Distance Education and E-learning (Tehnology)

Course Overview

Acquire the education you need to effectively manage essential technology-related aspects of the distance education program development, including setting up appropriate technology configurations, selecting tools, media integration, course design, and development. This specialization builds on the core course ' OMDE 603 Technology in Distance Education ' which gives grounding in the relevant history pertaining to media and technology in distance education. The course sets a framework guiding the appropriate technology choice. The specialization builds on that with two further specialized courses providing an in depth understanding of both asynchronous and synchronous technologies. Career PathThe MDE is a post-graduate program. The overall mission of the program is to educate leaders and managers of distance education and e-learning ' a rapidly developing and expanding field. The professional profile itself is developing and, consequently, job titles are often generic (such as 'program director'). One needs to read a job description to find out the necessary details about the tasks and job requirements. Many graduates bring with them competencies from their first degree and professional experience on which they may want to build. For example, some graduates with a technical background, may find that the MDE provides just the 'added value' to qualify them as a technical director in a training institution. Such a position would not be available to all MDE graduates, nor would the position be available without the MDE (or an equivalent degree). The careers available for the MDE graduates and their level may also depend on prior experiences and qualifications. (It may, however, be the case that a MDE graduate of the policy and management specialization who has prior specialist ICT competencies may be eligible as technical director.) The Master of Distance Education and E-learning program serves a number of careers at mid-, or high-level positions, depending on the prior level of experience of the candidate. Distance Education Technology, Graduates of the distance education technology specialization, depending on their background, can find positions such as: Technical director (for example, involved in setting up the appropriate technology configuration; has a profound understanding of the technology options combined with an awareness of pedagogical objectives) Production manager (for example, supervises and guides course development processes and media integration; awareness of what is technically feasible and what is pedagogically intended, is necessary, and bears on the management of the development and production process) Technical expert/advisor/consultant (for example, advises setting up distance education centers or courses; evaluates the efficiency and appropriateness of technology configurations; works as consultant for international organizations on aspects of technology/media choice) Coordinator of online instruction (for example, advises on the instructional design, the functionalities of the learning and content management systems, and the setting up of the faculty and student support systems) Online course support specialist (for example, creates shells for online course development; faculty support; maintains critical data and course information)