Continuing the Certificate Series, where I have been describing and discussing each of the certificates in online teaching that are focused on the K-12 environment. The seventh one I wanted to discuss is not actually a certificate at all, but a complete Master’s program. You see the Master’s of Arts in Instructional Technology/Media at University of Central Florida has a E-Learning Track.
The E-Learning Track is described as:
The e-Learning Track is designed for educators and instructional designers across settings. The track focuses on the design, delivery and evaluation of high-quality e-learning materials that are used for both totally online and blended (aka. hybrid) learning environments. Candidates gain employment in business and industry, K-12, and higher education as organizations across sectors work to optimize the use of telecommunication technologies to enhanced individual and collaborative learning.
The Master’s program requires students to complete five courses in common with students in other tracks, along with four courses specific to e-learning.
EME 6507: Multimedia for Education and Training
Emphasis on the elements and applications of multimedia and technology in multiple instructional settings. Includes authoring, design, alternative delivery systems, hardware, and software.EME 6457: Distance Education
Instruction and how it is delivered at a distance. Examines technologies, processes, and products of distance education with emphasis on e-learning.EME 6417: Interactive Online and Virtual Teaching Environments
Explores issues and trends in educational and human to computer interactions theories as applied to virtual and online participatory learning environments.EME 6458: Virtual Teaching and the Digital Educator
Explores practical applications of instructional theories related to virtual and online participatory learning environments.
I will be honest and say that when I first reviewed this program, I did not have it slated for inclusion in this series. Even after I was contacted by folks from the program, I did not initially plan to include it because the information on the program website and even the course descriptions give no indication that it has any real K-12 focus. However, as I was doing some searching around the UCF website for any additional information about the program, I came across this 9-page memo entitled “Proposed Curriculum Change – M.A. Instructional Technology (e-learning Track).” It was reading this memo that convinced me of the K-12 focus of this program.
I should note that this is the only program that will be featured in this series that is a complete Master’s program. Many of the other certificates can be used towards a Master’s degree, but this is the only one that isn’t a certificate in something and then a Master’s of instructional or educational technology.
Thanks for this Michael and the other summaries. I would have liked to see them explicitly say they addressed equity and access, as well as pedagogy, but the connection with FLVS gives me hope those topics are included somewhere in the program.
Comment by Ray Rose — September 1, 2011 @ 4:27 pm |
I’ll be honest with you Ray, I don’t feel that I was really qualified to comment on that aspect. I felt comfortable talking about the number of type of courses; whether it was a strict K-12 focus, had a K-12 track, or included K-12 content; if it included a field placement; whether it led to a teacher certification endorsement; even the nature of the courses and what those courses could be used for. But beyond that I didn’t feel too comfortable talking.
Plus I wasn’t examining syllabi or anything, just course descriptions. Syllabi might make for another interesting Fall series. I’ve also been toying with the idea of having an online book club.
Comment by mkbnl — September 1, 2011 @ 6:33 pm |
[...] University of Central Florida [...]
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