M.A. in Education: Technologies and Learning Systems
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Introduction1
The program imparts advanced academic knowledge, skills, professional qualifications and specialization in curriculum planning and development and in the informed integration of technologies into a range of learning systems. The program aims to deepen the understanding and insight of those involved in teaching, learning and curriculum planning as part of their daily endeavors.
Target audience
The program is intended for teachers, principals and other position holders on all levels of the formal education system, for those qualifying themselves for these positions, and for individuals interested in teaching and operating learning systems and continuing education in other public and private sectors such as: professional training settings, the high-tech industry, the military, healthcare providers, banks and community frameworks.
Areas of Specialization
The program of study includes two areas of specialization: Learning Systems and Learning Technologies.2 Both specializations are offered in two tracks:
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Program of studies without a thesis
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Program of studies with a thesis (for outstanding students)
The program of study is described below.
Admission Requirements
Candidates with an undergraduate degree in various disciplines from a recognized academic institution who completed their studies with a grade point average of 80 or above may apply. Admission is subject to the decision of the departmental Master’s degree admission committee.
The admission committee will decide whether candidates need to take qualifying courses before beginning the program and in which fields. The required qualifying courses will not exceed 18 credits. Students required to take qualifying courses will be accorded “probationary” status. Based on the student’s achievements in the qualifying courses, the committee will decide whether the student will be admitted as degree candidate. The nature of the qualifying courses depends on the student’s prior study background. The qualifying courses will usually include one or more of the following: (a) Introduction to Statistics for Students of Social Sciences I (30111), (b) Philosophy of Education (10765), (c) Educational Psychology (10125) or Sociology of Education (10485).
Students accepted into the program are expected to be proficient in basic computer applications such as Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Internet (working with browsers and e-mail), as such skills will be necessary throughout the studies.
Students with probationary status who are required to take only one qualifying course will be allowed to take one of the basic courses in the program while concurrently taking the qualifying course. Continuation of their studies is conditional on approval of their transfer from “probationary” to “degree candidate” status.
Transfer from “probationary” to “degree candidate” status
Students with probationary status who are required to take qualifying courses will be eligible for “degree candidate” status if they receive a passing grade in all qualifying courses.
Accreditation of Prior Studies
Students who took courses relevant to the program in the past as part of a graduate program at a recognized academic institution (but were not included in a degree awarded by that institution) may be granted accreditation for up to 20 credits. Students who wish to receive accreditation for prior studies should consult an advisor before beginning their studies. Additional details can be found in the Regulations Pertaining to Graduate Studies.
Program of Studies
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a. Basic studies in both specializations - 20 credits |
Credits |
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4 |
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4 |
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4 |
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4 |
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4 |
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b. Required courses in each specialization – 16 credits |
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■ Learning Technologies |
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Varieties of Learning Technologies: Principles and Applications (14016) |
4 |
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Instructional Design and Evaluation of Computer Environments (14002) |
4 |
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Two of the following courses, including at least one of the two courses: 14013 or 14017 |
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Approaches and Models in Designing Computer-Based Instructional Systems (14013)3 |
4 |
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Integrating Learning Technologies in Various Disciplines (14017)3 |
4 |
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4 |
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Teachers in a Changing World: Trends and Challenges (14019)3 |
4 |
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■ Learning Systems |
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4 |
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4 |
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Two of the following courses, including at least one of the two courses: 14012 or 14019 |
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Developing Curricula in Various Subject Matters: Theory and Practice (14012)3 |
4 |
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Teachers in a Changing World: Trends and Challenges (14019)3 |
4 |
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4 |
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4 |
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c. Electives in both specializations 4 |
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In the non-thesis track: at least 8 credits |
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From Search for Information to Construction of Knowledge in Technology-Rich Environments (14015) |
4 |
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Distance Teaching Universities: The Democratization of Higher Education (14014) |
4 |
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Choice in Education: Schools and Alternative Processes (14001) |
4 |
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3 |
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4 |
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4 |
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Technology in the Service of People with Special Needs (14022) |
4 |
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Students in the non-thesis track only may choose one of the following advanced undergraduate courses as an elective (if they haven’t taken them in the past): |
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6 |
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6 |
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6 |
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6 |
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d. Seminar papers |
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Students in both tracks must submit two seminar papers, of which at least one is based on an empirical study. The seminar papers must be written in the required courses marked with note 3 listed in section b above. The paper must be submitted within three months of completing the course. |
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Study Tracks
Non-thesis track
In the non-thesis track, students must submit a final project or take a final exam.
