions along with an online component.

The program prepares students for careers as instructional designers, trainers in corporations and public service agencies, instructional multimedia designers and producers, specialists in instructional computing and instructional software design, and computer-resource teachers. Graduates of the program include: corporate trainers, training consultants, instructional materials designers, computer instructors, multimedia 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 portfolios that may include computer-based instruction, print-based instructional materials, and video and e-learning programs. For further information, contact the department chair.

MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATION: CONCENTRATION IN INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES

Admission to the Program

Applicants to the program must meet the university's requirements for all graduate majors. The department requires that applicants to the program schedule an interview with the department chair in order to review the applicant's interest and preparation in the field. In addition, applicants must submit two letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation should come from professionals who can attest to the applicant's promise as a graduate student and professional educator.

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 should have foundation competency in computer skills. 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). This course cannot be applied toward the master's degree.

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Students must demonstrate 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 receive a marginal pass or who fail the GET will be required to take and pass an additional course in English skills development with at least a grade of B before filing a Graduate Approved Program (GAP). The course will be selected with the advice of an adviser.

Core Requirements

During the first year of study, students must take ITEC 800, Theoretical Foundations of Instructional Technologies, and ITEC 801, Instructional Systems Design. Based on their interests, students must take one of the following courses before completion of the program:

• Students can take ITEC 830, Design of Instructional Multimedia, for their third core requirement.
• Students can take ITEC 850, Design and Management of Training Projects, for their third core requirement.
• Students can take ITEC 816, Computer Resource Specialist, for their third core requirement.

Electives

Students may choose fifteen units of electives within the department or in related disciplines. For help in selection, electives are divided into three groups, E-Learning and Multimedia Design and Development, Training Design and Development, and Technology Integration for Teachers. Students should select electives in consultation with an adviser.

On-line course descriptions are available.

Prerequisite Course

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 894, Creative Work Project, or ITEC 895, Field Study.

Creative Work Project Requirements. In order to complete the creative work, students must design, develop, and produce an instructional product or work. The instructional unit may be in any medium—print, video, multimedia, or web-based. The instructional design process must be documented in writing, and include a review of the instructional significance of the product, description of the design and production process, and product usability review. Students must provide a CD-ROM which contains the instructional product and the design documents.

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 unit may be in any medium—print, video, multimedia, or web-based. The instructional design process must be described in writing and include a review of the instructional need and significance of the project, research review, description of the design process, formative evaluation, and conclusions. Students must provide a CD-ROM which contains the instructional unit and the design documents.

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 training design and development area 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 advance to this status, they must indicate that they have the following academic preparation or practical experience.

• Students should have foundation competency in computer skills. If students are not computer literate, they may be required to take a computer fundamentals course, such as ITEC 711 or 712 (equivalent courses). This course cannot be applied toward the certificate.

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 receive a marginal pass or who fail the GET will be required to take and pass an additional course in English skills development with at least a grade of B. The course will be selected with the advice of an adviser.

Program Requirements

Students are required to take nine units of core requirements and nine units of electives. The selection of electives is based on student interest and needs and done with the advice of an adviser.

Core Requirements

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. Since the certificate is focused on training design and development, it is strongly suggested that students choose from that group. However, the choice of electives will depend on the students' interests, needs, and backgrounds.

Prerequisite Courses

Program

The minimal requirement for completion is eighteen 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 Division of Graduate Studies. 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 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