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Below: COURSE DESCRIPTIONS for ETL Program
Educational Technology Leadership
Master of Arts in Education and Human Development
George Washington University
EDUC220J: History of Educational Technology
EDUC230: Managing Computer Applications
EDUC231: Educational Hardware Systems
EDUC232: Applying Educational Media and Technology
EDUC234: Computers in Education & Human Development
EDUC235: Design & Implementation of Educational Software
EDUC239: Learning, Technology & Organizations
EDUC265: Developing World Wide Web Materials for Education – Basic Applications and Designs
EDUC265i2: Developing World Wide Web Materials for Education – Advanced Applications and Designs
EDUC220J: History of Educational Technology
Course Description: What is the meaning of Educational Technology? Is it a process or a product? Is it as modern as the computer, or as ancient as primitive civilizations? When the term "technology" is bantered about in casual conversation these days, it usually implies hardware of some sort, if not computers specifically. But does "technology" extend past the hardware to the software . . . then to the people who use it . . . and to the organization of the people who are using it? Is technology a system or is it the stuff that makes the system work? Can there be a change in technology in technology without a change in tools or machinery?
If you don't know the answers to these questions, you need not feel embarrassed. These definitions change according to the perspective of the person attempting to nail them down, as well as the systems, hardware, etc., available to that person at that point in time.
The objective of this course is to provide the student with a historical background of Educational Technology. Each student is to come up with their own definition and interpretation of what Educational Technology means and does. Most of the grade in this course will come from a major research paper conducted by each student. The topic of choice is open as long as the subject and contents of the paper remain within the parameter of the course's focus on history.
EDUC230: Managing Computer Applications
Course Description: This course provides managers and emergent professionals in all sectors of the economy with the essential computer application knowledge, competencies, and skills needed in most work settings. This course is divided into 14 sessions (plus one orientation session) addressing topics important in improving productivity through effective use of computer technology. During the course, students will develop a Strategic Management Plan (SMP) for a selected topic that can be implemented in a work setting they have selected.
EDUC231: Educational Hardware Systems
Course Description: This course is designed to acquaint the student with computers, networks, and related hardware systems that are currently used in instructional programs and formal educational settings found in K-12, post secondary education, and business training and presentation environments. Each of the topics presented will contain background information about the topic, the basics for understanding how the hardware operates, and suggestions regarding the selection and use of each hardware system. The student will be challenged with a number of questions that will stimulate the learning process. The answers to these questions will require research that will involve your discovery of printed or Internet-based resources. Also, don't neglect to use colleagues, vendors, and other experts as resources in answering these questions.
Computer networks will play a large part in the course discussion because of the importance of linking computers. A major part of the student's evaluation will be through the planning and design a thirty-user instructional computer facility.
The projects in this course are designed to promote leadership. A technology leader should be able to utilize the skills of his or her professional community to gather the necessary information and expertise to complete the projects. In one of the projects students are expected to work in groups of two to four on these projects. Of course, the larger the group the higher the expectations for the projects. Projects are evaluated on an individual basis and we recognize that the level of technical expertise available will not be the same for all students. Realize that the instructors have all been-there-done that and recognize the significance of these projects.
EDUC232: Applying Educational Media and Technology
COURSE DESCRIPTION. This course is a foundation class for the Master's Degree program in Educational Technology Leadership at The George Washington University. It provides an introduction to the theory and practice of educational technology. While the primary focus of the course is on the use of technology in school settings, the course will also be relevant to persons involved in training and adult education. The intent of the course is to provide a general understanding of instructional theory and media, and enable educators to make more rationale choices regarding technology. Not only are the key characteristics of different media surveyed, principles and issues concerning their appropriate use are also discussed.
EDUC234: Computers in Education & Human Development
Course Description: This course is designed to give students appropriate foundational knowledge and skill for advanced work in educational computing. Students will be asked to develop a practical but critical understanding of the educational issues surrounding the use of computers in the classroom and training settings including:
 | history of educational computing: its impact on practice & sentiments |
| research perspectives on the current state of educational computing |
| developing a philosophy of educational computing |
| educational criteria for hardware/software selection and evaluation |
| developing worthwhile computer related activities for the classroom |
The course is conducted at a distance by means of streaming video and regular interaction on the internet. Convenient access to a computer equipped with a modem and telecommunications software is necessary to take this course as well as an internet account (including web access).
