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MTech Educational Technology

The two-year MTech program in Educational Technology prepares students to contribute to the thoughtful design, implementation and assessment of educational media and technology initiatives. The recent decade has seen a major growth in development and deployment of computer and web based learning material, facilitated by major improvements in performance/price ratio of computing platforms and availability of communication bandwidth. This led to a renewed research interest in both pedagogy (how children learn) and andragogy (how adults learn) which in turn, led to the specialization of educational technology. The focus is on learning and teaching with technology as the means, not the mission. We examine cutting-edge technologies that bridge distance and time, highlight the research behind them and the design that goes into them—while continuing to centre on the cognitive, affective and social dimensions of learning. Major pedagogical and andragogical paradigms (including some which were invented at the University’s research centre) and their connections with technology are explored in-depth. On the job they help create meaningful interactive educational products and content for variety of media such as web, TV, PDAs, and so on. Candidates who successfully complete this program are well suited to pursue a wide variety of careers such as:

  • Design & development of Learning Technologies
  • Design & development of Digital Content
  • Curriculum Design
  • Teaching
  • Administration
  • Media
  • Corporate Training
  • Research Educational technologists are those who can meaningfully integrate information technology in teaching-learning processes.

As such, they necessarily require an understanding of both the domains. Students get a chance to contribute to live projects with very well-known researchers in the area of Educational Technology. Many of these projects are interdisciplinary in nature, integrating learning of natural and social sciences and languages with modern computing devices.

Internship Program

The Internship program provides PG students with a chance to gain experience working in interdisciplinary teams on real-life projects of high relevance to an organization. It also helps build a strong resumé to secure a good job at the end of the program. Internships are always conducted on-site, and students are treated like regular employees. All office rules such as timings, holidays, dress code, ID card, etc. are applicable to the students. Each Internship lasts for a full 6 months (one semester) to ensure a meaningful and mutually rewarding experience for the student and organization.

Sample topics include:

1. Integration of synchronous learning with open source LMS

2. Design of a lab for high-end vocational training for disabled people

3. Design of a PDA based communication system for deaf (interdisciplinary – ET & CS)

4. Design of a simulation game for training of Panchayati Raj functionaries

5. Design and implementation of ‘Studio-in-a-box’ for distance teaching

6. Development of web-based simulations for difficult-to-conduct experiments

7. Set up virtual educational tours (e.g. of all medieval era monuments in India)

8. Integrating web-based GIS & GPS in schools geography classes.

A dedicated faculty mentor provides continued guidance and support, beginning with identifying a suitable project and refining it. Working together, an appointed mentor from the organization and a NIIT University faculty mentor provide inputs, supervise student work and carry out regular evaluations. Evaluation parameters are aligned to industry requirements such as:

  • Professional Skills including planning ability, analytical ability, problem-solving ability, quality of technical work, ability to meet deadlines, written and verbal communication skills, consideration to cost-effectiveness, customer focus.
  • Personal Skills includes team-work, initiative, confidence level and integrity.

Career prospects

Educational Technology is an emerging field and a degree in this subject is the path-breaking component of NU’s curriculum. We see a close connect between this degree and the employability of its aspirants in the future. As an Mtech degree holder in Educational Technology, you could develop and manage technologies for face-to-face, online or blended learning. You will work with technologies such as data acquisition for science learning, web technologies such as ASP, learning management systems, and also handheld devices for in-class assessment systems. Expected salaries could well be along the lines of a MBA degree.

Possible job roles for Mtech Educational Technology Degree holders:

  • Project Managers in engineering firms:
    1. Research and develop the creation of new technologies such as data loggers and devices for educational purposes.
  • Technology Architects in schools/colleges/universities:
    1. Analyze learning and learning-management requirements and evolve technology-based solutions to enhance and manage learning.
    2. Research new products and methodologies and implement them to enhance technology based learning initiatives.
    3. Provide leadership and training for faculty in creating and implementing instructional materials across media – print, multimedia, and web.
    4. Provide expert advise to improve laboratories using technology.
  • Learning Technology Specialists in corporations:
    1. Analyze internal training requirements and set up technology solutions for internal training needs.
    2. Conduct and manage technology based training systems efficiently.
  • Content Architects for online instruction in universities:
    1. Provide assistance and collaborate with faculty from various departments in developing online courses and blended learning courses.
  • Online Instructors/Senior Facilitators in universities offering online courses:
    1. Facilitate synchronous and asynchronous learning including setting up the relevant technology and managing learning.

Background & Origins

The Practice School Program of BITS, Pilani was created in 1971 by Prof. CR Mitra based upon the Practice School Program at MIT. NIIT Limited refined this methodology to embed Professional Practice into its flagship GNIIT program. Today, the GNIIT Professional Practice program is the largest education-industry linkage in the world. NIIT University’s Internship Program, in turn, builds upon this cumulative experience to ensure seamless, industry-linked education for all students, thereby laying the foundation to build great careers.

Academic structure

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Elective Course Options

Professional Electives (any three to be taken)

  1. Computer Assisted Simulation & Experimentation
  2. Integrated Studies
  3. Designing Collaborative Classrooms using Technology
  4. Communication Design
  5. Managing Technology for Education
  6. Setting up ICT Systems for e-Governance
  7. Virtual Labs
  8. Creating & Managing Technology Based Assessment Systems
  9. e-Learning Standards
  10. Distance Education Theory & Techniques
  11. Educational Technology for the Differently-abled

Open Electives (any one to be taken)

  1. Communication Design
  2. Professional elective from a stream other than your own stream
  3. A course focusing on industry verticals