Education: Learning Technology

This course is subject to final approval.

This course is aimed at people from the education, business and training sector responsible for managing, delivering and integrating ICT into and across programmes; as well as those with an interest in developing e-learning policy and practice initiatives. The course blends underpinning theory with professional practice and has been developed for the working professional that wants to make themselves more adept at learning technology for business, enterprise, and education.

Why study Education: Learning Technology?

This education award in Learning Technology draws upon the key strengths of our academic staff and the proven track record of Bath Spa University delivering excellent provision at undergraduate and postgraduate level in this discipline. The course offers a range of modules including ‘learning and knowledge technology’. This core module introduces participants to various learning theories and how these connect to integrating learning technologies into and across the curriculum of any education and training programme.  Participants will have the opportunity to learn new techniques for combining e-learning with distance education and suitable learning theories. The course is to be delivered as supervised distance learning via online resources, providing access to the global adult working professional.

Course structure

The course is structured over three trimesters (thirds) and totals 180 credits (90 ECTS). It is available online-only. You can start in September or February and will study for 60 credits per trimester. In your first trimester you will study the MA Education core module Education: Economics, Politics and Society (30 credits) plus your award core module (30 credits). In the second trimester you will study the core module Social Science Research (30 credits), plus two 15-credit elective modules, one of which may be a shared elective from another MA award. In your third trimester you will research and write your Dissertation (60 credits) on a topic relevant to your award.

Modules

Trimester 1

In your first trimester you will study two compulsory core modules totalling 60 credits.

Core Module:

Education: Economics, Politics and Society (30 credits) explores how education can be understood in a complex and globalised world where it is seen by many governments as a significant factor in economic growth and competition. You will learn how to question the policies and organisations involved in defining the purposes, content and outcomes of education.

Award Core Module:

Learning and Knowledge Technology (30 credits)

Trimester 2

In your second trimester you will study one compulsory core module, and two 15 credit elective modules, one of which may be a shared elective from another MA award. This will total 60 credits.

Compulsory Core Module:

Social Science Research (30 credits) sets educational research within the broader context of the social sciences and introduces a range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies and methods from which you can select the most appropriate for your dissertation.

Elective Modules:

Learning Technology for Business and Enterprise (option 15 credits)

Educational Applications of Digital Media (option 15 credits)

Technology, pedagogy & society (shared option 15 credits)

Trimester 3 

In your third trimester you will research and write your Dissertation (60 credits) on a topic relevant to your award.

Dissertation (60 credits) enables you to study and research an aspect of education theory, policy or practice in depth, guided by an expert to arrive at your own synthesis of a topic to take forward into your career.

Course assessment

There are no written exams on this course; each module is assessed through coursework. This typically involves an essay of 2,500 words for a 15 credit module or 5,000 words for a 30 credit module. For some modules assessment may be by an e-presentation or alternative online activity. The project dissertation is 15,000 – 20,000 words and focuses on an area agreed with a specialist tutor, who will offer guidance on structure and academic writing.

The main emphasis of this award is upon applied, project-based assessments, along with case studies and academic e-presentations. You will complete this program with an online portfolio of your work supervised via email and Skype.

All modules are taught through online activities and individual supervised tutorials making use of facilities such as Skype.

Teaching methods

Online discussion groups and formative assessment tasks will be supported via the university Minerva virtual learning environment. This online course therefore makes extensive use of online teaching and learning resources. This will include a combination of individual and shared learning experiences using Minerva. Assessment methods will be linked to professional learning tasks that will include coursework e-portfolios and presentations along with other assignment formats such as reports and a final dissertation project. 

Staff / Tutors

• Dr Steven J Coombs: Head of Department for Continuing Professional Development
• Dana Ruggerio: Senior Lecturer in Learning Technology
• Emma Asprey: Senior Lecturer in ICT

Application method

Download the application form from www.bathspa.ac.uk/study-with-us/postgraduate/how-do-i-apply.

For special information for international students, including entry requirements, visits to your country, fees and scholarships go to www.bathspa.ac.uk/international.

Course enquiries

For all enquiries please contact Cathryn Orchard, MA Education Administrator:

Telephone: +44 1225 875593

E-mail: cpdadmin@bathspa.ac.uk

Entry requirements

You will need to have a bachelor’s degree from a recognised higher education institution. The content and subject matter of your degree is open. For overseas, non-native speakers of English, a minimum language level of IELTS 6.5, or equivalent, is required.

Career opportunities

ICT coordinators and managers, curriculum developers and designers, e-learning specialists, trainers, HR, teachers wanting to move into distance learning/ curriculum development.