What Makes This Course So Special?
ICT is a rapidly changing field and is not confined to simple awareness of hardware, software and network infrastructures. ICT has strong social, cultural and political dimensions and many new forms of educational practice cannot be understood, nor their potential realised, without understanding these deeper implications of technology in education.
Taught with enthusiasm and knowledge this course affords scope for a range of students with varying backgrounds to benefit from higher level study and research into the effectiveness (or otherwise) of ICT for teaching and learning.
Course Intro
This course is for you if you are a practitioner or education professional looking to undertake higher level studies of ICT in education. You may be a graduate or a non-graduate with relevant experience.
You will experience a course that is grounded in a broadly based critical theory approach that aims to think beyond the norms of current educational practice. You will have both an opportunity to read widely and deeply in the subject area and an opportunity to undertake a practical action-research or case study approach to testing particular aspects of ICT in a teaching and learning setting.
In addition, as part of the MA Education programme this course offers you a wide range of modules to choose from to enable you to tailor your course to meet your professional development needs.
What you study
In common with all of the MA Education programmes this MA consists of 5 modules: two ICT specialist modules, the core module Research Methodology, the Dissertation module and in addition, you may choose from one of the several additional option modules that are available.
Specialist modules:
Learning and Technology with ICT
This module explores such topics as past and current policy initiatives in ICT, the place of ICT in the school curriculum, the role of ICT in everyday life, and the relationship between technology, culture and learning. Learning theories are considered, particularly where these have been applied to the use of ICT in teaching and learning, and the global character of knowledge distribution and creation is investigated. This module also aims to encourage a ‘horizon scanning’ approach in order to respond to the challenges presented to education by the emergence of a digital knowledge economy.
Collaborative/Individual Professional Project
Building on your knowledge and experience acquired in the first module, you will undertake an ICT project with the help of your tutor.
You will then select one other relevant module from within the MA Education Programme.
To complete the full MA you will present a 17,000 word research dissertation and a 3,000 word research dissemination plan.
A programme specification for this course is available.
Where Next?
A Masters degree is required for professional advancement in numerous occupations and is widely seen as evidence of a successful commitment to high level professional development. An MA award demonstrates that you have developed advanced level skills in analysis, evaluation and research.
You may then consider progression to an MPhil or a PhD.
Interview Required
Yes. After you have made your application an informal interview will be required.
Assessment
Each module is normally assessed by a written assignment of 5,000 words.
Student Soundbite
“I was impressed by the range of modules offered as part of the MA Education programme here at Newport. The choice allows you to tailor your course to your needs.”