EDUC235: Design & Implementation of Educational Software
Course Description:
This course provides an opportunity to
learn about the design and implementation issues involved in the creation
of software applications for education and training applications. It
is a hands-on course that requires the completion of an educational
software project. While the project can take any form, it is assumed
that most will be multimedia and/or web-based.
The course is conducted at a distance by means of recorded video and
regular online activities on the World Wide Web. Convenient access
to a computer equipped with a modem and telecommunications software is
necessary to take this course; students are expect to obtain their own
internet accounts as well.
EDUC239: Learning, Technology & Organizations
Course Description: Technology is reshaping how organizations work and how learning takes place in THE WORKPLACE. This course examines such changes in the context of educational technology leadership AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT IN corporations, government/military agencies, associations, schools and universities. Of particular interest are the interactions among and between employees, customers, and management.
EDUC265: Developing World Wide Web Materials for Education – Basic Applications and Designs
The course will look at general applications of web technology in education and will provide the basic knowledge necessary to prepare educational materials for web publishing. Course materials are structured around three broad curricular areas -- Web Applications, Web Design, and Technology Integration. Each will be explored over twelve units.
EDUC265i2: Developing World Wide Web Materials for Education – Advanced Applications and Designs
The World Wide Web is helping to revolutionize educational organizations and systems. This course will examine at a micro level how web technology is reshaping educational environments. We will look at course webs, virtual seminars, global online research communities, and other kinds of new online educational environments that are challenging traditional environments. We will also learn how to design these new online educational environments.
Students in this course are expected to engaged in an intensive independent AND collaborative study of the topics introduced. The course is designed to encourage independent study and to encourage collaborative knowledge building experiences. Student participation in Netforum discussions that take place in the Virtual Classroom and students are encouraged and indeed expected to actively contribute to the building of knowledge on unit topics-- a portion of the grade will be determined by the level of participation. Students are also encouraged to actively use the student forums to exchange information and network with other students. The Course Student Lounge is reserved for students currently taken 220i2 and the ETL Student Lounge is reserved for all students currently enrolled in the ETL program or an ETL course. Occasionally, we may convene class chats and will be advised through the Virtual Classroom to head to a Chat room in the ETL CHAT area.
EDUC268: Power, Leadership, and Education
Course Description: This course will address the following issues: the nature of power, leadership, and education; the relationship of power, leadership, and education leadership models and styles and related issues including:
developing strategies for leadership building the learning organization research perspectives on leadership organizational transformation reconceptualizing teaching and learning
EDUC271: Education Policy
Course Description: What is Policy? In the most general sense, policy is a relatively stable strategy to change the behavior of others for purposes of achieving desired goals. It usually involves "carrots" (incentives) and/or "sticks" (sanctions). Policies are adopted not only to pursue new goals, but also to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and equity with which established goals are achieved. Policies are made by powerful entities, such as national governments and multi-national corporations, but also by less powerful entities, such as teachers and corporate trainers.
Purpose of the Course: This course is designed to help prepare leaders of education and training technology to be effective actors in the policy processes of governments (national, state, and local), corporations, and non-profit organizations. Policy is one of the main means by which leadership is exercised. The course will help students to discern the premises underlying various policies, to participate effectively in the policy process, and to understand the potential and limitations of policy.
The focus of the course will be on helping each student to prepare a substantial policy proposal for a problem or opportunity of interest to him or her. The policy can be for a school, school district, corporation, other large organization, city, county, state, or the federal government. Students are encouraged to introduce their completed proposal in the appropriate arena and advocate for its adoption, but that is not required for this course.
EDUC295: Quantitative Methods II: Research Procedures
Course Description: This course is an introduction to research design, methodology, and rationale in the education and the social/behavior sciences. The purpose of the course is to develop an understanding of basic quantitative research techniques so participants may utilize a wider range of resources in their professional practice. In particular, participants will review descriptive statistical techniques in addition to basic inferential statistics. The course is structured such that participants will develop practical uses for these techniques, including the writing and critiquing of research articles and reports, the development of research proposals, and the implementation of research strategies.