Guest post

Should teachers Take on online Educational Technology graduate program?

Technology Education is a growing and important field for teachers. Teachers need effective strategies to incorporate educational technologies into the classroom. Some teachers have an understanding of social media and other education tools but have a difficult time translating their knowledge into effective classroom practice. Educational Technology Master's degree programs provide the knowledge and skills teachers need to make their teaching more effective through the use of today's technologies.

MET and MSET

The Master of Educational Technology (MET) is a practitioner-oriented program designed to teach effective use of technology in the classroom, e-learning design, and school technology coordination. The programs cover the important trends and theories about learning and teaching with technology. The Master of Science, Educational Technology (MSET) is a research oriented program, preparing students for advanced studies in educational technology.

Typically, teachers taking an MET program discover useful technology they were previously unaware of. They learn how to find useful information and resources. The programs also provide the technical and research skills needed to evaluate the effectiveness of integrating technology into the classroom.

Online Master of Educational Technology Programs

Online programs yielding this degree typically require 30 to 36 credits and take from one-and-a-half to two years to complete. The typical on-campus 3 credit course last 15 weeks. Colleges such as Michigan State University, located in the United States, offer accelerated online Educational Technology Master's degree programs, which allows students to complete a 3 credit course in only 8 weeks. In the MSU program, students are expected to spend 18 to 24 hours per week covering the assignment material and completing the assignments.

Some colleges providing online MET programs, such as Boise State University, another American school, customize course assignments to a teacher's specific work setting.

MET programs cover a wide array of technology topics, including:

• Website development


• Digital video production


• Graphic design


• General productivity tools


• Interactive media


• Web 2.0 technologies


• Developing multimedia materials


• Using the Interment in the classroom


• Podcasting


• Educational hardware systems

Elective courses include topics such as:

• Issues in distance education


• Learning, technologies and organizations


• Instructional needs analysis


• Developing effective training with technology


• Advanced instructional design


• Computer interface design for learning

Educational Technology Certificate Programs

Certificate programs often focus on a particular aspect of educational technology. Some schools, such as George Washington University in the U.S., offer graduate certificate programs in subjects such as:

• E-learning


• Instructional design


• Multimedia development


• Training and educational technology


• Leadership in educational technology


• Integrating technology into education

Professional Network

Most online programs provide students with the opportunity to communicate and learn from each other on a daily basis. Students establish a professional network that supports them throughout their teaching careers.

This web page offers links to some online graduate degree programs in Educational Technology provided by schools located in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

The University of Sidney is another top school that provides an online Educational Technology Master's degree program.

The University of British Columbia, located in Canada, offers an online Master's of Educational Technology degree developed by an international partnership. The program has attracted students from 35 countries, including New Zealand.

(It should be noted the author has no connection with any of the above mentioned schools).

Online Master's of Educational Technology programs provide teachers with the knowledge and skills they need to enhance the learning process through the use of current technologies.

Brian Jenkins, a BrainTrack.com staff writer, contributes feature articles about careers in high school teaching, among other career fields.