This programme will help you understand the significance of information and communication technology (ICT) for the support of formal and informal learning. The degree is managed by the Nottingham School of Education but is strongly supported by the University's Learning Sciences Research Institute. This ensures your study will be located in a significant interdisciplinary environment.
Two thirds of the Masters degree comprises taught modules. While one third comprises supervised dissertation research. For the taught part, half of its credits comprise three core modules. Other taught modules are chosen from a list of electives. This allows students with special interests (particularly in Psychology or Computer Science) to develop a distinctive flavour to their study programme.
The programme is more about the "why?" of technology and education than the "how?". So, it offers an academic environment for study – furnishing a chance for critical study of policy, practice and theory. It is not a teaching qualification Neither does it offer skills training: it will not formally instruct you in the use of specialised ICT teaching resources.
However, although such practical experience is not the main aim, the course will still provide a relevant sampling of hands-on experience in activities relevant to the goals of critical analysis. Thus, students have access to usability labs, video-conferencing facililties, representative classroom software, handheld learning tools, and virtual learning environments. In addition, students make visits to sites of educational practice and ICT training and use software tools for a small development project. Finally, the teaching itself will make use of such technologies as blogs, wikis, web-conferencing, podcasts, VLEs, eportfolios, classroom voting systems, interactive white boards ... and so students will get direct introductions to all such tools within their own learning experience. Finally, there will be access to a range of expertise from University of Nottingham staff and regular contact with leading researchers in the field - as these visitors deliver weekly research and practice seminars to the LSRI community.
The MA is available part time and full time (full time in face to face mode only). it is intended for anyone seeking to advance their career in education technology, e-learning and educational policy, as well as for those with a desire for further research in the learning sciences.
2006 saw the first graduation from this course : read comments of graduates here
See student Li Shan's video project on YouTube summarising the course