Final project: Students must demonstrate the ability to integrate and apply the theoretical and practical principles dealt with at all stages of their studies with respect to planning, development and assessment of study materials or of the integration of technology into teaching. In planning and carrying out the project, students are required to demonstrate ability to synthesize, mastery of relevant bodies of knowledge, and the ability to make decisions, solve problems and write a scientific paper according to accepted academic standards. The scope of the project is 50-100 pages. Additional guidelines related to the project can be found on the website of the MA in Education.
Final exam: Students must demonstrate the ability to critically analyze scientific literature and to integratively apply the theoretical and practical principles they learned at all stages of their studies with respect to issues in their area of specialization. There is a separate exam for each specialization. Students who take the exam may not register for a final project or for a thesis, irrespective of whether or not they passed the exam. Further details about the exam and its administrative aspects can be found on the website of the MA in Education.
Thesis track
Only outstanding students (GPA 90 or above) who completed three basic courses (Theories of Learning and Instruction, 14003; Curriculum Development and Implementation, 14008 and Research Methods in Education, 14009) and three courses in their specialization including at least one seminar course may apply for the thesis track. The departmental Master’s degree committee will consider each application and inform students whether their application has been approved within two months of its submission.
All students in the thesis track are required to choose a research topic and to formulate an empirical research question. In planning and carrying out the research, and writing the thesis, students must show their ability to conduct empirical research, in which they integrate and apply the research methods and the theoretical and practical principles studied with respect to the planning, development and assessment of curricula or learning technologies. In planning and carrying out the research, students are required to demonstrate independent and creative thinking and the ability to make decisions, solve problems and write a scientific paper according to accepted academic standards and scope. Additional guidelines related to the thesis can be found on the website of the MA in Education.
Study Method
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Studies are based on a combination of reading materials (books, collections of articles, and study guides), face-to-face meetings, and educational technologies. Much of the study activity is through the course websites on the Internet.
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In some of the courses, the meetings may be mandatory.
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The number of study groups and their distribution depends on the number of students enrolled in each course. In some cases, only one group that meets in the center of the country will be opened, or taught via online distance teaching.
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Courses are not offered in the summer semester except for Metaphor in Educational Thought (10568).
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At this point, the program is not open to students abroad.
Courses per Semester and Duration of Studies
In their first semester in the program, students may register for no more than two courses, after which, students may register for no more than three courses. Requests to register for more than this limit should be made to the departmental Master’s committee.
Students are required to complete their studies within 7 years of beginning their studies (not including qualifying courses). Students who have not completed their studies within this period may apply to the departmental Master’s committee for an extension. The committee will approve the request in exceptional cases, and subject to the requirements in force at that time.
Degree Eligibility
Students will be awarded a Master’s degree (M.A.) if they have fulfilled the following conditions:
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They have taken all the qualifying courses (if required)
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They have successfully completed all the courses in their program of studies
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They have written a thesis or a final project, or taken a final exam
Final Degree Grade
The final degree grade is weighted as follows:
Non-thesis track: 60% – average grade in all regular courses; 20% – average grade of two seminar courses; 20% – final project or final exam grade.
Thesis track: 40% – average grade in all regular courses; 20% – average grade of two seminar courses; 40% – thesis grade.
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The details below are subject to the Regulations Pertaining to Graduate Studies. |
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Students accepted to the program will only select a specialization at the end of their first year of studies. |
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Students must write a seminar paper in this course. |
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Among the electives, students may choose courses they did not take in section b (required courses), in either area of specialization. If students choose to take a seminar course, they are required to submit a seminar paper. |
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Until the Fall 2010 semester, students in the non-thesis track were required to take 12 elective credits, and students in the thesis track were required to take 4 elective credits. Students who, due to this requirement, took an extra elective course in the Fall 2010 semester will be asked to decide, prior to receiving confirmation of degree eligibility, whether or not to count the course in the computation of the final degree grade. |
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The prerequisite for this course is admission to the graduate program. Background in the field is recommended. |