Dublin City University

Education & Training Management - eLearning Stream

The MSc in Education and Training Management (eLearning) has been designed to meet the needs of participants from the widely varying fields of Education (primary, post-primary, further, higher and adult education), Industry, Health, Community, Creative Arts, NGOs, Governmental Departments and State Agencies.

Over the course of the programme you will:

•Explore the effective use of collaborative tools and digital technologies for learning.

•Creatively use multimedia authoring tools and methods for creating learning content and online learning courses to enhance workplace practice.

•Reflect on your professional practice and be aware of the values that shape your practice.

•Engage in action research which involves investigating your own practice or a situation with the intent to bring about a change or improvement.

•Examine philosophies of education, theories of learning, developments in neuroscience, and culture and organisations

Programme

The course is offered through a blended approach whereby participants benefit from synchronous web conferencing and face-to-face settings. A defining aspect of the programme is learning together as participants are encouraged to collaboratively reflect on and share their learning through a range of activities and social networking.

The Masters in Education and Training Management (e-Learning) programme is a two-year part-time programme. The start date for the programme is late September. The Graduate Diploma element of the programme consists of 6 modules and runs over 3 semesters. The programme takes place on scheduled Wednesday evenings from 6.30-8.30pm (webinar) and on scheduled weekends (face-to-face).

The dissertation element of the MSc. programme is a piece of independent research. The dissertation is researched and written in the second year of the programme (January - end of June). Within the e-Learning programme there are two options that satisfy the dissertation requirement. Students can carry out applied research which consists of a written piece of 15,000-20,000 words or a creative piece, which consists of the creation of an educational video or online training/educational resources that supports and enhances learning, and a written component.

Through the course of the programme participants examine philosophies of education, theories of learning, developments in neuroscience, and culture and organisations. They gain skills and knowledge in the effective design and use of collaboration learning technologies, authoring tools and videography. In addition, they are encouraged to creatively design and integrate technology to enhance their workplace practice.

Why DCU

The programme is delivered by a team of academics and practising experts with applied experience in eLearning, Learning and Leadership.

Programme participants come from a range of backgrounds and so contribute to a breadth of experience and a dynamic learning environment.

Participants are invited to participate in European and international e-Learning research activities organised by the International Centre for Innovation and Workplace Learning at DCU. This provides opportunities for course participants to gain international experience and develop their e-Learning skillset.

WHY DO THIS PROGRAMME?

The programme is designed to provide the skills, knowledge and understanding to enable you to make effective and informed decisions about how to design, use and evaluate e-Learning to meet your organisation's educational and training requirements.

Past graduates have highlighted the following benefits after completing the programme:

•Career development i.e. promotions or opening up of new career opportunities

•Application of multimedia and advanced digital skills

•Specialist knowledge: theories of learning, philosophy, implications of brain research to learning, instructional design, change management, reflective practice and computational thinking

•Personal development i.e. increased confidence and sense of well-being

Entry requirements

General Entry Requirements

Applicants must have a good honours degree (minimum 2.2) with three years substantial experience working in a recognised education/training environment. In certain circumstances, applicants not possessing the above qualifications may be considered if they are able to present, at interview, evidence of professional experience and responsibility in a relevant area of work, and high-level interest in the research literature relevant to one of the themes highlighted in the programme. Such applicants will be required to submit a written assignment (Science and Health words) or portfolio prior to interview.

Candidates should note that an interview is part of the selection process for this programme. Shortlisted candidates are expected to be available for interview. Candidates shortlisted for interview will be able to book their interview through the Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC) website (www.pac.ie/dcu). Interview slots will be allocated on a first come first served basis. It is not possible to accommodate other interview dates.

Queries on completed applications can be made by e-mail to postgraduateadmissions@dcu.ie

Duration

2 years part-time.

Careers or further progression

Careers

If you are already in employment, this programme offers an opportunity to advance your career in the education or training environment, to improve your leadership and eLearning skills, or to switch to a new career in eLearning, training management, leadership or elsewhere in education.

This programme offers the opportunity to:

•Develop a practitioner researcher approach to the creative design, development, and evaluation of multimedia and technology for learning in a range of work contexts.

•Further develop yourself as a teacher, lecturer, leader.

•Conduct research in technology and learning.

•Advance your career as a researcher and contribute to research and innovation projects

•Impact the change in your organisation.

•Contribute to policy, practice and theory.

The MSc as a management qualification has allowed participants to make a career change. Participants have moved into industry training roles, and the academy. The dissertation in particular allows this opportunity to build a new career pathway.