Sunday, 27 May 2012

Online Degree in Instructional Design: Overviews by Level

Instructional design degree programs are designed for working professionals who have an interest in improving the efficiency and positive impact of educational instruction. Students can find online instructional design programs at the master's level.

Online Master's Degree in Instructional Design

This online program, primarily for teachers and corporate trainers, emphasizes the use of modern technology in designing specialized curriculum and training programs. Master's degree programs cover subjects such as theory of adult learning, psychology of education and learner competency evaluation. Specialized programs are available with a focus on instructional design for online learning. Possible online degree titles include Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology, Master of Education in Instructional Design and Master of Science in Education - Online Instructional Design.

Program Information and Requirements

Online instructional design master's degree programs can be completed in around two years and are approximately 30-40 credit-hours in length. Programs can be found in fully online and hybrid formats. Some courses are synchronous or have to be taken at a specific time, while other courses are asynchronous and can be taken at any time. Internships and a master's project may also be included in the program.
An adequate high-speed Internet connection is required to enroll in an online instructional design program. Students must have an up-to-date operating system and a Web browser to access online course management systems.

Online Instructional Design Master's Degree Program Courses

Education in the Future Course

This course outlines contemporary technologies and possible future technologies used in education. Topics include nanotechnology, artificial intelligence and educational gaming. Students analyze technology's impact on learning in a variety of business and educational settings.

Technology Integration Course

Students research the dynamic between humans and computers in order to assess the impact technology plays on learning. Students are exposed to technological trends being developed, such as online education, to improve the learning experience.

Learning Environment Design Course

In this course, students learn the fundamental principles of designing education technology. The course focuses on metaphorical scenarios that are helpful in coming up with new educational designs. Topics include student learning center design, effective learning experiences and design technology models.

Career Information for Graduates

Graduates of this type of degree program can find careers in industries such as education, military, healthcare and business. Students can obtain job titles like learning technology specialist, project manager or instructional coordinator. Instructional coordinators are in charge of using current technology to organize curriculum and delivery of coursework and learning processes.
According the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in May 2008 there were 133,900 instructional coordinators nationwide. The BLS projected an increase 23% for this career from 2008-2018 (www.bls.gov).

Continuing Education Information

Ph.D. programs in instructional design are available for students who wish to pursue in-depth research on the subject and develop new technologies, as well as obtain leadership and academia positions within the field. However, these programs are rarely available in online formats.

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